Becoming a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) is more than just getting a certificate and showing up for work. You have to be a certain type of person if you really want to thrive as a nurse.

Nurses are nurturing by nature, hence the name.

That means you have to possess qualities that allow you to nourish, heal, and connect with other people in a way that’s more than just handing them a prescription, you have to be a people person.

Nursing can be one of the most challenging fields to start.

If you’re still trying to decide if nursing is the right path for you, take a look at the list of the top five qualities you need to be a great LVN.

Let’s see if you recognize some of these traits in yourself.

Top 5 Qualities of a Great LVN

You’re Compassionate

You’ve always felt the world more deeply than other people around you and you have a strong desire to help others. As a licensed vocational nurse, you face patients with their own set of problems, interests, romances, and everything else that compromises this wonderful thing we call life. You know this fact and you use that knowledge to better understand the mood and thought-processes of your patients and your colleagues.

You’re Empathetic

You’ve always held a strong desire to help people and you can connect with others easily on an emotional level. You don’t just see how people feel, you can relate to it as well. You’ve always connected with other people, even at their worst and you know how to pull them out of their depressed state of mind by talking it through.

You’re Self-Aware

You know people but you also know yourself. You might be frustrated for a moment when the answer doesn’t come to right away but you understand that your frustration comes from a strong desire to learn so you work harder to achieve what you need. You’re always aware of your reactions and you’re able to learn from past mistakes you’ve made.

You’re Hungry for Learning

At the core of it all, you really love learning. Right now, studying your LVN courses was fun and exciting and you’re more eager than ever to start putting those new skills to good use. You often find that the bare minimum is never enough so you supplement your learning with practices, quizzes, games, and anything else you can think of to make sure you have it down.

You’re Brave

“The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection.”

-Thomas Paine

When you begin a career as an LVN, you’ll have to face some of the most terrifying facets of life, which often includes death. This might cripple other people from doing their jobs right but you have the strength of body and heart to handle the pressure and make sure you’re doing everything you need for your patient to the best of your abilities.

Nurses have one of the toughest jobs around and also one of the most rewarding. If you’re interested in starting a career as an LVN, then contact the experts at California Career Institute for more information.