(HEALTHeCAREERS.com)--Today, having a degree and experience may not be enough to beat the competition in getting the job you want. You may have all the required technical skills or have graduated from one of the top nursing schools, however, if you are lacking the personal qualities managers are really looking for, you may not make it as the ideal nurse candidate.
While clinical skills are important, a recent article revealed that more than 80% of nurse managers are seeking candidates with professional and interpersonal skills otherwise known as “soft skills.” Soft skills, unlike technical skills, cannot be learned from a book. What specific “soft skills” are nurse managers looking for? The top five soft skills are listed below.
1. Passion.
In essence, nurse managers are seeking nurses who don’t consider their job as just a paycheck. They are looking for candidates who have passion and can communicate their passion to them.
Ways a candidate can show their passion is through their cover letter and interview. In a cover letter, the candidates can include skills and experiences and tailor them to fit the position. Nurse job seekers can also incorporate a succinct reason why they are interested in the position and how they can contribute to the healthcare facility.
At the interview, candidates can articulate how their skills can benefit the organization and describe why the job interested them. When asked a hypothetical question like “What inspired you to become a nurse?” the candidate can show passion by including a personalized story rather than making a generic claim that they love to help people.
2. Good work ethic.
Candidates who are reliable, dedicated, productive, and cooperative are all traits that nurse managers seek. They are also looking for those with a strong character who are diligent, honest, and trustworthy. Furthermore, good work ethic increases productivity and strengthens the team. If a candidate has a poor work ethic and neglects their role as “nurturers,” this may reflect in the nursing unit’s quality of care as a whole.
3. Interpersonal skills.
According to a recent survey, 66% of patients who were in a hospital setting felt that their experience could have been improved if the nurses who provided care had better interactions with them. Having better interactions would have improved the satisfaction of the care the patients received. Ninety-eight percent of the practicing nurses who were surveyed felt they needed more training in these areas. Because interpersonal skills are a big part of improving the patient experience, nurse managers are highly attracted to those candidates who possess them. These skills include the ability to communicate effectively with patients, physicians, and coworkers.
4. Can thrive in a fast paced environment.
A nurse must have the ability to confidently work in a fast-paced environment and to make quick decisions. The candidate should be one who can “think on their feet” and make good decisions. The nurse must be ready to prepare for any unexpected emergency and react accordingly. For example, if a patient is suddenly in respiratory distress, the nurse must be able to assess the cause of the problem, the appropriate steps to take, and who should be contacted.
5. If you are the right “fit."
Nurse managers are looking for candidates who they see can fit into the unit’s structure and culture. In order to help candidates determine whether he or she is right for the job, nurse managers may provide a tour of the healthcare facility and discuss advancement opportunities related to the position. Another way a nurse hiring manager can help the candidate determine whether or not the job is a good fit for them is by having them meet the people that they would be working with. This will give the candidate a sense of how the workplace environment would be like.
Keep these five tips in mind as you continue in your job search. By knowing what nurse managers are looking for, you will be able to focus on becoming a more competitive candidate by honing in on your soft skills. Remember, nurses are caring, compassionate, and committed. They are the front liners in patient care providing a positive impact in the lives of others.
Read more nurse career tips. Find more nurse jobs by visiting the nurse career center.
About the Author
Michelle Wong researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues for HEALTHeCAREERS.com. .
