Brain of a Nurse

EmergencyNrse · May 18, 2011

I would say so...

There's a lot to consider so you don't kill your patients.

That's why it's a skilled profession and we are not merely drones

doing a job. You pay attention to detail or bad things happen.

Chin up · May 18, 2011

I would certainly hope so. Peace!

Irishpsychintern · May 19, 2011

No mention of eyes in the back of our heads..... Probably the single most important thing.... after the bullet proof disposition..

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · May 19, 2011

Not only are we expected to have the brains but also be everywhere at once, to please everyone, and oh yeah we can hold our urine like its no body business. Nurses are of a special breed.

kat7464 · May 19, 2011

Analytical is critical!!! You have to be able to figure out the best and safest solution for your patient, as well as cover yourself....and, of course, pleasing the family, employer, and state is crucial!

mystory, BSN, RN · May 19, 2011

There are about 3 million nurses in practice in the US. Not all of us are detail-oriented. I certainly am not. I am much more process-oriented. My mind wanders to what in their home or environment could have contributed to or exaserbated their illness. I assess their mood and their perceptions of the illness, treatment, and barriers. I enjoy trying to diagnose or identify the etiology of undiagnosed pts. I don't really consider this analyzing, more exploration.

I was a social worker before I became a nurse, and the way my mind works and my personal and professional philosophies are much more conducive to the former.

jmqphd · May 19, 2011

Are you asking if nurses are typically "Left Brained" (logical, verbal) vrs. "Right Brained" (as in more intuitive)? I don't really know but I'm learning that different nurses (and students) process information very differently. At the end of the day, nurses must reach the right conclusions and do so rapidly.

I usually ask my students: If I were inviting you to my home, would you rather I gave you a map/diagram to my house, or would you prefer I just write the directions down? It's amazing how people can immediately identify whether they are verbal or spacial learners.

emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B · May 19, 2011

OP, what do YOU think?

Fribblet · May 19, 2011

This smells like a homework question.

AEB the lack of thought or opinion put into the OP.

RNperdiem, RN · May 19, 2011

I dunno... Plain old common sense has worked well all these years for me.

AgentBeast, MSN, RN · May 19, 2011

This smells like a homework question.
AEB the lack of thought or opinion put into the OP.

The answer is obviously yes. Although, I know a few RN's who couldn't critically think their way out of a paper bag. Scary indeed.