introverted nurses -what is the best job?

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im an introvert who is having a hard time only recently. for some reason i know it is hurting me regarding jobs. is psych a good field to go into for an introvert? home care was ok but it seems instead of nurses the families were looking for friends or maids.

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Specializes in PACU.

I'm rather introverted, too. I think psych would be a HORRIBLE choice for introverts. It entails a LOT of talking, and you've got to be able to express yourself well and therapeutically verbally, and more importantly, non-verbally. Some patients with mental illness might be really put off depending upon the manifestations of your introversion.

What other areas interest you?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Very interesting thread - -

Question for OP - exactly what is it that makes you believe you are an introvert? I know that may sound simplistic (or stupid) but just because you are not a "touchy feely" person does not make you an introvert. Some of us just have a natural tendency to be more solitary. We aren't 'afraid' of social situations, we just prefer not to engage in them - and this is not a personality defect.

If you discover that you are actually fearful of expressing yourself or being assertive, this could certainly have an effect on your clinical effectiveness. Have no fear, you can overcome these problems - many times they just go away as your confidence increases over time.

As you may have guessed, I prefer a much lower level of 'social density' myself.... I blame my Norweigian heritage - LOL. My preferred clinical setting is ICU - the work is primarily solo, and interacting with others when needed. I would advise you to engage in some self-exploration. There are some really good self-assessment tools you could use. One of the most popular right now is "Strengths Finder 2.0" by Marcus Buckinham - it includes an online self assessment.

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Very interesting thread - -

Question for OP - exactly what is it that makes you believe you are an introvert? I know that may sound simplistic (or stupid) but just because you are not a "touchy feely" person does not make you an introvert. Some of us just have a natural tendency to be more solitary. We aren't 'afraid' of social situations, we just prefer not to engage in them - and this is not a personality defect.

If you discover that you are actually fearful of expressing yourself or being assertive, this could certainly have an effect on your clinical effectiveness. Have no fear, you can overcome these problems - many times they just go away as your confidence increases over time.

As you may have guessed, I prefer a much lower level of 'social density' myself.... I blame my Norweigian heritage - LOL. My preferred clinical setting is ICU - the work is primarily solo, and interacting with others when needed. I would advise you to engage in some self-exploration. There are some really good self-assessment tools you could use. One of the most popular right now is "Strengths Finder 2.0" by Marcus Buckinham - it includes an online self assessment.

I am the type of person who tends to get the job done. i love to talk to the patients but not the staff. (in my spare time( a very big if) i sit and talk about past times or with the children and play candyland.) i have a struggle talking with my co workers because i dont talk about what i did last night,patients,personal things so i think that tends to put co workers off some. calling docs im fine with.

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Very interesting thread - -

Question for OP - exactly what is it that makes you believe you are an introvert? I know that may sound simplistic (or stupid) but just because you are not a "touchy feely" person does not make you an introvert. Some of us just have a natural tendency to be more solitary. We aren't 'afraid' of social situations, we just prefer not to engage in them - and this is not a personality defect.

If you discover that you are actually fearful of expressing yourself or being assertive, this could certainly have an effect on your clinical effectiveness. Have no fear, you can overcome these problems - many times they just go away as your confidence increases over time.

As you may have guessed, I prefer a much lower level of 'social density' myself.... I blame my Norweigian heritage - LOL. My preferred clinical setting is ICU - the work is primarily solo, and interacting with others when needed. I would advise you to engage in some self-exploration. There are some really good self-assessment tools you could use. One of the most popular right now is "Strengths Finder 2.0" by Marcus Buckinham - it includes an online self assessment.

This is a really interesting post. I'm an introvert, as well.

Lots of true introverts are not afraid of expressing themselves, like this poster said. An introvert is just someone who gets drained when they are social for too long and they become energized through isolation. Opposite of extroverts who need people around them and social situations to become energized. That's it.

Introverts can be outgoing, bouncy, the life of the party. Introversion does not mean shy. They just get drained quickly from being social. I'm introverted and I require vast amounts of alone time, but when I am social I am very talkative and outgoing. I'm that person in the Wal-Mart check-out line who will bore you to death while talking nonstop about my cat. LOL I maybe go out with my friends just a few times a year. Other than that, work alone is enough socialness for me. If I'm social for too long, I become incredibly fatigued, irritable and I re-energize by being isolated. Unfortunately, I need lots of isolation. LOL

This is a great post. I'm not a nurse just yet and I've been wondering what field of nursing would be the best for me, as well. I don't mind working with a team, though, and I like the fact that I can interact with patients. I'd just better be 100% alone when I go home at night! :D Only person I can stand being around is my kitty!

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

I work in LTC. I have no problem talking to patients or calling doctors. I've been told that I'm not outgoing enough at work, I'm disconnected, and people don't feel that they can come to me with problems. I don't like to socialize with my co-workers (workplace friendships have never worked for me), and I don't like to discuss my personal life on the job. This happened in a previous job. I came to the conclusion that they were looking for puppies, and I'm not a puppy.

I'm considering alternatives. Among other things, I'm looking at an OR job. I volunteered in an ER for 2 years, and I loved it. You were expected to care for patients, not so much to care about them. However, since I have about a year of experience, and most of that is meds, I'm not sure where to go next.

What are some good specialties for an introvert?

Right now

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I would recommend trying OR nursing if you are an introvert. You are required to interact with patients, but the interaction mainly occurs just before the surgery as you are introducing yourself and going over the chart with your patient. Once the patient is in the room they will generally recieve general anesthesia and you must focus on circulating the room rather than caring for your patient directly. As an OR nurse you will interact with the staff but for the most part you work on your own. It's a great job if you are a bit weary of lots of social interaction. The same does not go for Preop and PACU staff though, only OR nursing. Hope that helps.

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I work in LTC. I have no problem talking to patients or calling doctors. I've been told that I'm not outgoing enough at work, I'm disconnected, and people don't feel that they can come to me with problems. I don't like to socialize with my co-workers (workplace friendships have never worked for me), and I don't like to discuss my personal life on the job. This happened in a previous job. I came to the conclusion that they were looking for puppies, and I'm not a puppy.

I'm considering alternatives. Among other things, I'm looking at an OR job. I volunteered in an ER for 2 years, and I loved it. You were expected to care for patients, not so much to care about them. However, since I have about a year of experience, and most of that is meds, I'm not sure where to go next.

What are some good specialties for an introvert?

Right now

That's my problem too. Some co-nurses say I don't smile enough.I have a hard time connecting to other nurses,emts,ot and pt except I can connect well on allnurses with othere nurses. Patients and docs I can deal with. When I was a school nurse I didn't connect to well with teachers at all.

I am doing pretty well in ltc but I Was geussing in psych a stern look goes a long way?

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Specializes in telemetry, ICU, cardiac rehab, education.

First I think you should be who you are-if you are a person who doesn't care to share their inner feelings with co-workers, so be it, don't change for others.

I really thought I wanted to work in a psych unit at one time but I have mostly worked in critical care and in that area, I have dealt with many ODs. From that I have concluded as a nurse working with psych patients you need a thick skin and to not show much emotion because they can say and do some unusual things, at times because they have some serious mental illness OR because they want to see how the nurse will react. A 'straight' face works well in those situations.

Good luck!

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This thread has been very helpful. I am also an introvert and was a bit worried about where I would fit in. (I'm starting the nursing program this fall.) The suggestion as an OR nurse seems like a good fit but I am interested to hear more. :)

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I am the type of person who tends to get the job done. i love to talk to the patients but not the staff. (in my spare time( a very big if) i sit and talk about past times or with the children and play candyland.) i have a struggle talking with my co workers because i dont talk about what i did last night,patients,personal things so i think that tends to put co workers off some. calling docs im fine with.

I don't blame you...I think that's totally natural..and you are smart for being that way! I'm learning to be the same way also. It sounds more like a perfect balance if you ask me.

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interesting post! I feel like I'm an introvert also... I'm a calm & quiet person and I guess somewhat boring. Sometimes when i'm hanging out in a group, I like to listen & observe more than talk. Sometimes I just don't know what to talk about lol. But anyway, there are some fields that you may consider that doesn't require a lot of talking. Psych is def. out of the list b/c you will need to constantly talk to your patients. I would say neonatal icu ... nice & quiet BUT you'll have to educate and talk to the parens & family. Perhaps school nursing (talk to lil kids and you pretty much work alone). I think there are times when EVERYONE doesn't want to talk to their coworkers and just want to finish up their work. You'll find your niche :)

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