4 answers
Lucy
Student
Cresco, Iowa
1
Question
Asked
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What personal qualities are employers in healthcare looking for?
I am a nursing student looking for more experience in the healthcare field.
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4 answers
Amarja Desai
Occupational therapist / Assistive Technology Specialist
2
Answers
Gambrills, Maryland
Updated
Amarja’s Answer
Healthcare professionals should listen well and be social and friendly. Even though they should be in charge of the situation they should be pleasing at the same time. They should be able to connect and build a trust with the patient and their family. For instance, if a nurse gives medicine to a patient who refuses it, the nurse should gently talk to them, much like a mom would with her child.
Hollis Chopp
Radiography
1
Answer
Salem, Connecticut
Updated
Hollis’s Answer
This is an excellent question for a student or new grad to be asking. Healthcare and the work force in general, has changed substantially in the past twenty years of my career as an xray technologist.
Despite this, employers are still looking for the same qualities that they have been for decades.
Reliability and personal responsibility are high on the list.
Ask yourself, are you the kind of professional who can take responsibility and own their choices? Are you the kind of team member who will show up mentally and physically for the organization?
Are you the kind of Healthcare provider who can seperate their personal emotions from their professional tasks in order to provide a high level of quality care?
Regardless of your specialty or field this is the kind of mental resilience and agility that stands put to employers.
Learn your boundaries. What are you comfortable with and what could you expand upon? If you are queasy around blood is that something you could overcome or should you consider an outpatient clinical setting or non trauma setting? Are you someone who needs a solid 8 hours of sleep to function? Perhaps a situation with frequent night and weekend call is not an option.
Remember that the more you are able to adapt, the more opportunities will open up to you.
Despite this, employers are still looking for the same qualities that they have been for decades.
Reliability and personal responsibility are high on the list.
Ask yourself, are you the kind of professional who can take responsibility and own their choices? Are you the kind of team member who will show up mentally and physically for the organization?
Are you the kind of Healthcare provider who can seperate their personal emotions from their professional tasks in order to provide a high level of quality care?
Regardless of your specialty or field this is the kind of mental resilience and agility that stands put to employers.
Hollis recommends the following next steps:
Anya Weatherly J.D.
Director of Home Health
2
Answers
Aventura, Florida
Updated
Anya’s Answer
For homecare positions like HHA we are always looking for people that prioritize service to others vs. service to self and engage with patients in the most compassionate way. Those people are empathetic yet know the boundaries when interacting with patients at home or in a facility setting. By all means they comply with all main caregiver duties and also are able to act in a critical situation ex. providing First Aid and CPR. When patients feel the care is genuine, a caregiver can stay with them for a long time and get rewarded with excellent pay.
Get started with your Home Health Aide Career today! Contact me to get certified as HHA in any of the US state.
Anya recommends the following next steps:
Ashley Lowe
College Instructor/Clinical Coordinator
62
Answers
Minnesott Beach, NC
Updated
Ashley’s Answer
Employers in healthcare look for much more than just grades or technical skills. Of course, competence matters, but the personal qualities often carry just as much weight. Reliability is huge; showing up on time, prepared, and ready to work consistently builds trust quickly. Strong communication skills are also critical. The ability to communicate clearly with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals makes you a valuable team member. Employers also look for professionalism, which includes attitude, appearance, respect, and the ability to receive feedback without becoming defensive.
Another major quality is adaptability. Healthcare environments change quickly, and employers want individuals who can stay calm under pressure and adjust when plans shift. Empathy and compassion are equally important. Patients remember how you made them feel, and employers know that patient experience matters. Finally, a willingness to learn goes a long way. Students and new graduates who ask thoughtful questions, seek improvement, and demonstrate initiative stand out immediately.
If you focus on being dependable, communicative, teachable, and compassionate, you will naturally position yourself as someone employers want on their team.
Another major quality is adaptability. Healthcare environments change quickly, and employers want individuals who can stay calm under pressure and adjust when plans shift. Empathy and compassion are equally important. Patients remember how you made them feel, and employers know that patient experience matters. Finally, a willingness to learn goes a long way. Students and new graduates who ask thoughtful questions, seek improvement, and demonstrate initiative stand out immediately.
If you focus on being dependable, communicative, teachable, and compassionate, you will naturally position yourself as someone employers want on their team.