What are the key characteristics needed to be a nurse?

Good communication skills, handles pressure/stress well, confidence, tough skin/strong stomach, proficient in science and math, compassion

both my sister and my mother are nurses. however, both have very different personalities. but there is one common characteristic which is that they love to help people. this becomes very important especially later on when you begin to get tired and weary, because this will keep you going. it will remind you why you wanted to be a nurse in the first place even though the pay isnt all that great, the hours are long, and the work is demanding physically and mentally. I have an immense amount of respect for nurses. Best of Luck.

-tons of empathy. it will get you through the bad days.

-open-mindedness because you never know who your patient will be!

-an understanding that you are NEVER too important to wipe a butt, no matter what position you hold as a nurse.

-thick skin to tolerate nurses who dont care for students/new nurses, and the doctors who think they are gods.

-be able to work long hours at a time. you are not gonna leave that shift at exactly 7:00!

-emotions, meaning if a nurse is never moved by her patients, i think something is wrong with her/him! time to move on :)