Are you an introvert or extrovert?

dream'n, BSN, RN · Jun 11, 2008

i'm the introvert with a big mouth.
leslie

LOL, that is sooo me!

Actually, another INFP here.

SydNurse2b · Jun 13, 2008

I am not in the nursing field quite yet but this is an interesting topic. In my current job...med sec...and in my everyday life I am an extrovert. I see that the majority above were all pretty much introverts. I feel all alone out here in my loud, crazy, chatty world. My husband is an introvert. He is amazing at his job (some computer stuff I don't understand) and is assertive when it comes to that but if we were to go out in a social situation he is extremely quiet and I do all the talking. Just curious.. are most of the other nurses that you work with in your opinion introverts or extroverts?? Do you see differences in nurses that are introverts vs. extroverts? I am wondering how I would fit in should I decide to go through with it.

ex1140 · Dec 18, 2008

Are you an introvert or extrovert?

Apparently, it matters in nursing...I was approached by a supervisor, a new supervisor might I add, and told that I should be more like one of my extroverted co-workers. As you can imagine I was totally offended. I explained to this woman that each personality is different and I can only be...myself.

Why I had to explain this to her, I don't know. I am quiet and I don't like being in the limelight and I don't like confrontations. I try very hard to live a peaceful life. However, I must admit it wasn't until this situation occurred that I started to consider that my personality might not be suited for certain areas in nursing. I'm currently working on a psych floor at the VA, and the patients are not confined, they are substance abusers and some suffer from post traumatic stress disorder.

Has anyone else encountered this type of situation, or am I the only introvert in nursing?:)

Baloney Amputation, BSN, LPN, RN · Dec 18, 2008

I'm an introvert as well with a bit of an oddball streak. I find that it makes me a good medical transcriptionist. :) It does make me somewhat lonely sometimes that I'm not more of a people person, but that's normally okay with me. I did meet my husband while working, so I'm not too lonely. He's an oddball introvert like me. :)

I believe your supervisor is off the mark telling you to be more like your coworkers if it is simply extrovert vs. introvert tendencies, unless there is a different issue that she is choosing to express this way.

aprilr · Dec 18, 2008

I was asked this question during an interview not long ago. The job was for an aesthetic nurse specialist which I guess would be one of those areas that an extrovert would be desirable...

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · Dec 18, 2008

I am a total 100% introvert, but I have worked very hard to develop my communication and "people skills". I can play the game and schmooze when I have to, especially now that I am a school nurse and it is expected in the education domain. That does not mean it does not exhaust me, or that most days I don't run home and curl up alone with a good book and my dog!

When I did work in the hospital, I found that many pts. found my calm and quiet demeanor comforting. For those who were more outgoing and wanted to chat, I tried my best to match their energy level. It is about putting the patient first, anyway.

That said, your supervisor was out of line. Both introverts and extroverts can make excellent nurses, and we should embrace our differences rather than condem others because they are different.

Iam46yearsold · Dec 18, 2008

I am very extroverted. I am out.I have no hidden agendas in life. I am out and life is wonderful. My GREEN lifestyle is very evident in a lot of things that I do, and enjoy, and live by.

ArwenEvenstar · Dec 18, 2008

I'm an introvert too! I think your supervisor's remark was not appropriate either! Maybe she should tell the extroverts to be more introverted!! Haha... Our western society does not seem to "value" introverted type personalities. Ever hear of the book "The Highly Sensitive Person"? Great book on the more introverted personality type. We deserve more respect! : )

When i worked at a hospital, I often found that my calm, quiet, unassuming manner was very helpful in some patient situations, such as with ornery, difficult, or confused type patients. My walking in the room in my quiet, calm, unassuming way often helped calm these patients. As opposed to a staff member going in the room in a more loud or "take charge" type of way.... I've seen staff members "rush" into the room of a difficult patient and this only seemed to make the patient worse...

I was also told many times that my ability to keep a calm outward composure in an emergency was very comforting to the patient. As opposed to getting all hyper...

But, of course, sometimes a more extroverted approach is needed and necessary! You are right - some areas of nursing would not work well for more introverted personality types.

But yes, you can only be "yourself"!! Who else can you be but yourself?!

ArwenEvenstar · Dec 18, 2008

I am very extroverted. I am out.I have no hidden agendas in life. I am out and life is wonderful. My GREEN lifestyle is very evident in a lot of things that I do, and enjoy, and live by.

Uh....I am sure you did not mean it like it sounds. But the insinuation seems to be that introverts have a "hidden agenda"?? I am not offended and not meaning to create a debate. But I don't think people who are introverted all have hidden agenda's. We are just more contemplative. We spend more time deeply thinking and pondering things. Most of us have nothing to hide...We just think more than we talk.

I'm a bit of an oddball though. I am very introverted, yet I also have an adventure streak and like to experience new things. I live life to the fullest.

Out of curiosity, I was not sure what you meant by "GREEN" lifestyle?

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · Dec 18, 2008

I'm an introvert. I'm shy, pretty quiet, and I hate confrontation and being the center of attention. I'm a CNA and I get flustered around families, supervisors that I don't come into much contact with (which doesn't leave a good impression!), and new admits. Once I get to know the resident/patient better I find it a lot easier to be cheery, goofy, or whatever. The long-term residents all like me... the rehab patients, unless they stay a while, probably all think I'm an idiot!

Elderly people are the reason I want to become a nurse, so I guess it's okay as long as I stay in LTC...

leslie :-D · Dec 18, 2008

Uh....I am sure you did not mean it like it sounds. But the insinuation seems to be that introverts have a "hidden agenda"?? I am not offended and not meaning to create a debate. But I don't think people who are introverted all have hidden agenda's. We are just more contemplative. We spend more time deeply thinking and pondering things. Most of us have nothing to hide...We just think more than we talk.
I'm a bit of an oddball though. I am very introverted, yet I also have an adventure streak and like to experience new things. I live life to the fullest.
Out of curiosity, I was not sure what you meant by "GREEN" lifestyle?

arwen, since i'm reading iam46's post differently, i'll give my interpretation.

being extroverted would mean (to me) their life is an open book: no hidden agendas.

no implications towards those who are introverted.

green lifestyle, i think, would be eco-friendly, environmentally supportive.

as for introvert/extrovert, i'm not either.

i am reserved but also outspoken.

keep to myself, but go in spurts.

i don't want to be one or the other.

i just want to build on my own unique personality...

as we all should.

so i agree with you op.

to heck with what anyone says.

you need to stay true to who you are.

leslie

Keepstanding, ASN, RN · Dec 18, 2008

introvert. i like being by myself most times. i do rise to the occasion with patients and families though. but all in all, i am pretty quiet !

praiser :heartbeat