Nurses: Who came from a dysfuntional family?

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I am just curious as to how many of us came from a dysfunctional family. When I say dysfunctional, I mean children of alcholics, drug addicts, mental illness, child abuse whether it be physical or emotional. I read years ago that 75% of all nurses come from this type of environment. Is it true? Let me be the first to say "Yes"

You could say that. My mother diagnosed with bipolar, however, today she would also be diagnosed with severe PTSD. She committed suicide when I was 6 (she was 22). I continued to live with my step-father (who is the one who found her). He has been a "happy drunk" for as long as I can remember. I could tell when he was drinking to forget. He would get this look in his eyes and shudder. Like he was seeing it all over again. When I was 7 1/2 he remarried to a woman with severe untreated depression. She tried but spent a lot of time in her room with "headaches". She is better now too.

I guess I became a nurse because I know how damaging pain can be. Noone should go through that alone.

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Does anyone know a family that ISN"T dysfunctional? I don't

I guess I should consider my husband and myself to be very lucky. My husband is a new RN and comes from a very loving, nurturing family. Although I am not a nurse, I too come from a fabulous family. I see my parents and sister about 2 to 3 times per week and love spending time with them. I could not have asked for a better family even if I was able to hand pick them myself!!

What's interesting is that in my area of expertise, many come from extremely dysfunctional families as well. My graduate training is in Clinical Psychology, and I have noticed that a large amount of the students came from extremely difficult circumstances and/or did not get along with their families. I've observed the same to also be true of numerous colleagues.

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Specializes in LTC, Subacute Rehab.

Divorced parents; mother who swung between lax parenting and pulling me down the hall by my hair; stepfather abused ETOH and would turn bookshelves, chairs, etc, over if the room wasn't clean; raised on welfare, in public housing, etc. Dealt with clinical depression myself.

Now I live away from my parents, have own car, etc, good relationship, and started LPN school yesterday.

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My father was an alcoholic until five years before he died. Also a long history of depression in my family (including me).

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There's a family somewhere that isn't dysfunctional?

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Specializes in Lie detection.

I'm jumping in here late but still dysfunctional!!

Mom is an addict and with mental illness.

Father deceased but I belive had some depression.

I'm in recovery for addiction!

Yep, very dysfunctional but individually strong and feeling great.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Transplant, Education.

I'd say so...dad was an alcoholic here. Not sure if it actually steared me towards nursing because I was already in NS when he got really bad/admitted he had a problem with drinking. Brother was dx with a brain tumor 13 years ago, so I think that's what did it for me.

Edit: Despite the alcoholism, bro & I had a wonderful upbringing. He wasn't a violent drunk, he was a depressed drunk. Dad died a month & a half ago from an MI. He'd been sober over 60 days.

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