A nurse needs to be compassionate (6)
I believe the answer is:
tender
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'a nurse' is the first definition.
(I've seen this before)
'to be compassionate' is the second definition.
(similar in meaning)
'needs' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for tender that I've seen before include "A gentle kind of bid" , "Fuel truck" , "Easy to cut or chew" , "Supply ship" , "Ship that provides supplies to other ships" .)