Are shy and quiet people not allowed to be nurses?

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I am a nursing student and wanted to get feedback from nurses. I've always been shy and quiet, but once I'm comfortable I will open up. I'm better talking to a person when it's 1 to 1. I am almost finished my with 3rd clinical. I have 4 more clinicals left. The clinical instructor I have right now told me I would never be a good nurse because I am so shy and quiet. She tells me I will pass for her clinical since we only have 3 more days left, but she said she doesn't think I will make it out there. I told her it is true that I am quiet, but I always talk to the patients I have and I am more attentive because I do listen more. I told her I believe otherwise, but she didn't agree with me. Other instructors have told me I would be a great nurse and I'm doing great in my courses, getting a B+ or better while working full-time. I was unable to sleep at night after coming home yesterday about what she said. I'm doubting myself now and I don't know what to do..

Specializes in Med-Surg, & ED.

You will make it, just like we all did. Stay strong and chin up, your hard work will pay off. Best of luck in future endeavors :)

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

I was very quiet and shy when I started nursing. Some of the nicest nurses I know are like this. Your teacher is an idiot.

On the bright side. My husband says I am a lot louder and bossier now than I every used to be. I quess that's what working in the ER does to you.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

I agree with all of the other comments. I felt the same way when I was in nursing school last year, don't sweat it. Besides most patients don't want a nurse who overpowers them they prefer someone who is kind, caring, and respectful. Just keep up the good work and you will be a nurse before you know it :)

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
You will be fine. There have to be some nurses to compensate for people like me.

That makes two of us :lol2: I'm a flaming extrovert and can't figure out for the life of me how "shy" and "quiet" people can handle being nurses, but guess what---nursing is chock FULL of introverts, and folks like Dixie and me are very much in the minority. Don't let one instructor's sour grapes spoil the wine for you, OP; you're going to fit in just fine. :heartbeat

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Tele/SNF-LTC/Supervisory.

Gotta say, some instructors are power hungry Hitlers. Some may disagree saying that it must have been something YOU'VE done.. but truly, those people DO exist and they exist solely to make your clinical experiences unbearable!! She was very unprofessional saying that you would not make a good nurse. What is she doing to help you become a good nurse??? Isn't she the instructor? Mentor? I've encountered this type of Hitler during my schooling too, she made me cry, sick to my stomach, told me I was the worst, etc etc... well, she wasn't doing anything to help me LEARN in clinical, so I mentioned it to an upper who confirmed that it wasn't the first time she'd heard this, AND that she disagreed completely with her opinion.

Well, I'm now a nurse for three yrs... not exactly very shy, but I'm not loud, only speak when I feel I have something to say, not to criticize anothers work, and I am not a "forceful" nurse. My patients love me for my quiet and calm demeanor. I'm many of my patients Favorite Nurses.. so you can be a good nurse.. a WONDERFUL nurse if you're shy and quiet.

Don't sweat her.!!! :redbeathe

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Specializes in OB, NICU, Nursing Education (academic).

Another for the shy/quiet team! Over the years I have become much less shy and quiet. I do remain reserved, however. My father-in-law thinks I'm brilliant because I listen to what everyone else is saying, before adding my 2 cents.

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I'm no extrovert, but when I have to call the doc or pt's family, I have no problem. It was hard at first, but I just forced myself to do it until I don't think twice about it now.

As for my pts, I will make a complete fool out of myself to make them laugh.

Sounds like folks like us know how to listen and that will be our strongest point.

My reserve also was a huge benefit when my only horrible clinical instructor told me the same thing you were told... because it made me keep my mouth shut and not give her a piece of my mind. :devil:

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The negative comments your instructor has made to you prove her ignorance. Excellent nurses come with all types of personalities!

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OK, this may sound a little rough, but I'm really trying to help.

First of all, you need to develop some confidence. What the instructor really means is that you are quiet when you shouldn't be. Everyone appreciates someone who can keep their mouth shut and listen, but nobody respects someone who won't speak up for themselves.

Learn to speak with confidence, and it won't matter that you've only said one thing all day. Everyone will notice what you said, be impressed, and remember it.

"Shy and quiet" is instructor-speak for weak. She thinks that you can be manipulated and intimidated or will not be able to stand up for your patients.

So, practice speaking out, even if it's just once per clinical. Make a point of saying one thing confidently to your instructor. You can even practice it ahead of time.

When I was younger, I was extremely shy and had trouble communicating when it counted. I went out and got a waitressing job, which forced me to learn how to speak to people. I don't think you have to do anything that extreme, but practicing talking to people will help you a lot.

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Do what I did. Prove that person wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!

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I am a nursing student and wanted to get feedback from nurses. I've always been shy and quiet, but once I'm comfortable I will open up. I'm better talking to a person when it's 1 to 1. I am almost finished my with 3rd clinical. I have 4 more clinicals left. The clinical instructor I have right now told me I would never be a good nurse because I am so shy and quiet. She tells me I will pass for her clinical since we only have 3 more days left, but she said she doesn't think I will make it out there. I told her it is true that I am quiet, but I always talk to the patients I have and I am more attentive because I do listen more. I told her I believe otherwise, but she didn't agree with me. Other instructors have told me I would be a great nurse and I'm doing great in my courses, getting a B+ or better while working full-time. I was unable to sleep at night after coming home yesterday about what she said. I'm doubting myself now and I don't know what to do..

Don't listen to your snarky extrovert instructor.

There are 'some' extroverts that think introverts can't 'make it' in any line of work or aren't quite as smart because we think and react in a different way. They quickly realize that while we shy, quiet people have been listening and making a plan they may have shot themselves in the foot by not thinking through a situation.(I did say some, NOT all)

There are many books on the subject of introverts that are successful and how to traverse the business/working world with extroverts without getting stomped on.

The Introvert Entrepreneur is an excellent resource on FB

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Specializes in nursing education.

Patients want their nurse to listen to them. Not everyone wants someone to come into their hospital room and chat their ear off. Sure, some do. But by and large, people want to be heard, to be understood- whether they are acutely ill, or dealing with a chronic condition.

If your instructor meant something like she thought you should be a little more assertive that's something different. And you can be assertive without being chatty, too. That's a learned skill.

Be your authentic self.

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