Compassion required???

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · May 23, 2011

Maybe be an OR nurse where the patients are sedated? Lol kidding. That's a tough one I think, I have seen some nurses with that same mindset and although they think they are hiding it, they aren't and the patients can pick up on it. It makes me cringe. That said, there are many area of nursing that aren't heavy on patient interaction and more about the skills of it all if that makes sense. I met a few nurses in the heart cath lab that I talked to. They loved the challenge of there job and loved that it wasn't based so much on "compassion" and patient care. I mean it's still patient care in a sense but not in the way you are talking about.

LouisVRN, RN · May 23, 2011

IMO it all depends on the area of nursing you work and the population you work with. Working in the ICU or a SICU sounds like a great fit for you. It is more about caring for the patient than caring ABOUT them. L&D on the other hand you will probably hate your life everyday because they expect you to care ABOUT them and their families. Med/Surg I think you might have a hard time with. The majority of the medical patients we see are there because of their own actions whether its diabetes, alcoholism, etc. The surgical patients however you might enjoy, especially elective surgical patients like knees and hips as they are often highly motivated in their own recovery and want as much information and independence as possible.

leenak · May 23, 2011

So what happened with your engineering career? Because honestly, there are a lot of jobs out there with more flexible schedules that make a lot more than nursing. I will actually take a pretty severe paycut to go into nursing.

babyNP., APRN · May 23, 2011

There are easier ways to make money than nursing :) why expend the energy, especially in today's job market?

Louis--she'd still have to deal with the families in the ICU which I don't think she'd like at all...

GatorNurse10 · May 23, 2011

I agree with the replies that state it depends on what area of nursing. Definitely not med-surg, however, something with less patient care might be a good fit. I do think you'd be better served by looking at your current education/experience and seeing what else you might do with that. The nursing jobs that you can always find tend to be in bedside specialties like med-surg where you have a lot of direct patient contact. Jobs in OR, PACU, cath lab can be somewhat more difficult to get... especially without experience. Mi Vida Loca is absolutely correct when she says "I have seen some nurses with that same mindset and although they think they are hiding it, they aren't and the patients can pick up on it."

jellyfishmafia · May 23, 2011

The schedule of the particular field of engineering I was in was impossible to deal with. It involved (the field I was geared towards - CONSTANT travel, and I mean a different city every night for 4-6 months at a time. It gets old, fast. That paired with over saturation of the market led to the feeling like I was always competing for my job because there were many many fresh out of school faces willing to work for half the price. Those variable really diluted the job satisfaction.

I won't begin to harp on the rabid sexism I encountered. It is true that certain archetypes and often their counterparts are driven towards the same places and careers... The mix in engineering is often like oil and water.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · May 23, 2011

I have a fairly important question regarding the personal requirements of nursing. Most of everyone in my family has some sort of medical degree and I am following suit (after a less than climactic career in engineering). I identify pretty well with the people in my family in regards to personality and they all have encouraged me so far in the nursing program, each telling me I will do very well.
So heres the issue:
I keep coming across references to "Compassion" being a "common sense requirement" to be a nurse. This DOES NOT click with me or my personality. I like to think I have a science based logic and frame of mind, I am goal oriented, and I love a good challenge, excitement, and nigh impossible deadlines. This I can see being useful in being a nurse. However, I am not that compassionate of a person. Most of the time I believe that what happens is a consequence of your own actions. I do not easily feel sympathetic towards people and quite honestly am very irritated by drama and over acting. I have read and come across information explicitly stating that this is the number one reason NOT to be a nurse.
I have to admit, I am doing it for the money and job stability. :eek:I will most likely never work full time and I will never bring my work home with me WHEN POSSIBLE. I don't feel sorry for the sick, the injured, the unfortunate - IMO thats the way the world turns. I am in no way christian, bhuddist, jewish, agnostic, atheist, etc... I relate to Pantheism if I had to pick something spiritual to believe in. I do not agree with religion and would never pretend to. This being said, I CAN hold my tongue - I am actually quite the pro at it.
I am very good at carrying out instructions, working with a clear mind, getting the job done objectively. When it comes to critical thinking I can get it done subjectively as well. Those boundaries are malleable - the ones that aren't are the ones concerning my emotions. I like people in general when they are not consumed with themselves or taking themselves too seriously.
Am I a recipe for disaster when I begin working as a nurse? Should I cut my losses and withdraw from my nursing program so far - (Which I enjoy the moderate challenge)
Without WANTING to help the sick and injured I can still be a great nurse in my opinion. I'm not saying I would have a problem carrying out the duties of a nurse, but honestly it isn't what I wake up wanting to do. I am not a Mother Teresa. I want to be a nurse, like I said, to have the money, flexibility, and job security. I didn't even consider being a nurse until I realized the pay rate and demand. Don't get me wrong - I will do the job and do it to the best of my ability and I will follow direction easily without involving my own opinions, but I will not pretend to be sympathetic or empathetic. Thats just me.
Anyone else feel this way? Are you a nurse that has a similar personality? If so please tell me your experience as a nurse.

Sounds like someone just wants to start an argurment.....

But Really??? You've looked at the wrong study considering pay AND DEMAND! Check the boards here...... EVERYBODY is having a hard time finding work. New grads have been unemployed for 2 years and still looking.

If you really are in a program you need to re-assess your motives AND career choice...

netglow, ASN, RN · May 23, 2011

Lol. Other than travel, you are jumping from the frying pan into the fire with nursing.

leenak · May 23, 2011

I work in a male dominated field as well although for the most part, I've had good experiences. If you are engineering minded, I think there still may be other jobs out there that are easier to get into and pay better than nursing if that is your primary motivator. Also, I know many people that never travel and I hardly ever do but I like it. I am lucky if I travel once every 2 years. It all depends on what you want to do though.

itsmejuli · May 23, 2011

t led to the feeling like I was always competing for my job because there were many many fresh out of school faces willing to work for half the price. Those variable really diluted the job satisfaction.
I won't begin to harp on the rabid sexism I encountered. It is true that certain archetypes and often their counterparts are driven towards the same places and careers... The mix in engineering is often like oil and water.

And what leads you to believe that nursing will be any better of a career field for you?

noahsmama · May 23, 2011

You're switching from engineering to nursing for the "money, flexibility and job security"? I'm pretty sure that in most parts of the country, engineers are better paid than nurses (although there may be a few pockets where that's not true).

And if you've bought the stories about a "nursing shortage" and think nursing will give you job security for that reason, I recommend you start reading the many, many posts on this website from new grad nurses and even experienced nurses who are having trouble finding and/or keeping jobs, generally through no fault of their own. There is no nursing shortage!

As for flexibility, I guess there are more options for types of schedules in nursing, but on the other hand, especially as a new nurse, your only option may be to accept a night shift position working every other weekend and most major holidays. (but maybe that works for you?)

Having said all that, if you still feel that you want to continue pursuing a career in nursing, I agree with the advice to consider OR or other venues where your technical skills will be most important and the ability to empathize not so important.

Good luck!