Archetypes in Nursing

[FireStarterRN]

It seems like everywhere you go in nursing there is a similar cast of characters.

The Slacker

This nurse always operates at less than 100% and is a master delegator whose genius is being able to think quickly on a way to get others to take up the slack.

The Hotshot

Loves to run codes and start IVs in non existent veins

The Angel of Mercy

Mother Teresa move over, the Angel of Mercy is here to save humanity from suffering. She never complains and never doubts a patient's 10/10 pain.

The Showoff

This nurse never misses a chance to loudly toot his/her own horn. Also known as The Know-it-all.

The Critic

Always has some negative critique of the previous shift, or the work habits of co-workers. Often makes derisive comments when you give her report.

The Chart Guru

This nurse loves to chart. No form remains unfilled no matter what.

The Talker

Never shuts up at the nurses station, appears to be socially starved.

The Brown-noser

Fawns over management, kisses butt, is enthusiastic over any new policy.

The Moving Target

Either works in the float pool, job hops or works agency.

The Grizzled Veteren

She's been around and seen everything. A real journeyman nurse.

The Elitist

In a class of her own, a legend in her own mind, has a aura of snobbery.

Can you guys think of any?

[I love my cat!]

The Smoker Nurse-Smells like an old ashtray, feels they are entitled for more breaks than anyone else simply because they need to smoke. Actually it's better they do have their breaks otherwise they get cranky.

Good one!

Ugh. I worked with quite a few of the Smoker Nurse in my career. Thankfully, my place of employment is now a 'No-smoking' facility and that applies to the grounds as well. No more walking through a thick, foul cloud of carcinogens to get to work.

(One thing I always noticed about The Smoker Nurse was how much in denial they were regarding the amount of breaks they really took and how much time they spent away from pt. care. All had this belief that they only stepped out for 2-3 minutes a couple of times each shift, lol!)

(Old thread, but worth revisiting because it makes me laugh )

[whichone'spink, BSN, RN]

I think I fit the silent profile because even now at school, I don't socialize with most of my classmates. I've opened up a little, but not too much. No one needs to know about my personal life. And I doubt I'll change much when I start working.

[HappyNurse2005, RN]

The Tattler: always quick to run behind your back and tattle on you to management/charge nurse/etc. never will tell you to your face that they found an error you made. Often a small error, too. (this could be a variation of the brown-noser)

The Doctor Sucker Uppper: wants to be BFF's with all the doctors. Calls them by their first names, laughs and is super friendly with all of them. Acts like she's got an "in" with the doctors. Not so much to the other nurses, though

The Bad-Butt: acts like she/he is so big and bad. Dont dare something talk to her if you aren't in her inner circle. Often gives off condescending looks. Talks smack about others. Acts like she owns the place. Often has been there a long time and no one wants to say/do anything about her

The Unfortuanate One: the one that everyone else makes fun of for some reason (hair/clothes/weight/bad jokes/etc) and she/he has no idea that everyone laughs at them and doesn't like them.

The Marathon-Reporter: gives you an epic history and/or useless details on patients at report time. You dread having to get more than one patient from her/him because you will be sitting there forever!

The Poor-Reporter: distant cousin of the Marathon-Reporter. Doesn't tell you anything about the patient that you need to know. Tells you useless stuff. WHen you ask an important question, tehy say "I dont know"

The Favorite-Player: the charge nurse who plays favorites with her staff. Staff she likes get good assignments. Staff she doesn't like get the crappy ones. Can always come up with a reason why she/he gave you the crappy assignment, even if you know its a BS reason.

[gacardiorn]

HA!!!!! OMG that made my morning! I think we've all been a combo of these at some point but lately I've been the "crap magnet" and I don't know why?!?! Patient comes up from ER with pneumonia but within 5 minutes of arrival on floor develops diarrhea. Patient hasn't eaten for a week yet is assigned to me and magically develops diarrhea. Auuughhh!

[Gold_SJ]

Love this thread the archetypes are halarious XD

There is an I in Team - This nurse pounces whenever you're alone to assist with this carepath or this policy. Auditing to be done? You wouldn't mind lending a hand would you? This individual generally is obsessed with management and can be found telling the higher ups about ALL the work they've done. How HARD it's been and how much BETTER everything is because of them. Whilst all the fellow nurses dragged into doing the hard slog, well they won't be acknowledged at all, as this nurse makes the claim they did every bit of it, when the fact is they're not even close.

Mother Hen - This is the nurse even you can't fault, they're sweet, always smiling, kind, will help you at anytime, never seems to be ruffled. Have a shift from hell? Well this nurse will somehow take over everyone elses crappy tasks, fufill them with no complaints AND get that little old lady a cup of hot tea. Just because she asked...You often wonder how anyone can possibly be 'that' good?

The Clean Freak- This nurse cannot stand disarray, the second they commence shift they're complaining about pens being out, papers not organised and did they wipe over the benches before leaving?? What about the keyboards and phones? They're breeding places for germs you know. This OCD like behaviour is so extreme they cannot settle down until they have huffed around the station cleaning, arranging and fixing and the best you can do is lift your things out the way or find somewhere else to be as your best efforts won't be how 'they' want it.

The List Maker- This nurse is organised and wants everyone to be just as so, over their shift they'll go through stock, checks, photocopying, trolleys, medication changes required for patients and any other necessity for the next shift. Once through they'll write a nice long list for the next team to do, and you'll be given it during handover. Another favourite of the List Maker is to put post-its on charts highlighting changes needed, or care musts.

[fuzzywuzzy, CNA]

The Clean Freak- This nurse cannot stand disarray, the second they commence shift they're complaining about pens being out, papers not organised and did they wipe over the benches before leaving?? What about the keyboards and phones? They're breeding places for germs you know. This OCD like behaviour is so extreme they cannot settle down until they have huffed around the station cleaning, arranging and fixing and the best you can do is lift your things out the way or find somewhere else to be as your best efforts won't be how 'they' want it.

This sounds like me! At the end of my shift I'm going around following the other CNAs putting things in order and placing about several hundred trash liners in every can to ensure that no one who comes after me will throw garbage in an empty one! I start to twitch when someone leaves a bed unmade all day and sheets and pads have to be straight! I can't even stand other people's sloppy handwriting! And bedside tables being left in the middle of the room??? OMG.

My residents have to look neat too, whether they know it or not. No sweatpants and an ugly tee shirt just because it's easy to put on. I hate that!

[Gold_SJ]

*hugs* We love you lol, there's no proper work station without our fussy neat nurses ^.^

[mystory, BSN, RN]

The Credit Hog: If a CNA or another team member notices an important symptom, this nurse will take credit for it, and broadcast to everyone how the pt. would have crashed without his/her brilliant eye and judgement.

The Eliminator: Takes vile dumps in the break room bathroom, timed perfectly with your lunch.

The Phoneaphobe: Refuses to answer the phone, even if s/he is the only one in the nurses station, and is surfing facebook.

[mystory, BSN, RN]

Oh, I can't believe I forgot..

The Hawk: This nurse watches other nurses, particularly orientees and new grads, like a hawk. S/he notices every minor mistake they make, and enjoy broadcasting their observations to everybody else. The Hawks never notice the safe, caring things that their colleagues do, and would certainly never discuss them with others.