Humility and a teachable spirit, which is often used interchangeably, are one of the most important traits in a good nurse and an individual in general. Having a teachable spirit denotes the ability to open oneself to learning and understanding that we do not know everything. Allowing ourselves to be open to new experiences as they lead us to needed knowledge and perfection of our skills. The medical field is ever-changing and as a result nurses must continue to learn to be able to offer optimal level of care to the …show more content…
Furthermore, in his article he states that preoccupation with thoughts that you might appear ignorant when asking questions, keeps the individual from learning and an opportunity to grow as a person. In fact, it is contrary to what teachable spirit is. Being humble about your knowledge, not offending others by pointing out your expertise to make them feel less than, is another important aspect of a teachable spirit characteristic (Characteristics of teachable spirit, 2013).
Likewise, intellectual humility has to do with understanding that we don’t know everything. There is always more to be learned and knowledge is acquired over a lifetime. A good nurse never stops learning. Knowledge or skills should never be used as a way to take advantage over others but rather benefit them. Additionally, during discussions or meetings, we must be considerate; listening attentively to what that person is saying in order to learn from them (What is Intellectual humility? 2013). According to this article, many individuals do not do so thus loosing a great opportunity to expand their