I'm a nurse and I don't like people.

Nurses LPN/LVN

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I went into nursing because I wanted a stable job with decent pay. I also wanted to be able to help people. I'm a compassionate person, but I'm also very introverted. In other words, people suck the life out of me.

The longer I work in this field, the more I realize that I don't care for people much. Not necessarily my patients but other nurses, management, family members of patients, etc. I find most people to be backstabbing, selfish jerks. The blame game runs rampant.

I take awesome care of my patients, they are the only ones who get a pass when they are mean or grouchy towards me but it's the others that I can't stand.

I relish in my time alone, with my boyfriend and dogs. I get invited to work stuff but rarely go because I can't stand the fakeness. I don't have a lot of friends and it doesn't bother me in the least. I like to be alone in my thoughts.

I feel that most people nowadays only care about themselves and I don't even care to get to know them. I probably sound like a complete cynic but I really try to be a good person. Often to the extent that I get completely screwed. My job is my only social life because its enough socializing for me.

Am I the only one that feels this way?

Will I survive nursing?

I'm a loner too. I have my small family and lots of people I see walking my dogs, the grocery store etc. I really enjoy talking and spending time with them, but like to get home and decompress! at work everybody is too busy to do more than chat and move on. Now that I'm older I am picking jobs very carefully, more about the work itself, is it very heavy, will I at least be able to give good care (I mean the way a nurse would want to render care not a rushed mess), are the co workers at the least professional acting or harried hags? You need a thick skin to get to a comfortable place in nursing, you will with determination get there and people will accept you as part of the team. The job is your whole world right now,as you go along it becomes easier to separate home and work. You won't care whose bashing who and will learn who deserves your consideration and forget the rest.

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Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.
cockadoodie said:

I'm a loner too. I have my small family and lots of people I see walking my dogs, the grocery store etc. I really enjoy talking and spending time with them, but like to get home and decompress! at work everybody is too busy to do more than chat and move on. Now that I'm older I am picking jobs very carefully, more about the work itself, is it very heavy, will I at least be able to give good care (I mean the way a nurse would want to render care not a rushed mess), are the co workers at the least professional acting or harried hags? You need a thick skin to get to a comfortable place in nursing, you will with determination get there and people will accept you as part of the team. The job is your whole world right now,as you go along it becomes easier to separate home and work. You won't care whose bashing who and will learn who deserves your consideration and forget the rest.

As one 'extroverted' Introvert to another: Love it! Especially the last sentence, as I am re-learning to give my own deserving self my consideration.

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Specializes in ED, Cardiac-step down, tele, med surg.

I feel like that sometimes, but it's because I'm often depressed. I think it's great you don't see a problem with this and are content to be less social. Work is the main way I get social interaction, but I think that is true with many people. Annoying coworkers (including MD's) and annoying family members (and yes some patients get on my nerves-but because they are sick I give them the benefit of the doubt) are hard to deal with. It can be very draining, which is why I am reluctant to do a bunch of overtime.

Even though I am for the most part an introvert, I recognize the importance of human connection and enjoy spending time with my real friends and do miss it. I would like to be better at finding people who I mesh with and building friendships with them. I think it's a mistake to be jaded and cynical about socializing in general though because there can be a lot to miss out on. There's no way to know for sure if "most people are fake," so I like to give people the benefit of the doubt.

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I'm going to get this book. Thanks for the advice. It's just me and my 2 children, that's the only people I have conversations with. I'm a cna and find my job so hard because of my love to be in my own mind lol. All the other girls being best friends and laughing all day long, Im just not in to that, I'd rather do that with residents one on one, and go home. I'm going for lpn. Hoping to get in a doctor's office. I feel that wouldn't be to much....if i can land a job that is!!

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I think since I became a nurse I like people a lot less. I was soooo passionate about becoming a nurse, my mom is a nurse, it was my dream. I was always very social and could talk to anyone. Once I entered LTC and worked side by side with other nurses I was really disappointed. Most just ignore you. If you ask for help they seem annoyed, no matter how pleasant you are and explain your brand new. I am now full of anxiety and very introverted. I am really just a different person.. I spend a lot of my free time studying nursing things so I don't feel stupid at work....it's really just consumed me and Ive resorted to looking at other ways I can use my nursing without working with crappy people..

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I can relate. Lol. Let's hang out. ;)

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Good and interesting Thread...

I wonder if OP is still a nurse?

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Jipseeme said:
You are absolutely normal, so don't worry!! I am an extrovert and I hate people too. Years and YEARS of nursing have sucked me dry, worn me out, pissed me off, broken my heart, blown my mind and made me nuts. It has given me the ability to completely emotionally detach from situations when I need to. It has taught more about people than I ever wanted to know. It has also provided me with an insight to some amazing souls and allowed me to witness some of the most inspirational situations there cold possibly be.

There is nothing wrong with being an introvert, if only the balance of intro/extro people was even!

That being said, I am extroverted and enjoy chit chatting at work. There is a difference between getting along well with people at work and being friends, you know? Being friendly at work does NOT have to equate to people invading your personal life. Intro or extro, people in general suck. Do what you have to do for YOU to enjoy your life!! Kudos for making healthy boundaries and not getting sucked into the drama.

I thought this comment was good. I'm extroverted and can relate to this.

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Specializes in Certified Case Manager, Community Health.
Mavrick said:
HooBoy that's a tough one.

According to this very website the newer nurses are not feelin' the love. They're taking anything they can get, with some having to actually move away from home to get even an icky low paying beginner job. So there's two strikes against nursing already.

And working with people is almost a given. Crabby, sick people or stressed out, short staffed co-workers.

What about a morticians assistant? Dog walker? Fire tower lookout?

Quite amusing indeed, needed a quick laugh, Thanks!

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OMG.. I honestly thought I was the only introverted nurse. I am so happy that some people feel the same as me. Well, lets see, where to start? I will never work days mon thru fri. People clicking their high heels across the floor while I'm in scrubs and tennies, up to my elbows in "you know what". .. I will work PMs or Nights when you have gone home. Believe it or not these people still need medicine. I don't attend "Staff meetings" which generally are a bunch of BS. So sorry if I have offended some people, but its the truth.. And you wonder why there's a nursing shortage.

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cockadoodie said:

I'm a loner too. I have my small family and lots of people I see walking my dogs, the grocery store etc. I really enjoy talking and spending time with them, but like to get home and decompress! at work everybody is too busy to do more than chat and move on. Now that I'm older I am picking jobs very carefully, more about the work itself, is it very heavy, will I at least be able to give good care (I mean the way a nurse would want to render care not a rushed mess), are the co workers at the least professional acting or harried hags? You need a thick skin to get to a comfortable place in nursing, you will with determination get there and people will accept you as part of the team. The job is your whole world right now,as you go along it becomes easier to separate home and work. You won't care whose bashing who and will learn who deserves your consideration and forget the rest.

I don't think that qualifies you for being a loner. (I got more to come). I think you just need time to recoup.

Its a stressful job, no doubt.

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anewsns said:
Off topic re: "fake people". That generally annoys me too, seems like some people have no grasp on reality. BUT it is a very stressful environment. I think some people act "fake" just to get by while being professional and I'm sure all they want to do is go home and hang out with their dog too.

"Fake people"...I get that. We only really get a chance to know a few people real well (inside circle, close friends, maybe some family, etc).

I agree...a lot of them are Fake. Putting on airs (like Dr's.,)

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