Having Second Thoughts

Nurses Career Support

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Is it unwise for me to go into nursing if I'm not much of a people person? I'm not the "touchy feely" type and being comforting is not my strong suit. I don't want long (adult) patient contact. I could picture myself in NICU and the OR. (Babies are good as are unconcious patients that are just "passing through".) I would most likely continue my education to get out of bedside nursing.

Does this sound terrible? There are so many options in nursing, surely I could find my niche, right? But will I be miserable until I do?

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AND... why is it that you want to be a nurse?:stone

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AND... why is it that you want to be a nurse?:stone

I knew I didn't put this right. I tried to explain it much too simply. I like the technical aspect of nursing. Proceedures. I've always been interested in medicine/healthcare and knew I wanted to do something with it. I would have loved to be a MD, but life got in the way and it's too late in the game to go that direction.

Maybe I'm just panicking because starting nursing school is becoming a reality now.

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Specializes in IMC, ICU, Telemetry.

I can relate to what you are saying. I'm much more technically inclined than psychosocial. While I know I need to develop that weakness, I also know I'll still prefer the techincal & skills more. There is absolutely someplace for you to fit in nursing! At least you recognise this in yourself and are looking to find an area where you and your interests fit together. For me, I know psych nursing isn't going to be my cup of tea. At the moment ER is attractive (lots of skills there) and the ultimate goal is CRNA.

Have you ever looked into what personality type you are? Jungian typology, Myers-Briggs? Knowing that helped me find my way as well. I dig that sort of stuff though.

Good luck with you!

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Remember that NICU infants have parents that have HUGE psychosocial needs, that you as the RN will have an opportunity to meet.

I thnk the only place where the concious patient contact is really minimal is the OR. And even there, I imagine with all the surgeries with blocks these days that is changing.

Are you uncomfortable with patients? Because, after all they are just people.

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I can relate to what you are saying. I'm much more technically inclined than psychosocial. While I know I need to develop that weakness, I also know I'll still prefer the techincal & skills more.

EXACTLY!

I'd just like to do what I need to do and move on. Of course there will always be patient contact. I'm not "afraid" of people. I just don't see myself comfortable with "extended" individual patient contact. At this point, I really think the OR could be a good fit for me. Who knows? Maybe I'll find I like other areas during clinical rotations. Then again, I might not.

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EXACTLY!

I'd just like to do what I need to do and move on. Of course there will always be patient contact. I'm not "afraid" of people. I just don't see myself comfortable with "extended" individual patient contact. At this point, I really think the OR could be a good fit for me. Who knows? Maybe I'll find I like other areas during clinical rotations. Then again, I might not.

i can relate to you in one way or another. i want to become a nurse badly but i am very unsure if it will be the right move for me. something tragic happened to someone close to me, so after that i didnt try to let anyone close to me. then people started to say that i wasnt a people person because i try not to show any emotion. i know i love helping people and being there for them but the comments have affected me. now i am just trying to see if nursing fits me or not. I dont mind coming in contact with people, but i dont want to become attached. i am known for speaking up for what i believe. i know that if i see someone not doing a patient right it will effect me alot.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I am not someone that is touchy-feely either. However, I have empathy and compassion for people and that is (IMHO) the most important part of nursing. I'm a little concerned that people are concerned and enjoy the "procedures" of nursing. Assessment is actually always, always, always the most important. For instance, being able to place IV's in everyone is a wonderful skill. But...if you don't understand that the "why" of the IV, then its not important.

I have done fine in nursing as far as not being a touchy-feely person. I work in a level one trauma center and enjoy the intense, short contact that I have with people. I do realize that I make a difference (sometimes) too by being able to provide patients and their families with information in order to make care decisions. For me, providing the information in a non-judgemental but friendly way is gratifying.

Good luck.

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OR sounds perfect for you. And good for you for realizing your feelings before you get stuck in a job you hate. Too many nurses burn out before they find the right specialty. Nursing is not just "nuturing the sick" anymore. All personality types can find their niche if they just keep looking.

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How about being a Physician's Assistant instead of a nurse? That would put you more on track with what you originally wanted to do (MD).

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Specializes in M/S, Onc, PCU, ER, ICU, Nsg Sup., Neuro.

Sorry, but nursing is a touchy-feeling and giving comfort type of profession and if you are not that type then you will really need to find your niche elsewhere. I have been an RN for over 20 yrs and when I went to school in Phila, Pa the hardest thing to teach some people(because of Philly being a big city where you didn't touch those you didn't know) was the simple art of touching people. I have seen enough "nurses" in my time that should never have become nurses in the first place. I would hate for you to get into nursing and send negative vibes to patients you attempt to care to further make them suspicious of all nurses and demean those of us who are very good at what we do. This may sound mean but I am a very big Nursing advocate and I just feel you would be wasting your time/money and take up space in a school for someone who truly wants to be here helping people and making a difference. Good luck in whatever you find to do that is not Nursing.

:angryfire flaerman

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Nursing has become a profession that is so much more that just giving comfort. There is administration, legal, ethical, research, product reps., education, consulting and the list goes on. You don't need daily contact with patients to be a nurse. We need all types to fulfil our constantly evolving mission and should not discourage those with different interests.

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