I'm too LOUD

Nursing Students General Students

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hi everyone!

i just finished up my psych rotation and will officially graduate in 3 quarters! i'm too darn excited for my own good.

i had my evaluation for my psych rotation from 2 different instructors. one of which was the acute care unit (4 long days) and the other was one day in a long term facility for psychiatric patients.

the acute care evaulation was great. no problems that i needed to work on. for the long-term facility, the instructor said "dani was too loud." :selfbonk:

guys, i am so embarrassed and ashamed. when thinking back to that rotation, i think i was probably too loud; we were told that we had to make the most of the clinical to gain something from it. the "clients" and i were playing cards-- having a good time. maybe too good of a time! :bugeyes: after consulting with a few of my friends, they told me it was just part of my personality. my husband said that he's just used to it.

have you guys ever had to deal with this? i know it could have been worse, but i feel like such a loud loser now. i now know i need to change my behavior-- but it is part of my personality. i like being able to go into a clients room and make them smile.

ah well. it's something i can work on. but i kind-of liked being the person who i am.

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Specializes in PICU, surgical post-op.

I'd take that as a compliment, personally. If that's the only thing they could find to complain about (and you know the "loudness" happened during something as therapeutic as making residents SMILE, for crying out loud), you're doing well.

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That's weird. Usually people pick on the "to quiet" ones. I am one of those. I wouldn't worry about that. If the patients were having a good time- you did your job. I have a "to loud" friend and she is GREAT with people. She has the best people skills I have ever seen. You probably are one of those people. Be glad- it will take you far.

Kim

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I would be insulted by that too, and I think it was inappropriate to put on your evaluation.

I have a very strong voice. I can either talk or whisper, but if I talk, you are going to hear me...it's just the way my voice is.

I cannot tell you how many times in my life, I have had people tell me "stop screaming" (trust me, they would KNOW if I was screaming) or "lower your voice" mid-sentence.

Do these people think that this EVER comes across as anything but rude?

I also gesture alot when I talk...my whole family does this...I have actually had people come over to me and grab my hands and hold them together while I was talking....it's all you can do to bite your tongue.

How would someone like it if they sent me a note and I said, "Wow, your handwriting looks like you wrote during an earthquake," or if I corrected someone mid-sentence on their poor grammar.

I was talking to this supposed friend of mine a few weeks ago, and she said mid-sentence, "...so, to make a long story longer." I just stopped talking, told her I had to run home, left, and I don't really plan on speaking to her again.

We live in a society where people need to be tolerant of others....God forbid if I made people aware that I come into contact with on a daily basis, something about their personality that I found annoying or irritating....I keep my mouth shut b/c it's rude and I care more about hurting someone's feelings....than of me getting an ego boost for the day.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I'm the same exact way. :lol2: I wouldn't really say I'm LOUD, but I definitely talk louder than most people, especially when I'm excited about something. A lot of times people tell me to keep my voice down. I agree with the others that I would take it as a compliment if that's the only thing they could come up with! And don't change your personality- I'm sure you are great with your residents.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Perhaps it will help you to remind yourself that the needs of the patients are what matter most -- not the expression of your natural personality traits. Sometimes, loud is good for the patient. Sometimes, loud is not good. You should be cultivating a variety of ways of interacting with patients so that you have more than 1 option to choose from.

No one is saying that you need to change who you are as a person -- just that you recognize when loud is not in the best interest of the patient and tone it down at those times.

It would be unwise to ignore the feedback you are getting. If it is that noticable, both you and your patients would probably benefit by having you learn a few more interaction strategies.

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I agree that a comment like that does not belong on an evaluation.

It's as appropriate as "she's too fat."

You were participating in activities with residents. Good for you.

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Specializes in DOU.

I can't stand when people don't speak up. I have a loud child, and I guess I've gotten used to the volume.

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thank you for the replies! you know, it felt better just to write it out and receive some feedback. i really appreciate the support.

llg-- i will most definitely will not ignore the evaluation. i appreciate your feedback as well. i can honestly say that the patients' best interest is always my priority.

i just need to learn not to be so darn excited all of the time, haha.

you guys = awesome. thanks again!

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It feels like it sucks that they put that on your eval...and I don't think you should change who you are, but as others have said---an eval is done for a reason, and you have to consider the nice with the not so nice. I agree that being loud can sometimes disturb the milieu. It can make agitated patients escalate etc. Obvious things. But you are who you are, and taken with a grain of salt, you can continue to be you no need to change. I think we adapt to our environment.

I currently have been working in Psych for the past several years, and lots of time the staff (be it the nurses/social workers/psychologists/psychiatrist/other nursing staff) do actually complain that such and such staff is too loud. But I mean, these are far and few between and it is normally the same 1 or 2 staff, and yes...it is just part of who they are. So not a judgement...but an observation. LOL.;) When these 2 particular staff are too quiet, I know they aren't feeling well, or are down in the dumps. From 0630 starting with LOUD Gooooooood Morrrrrnings!! to 1500 ending with "Have a great night everybody!!!". these 2 ladies are just loud...we just deal with it, it helps that they are friendly, bubbly and loud. Not rude and loud!

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.
Perhaps it will help you to remind yourself that the needs of the patients are what matter most -- not the expression of your natural personality traits. Sometimes, loud is good for the patient. Sometimes, loud is not good. You should be cultivating a variety of ways of interacting with patients so that you have more than 1 option to choose from.

No one is saying that you need to change who you are as a person -- just that you recognize when loud is not in the best interest of the patient and tone it down at those times.

.

Good points.

While a positive outgoing manner is often desirable, sometimes it's not.

A depressed or withdrawn patient may find a loud personality to be grating.

A manic person may be overstimulated by staff or patients who are too gregarious, boisterous, or loud. The psychiatric nurses' most valuable tool is the theraputic use of self. Behavioral Health patients need to be approached in a way that best suits their needs.

Evals are learning experiences to help guide you on you path of professional development.

While I don't know if the comment was correct, it certainly not any more inappropriate than saying "the student displayed a calm and caring demeanor in the presence of a challenging patient."

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When we say "loud" are we talking personality or volume? Personally, loud personality people are fine...no problems. Loud volume people though I have a problem with. There is a time and a place for loudness and the hospital isn't it. I've heard report so loud that every patient on the ward would be able to hear and I think that is innapropriate. Everybody has control over the level of their voice and their are some social graces that everyone needs to adhere too...

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