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. 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. Edit: I should also mention that I am very capable and I am very professional in work situations. I exhibit respect for other's opinions and beliefs. I just won't fake my own.
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.
EDIT: I am convinced that my lack of ability in being outwardly compassionate lends to my ability to "not freak out" in emergency situations. I have been known to carry out my responsibilities like nothing has happened. I wanted to be an EMT originally, but unfortunately they are paid like chumps... ):
This is one of the most disheartening posts I've read in a while. Please never think of coming into nursing again. Judging from what you say, you will hate every minute of it, I promise.
And would you want someone like you taking care of yourself or your loved ones? I wouldn't! You're talking about how 'smart' you are, but I can't believe you'd even consider this field given the way you feel about people.
Specializes in Mental Health, Medical Research, Periop.
It really doesn't sound like you want to do this, sounds like your family wants you to do this. As for job security, nurses are easily replaceable because of the overflood of new nurses. Just like you, many have left their old careers to pursue the "recession free" nursing career to find it isn't recession free at all. Now they are stuck with two degrees they cannot use in these times. People are working longer and not leaving as fast as predicted. IDK, but I would reconsider if I were you.
It is hard for some of us nurses that have compassion to go into the trenches everyday, I can't imagine how much harder it would be for you.
For those patients that " bring it on themselves" due to unhappy habits, it is not for us to judge. I'm sure they rather have the alternative to being a drug addict, morbidly obese, smoker, and alcoholic. If it were so easy for them to stop those addictions and habits they would stop.
It is not that easy. They need a nurse who is competent to provide the care they need but also a nurse who can offer empathy.
sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it
With that in mind, I would have to say that the ability to understand and relate to the distress of someone who is sick or wounded, while having the desire to heal him or her, is a very important part of being a nurse. With that said, I don't think you will make a good nurse. You don't have to cry and be get emotional with every patient, but a desire to help the sick and injured, is what this profession is about.
Two other things I would like to point out:
1, You religion is irrelevant to how good of a nurse you are. I consider myself a good nurse when I was an Atheist, and I think I am good nurse after I found Christ.
2, A lot of illnesses are beyond ones control. I never chose to have asthma. My nephew never choose to have DiGeorge Syndrome either etc.
I am not saying you're a bad person, but based on what you have written. I think you will be very unhappy as a nurse.
I don't think you have to be compassionate to be a nurse - but really think you have to be able to be empathetic. I might not feel your pain, but I can understand how it makes you feel. If I'm not mistaken, that was something my wonderful psych professors drummed into our heads way way back in nursing school. Doubt that has changed in 20 years.
Would the OP make a great or even good nurse? I don't know - I find it interesting that her family, who she says are made up mostly of people with medical degrees, think she would make a great nurse. So either they know something we don't, or she's not telling the whole story.
OP, thanks for your honesty. I lol at it! I'm a career changer too, and if I didn't have a desire to care for the sick or dying, nursing would not be a thought. You have already made the decision to go into Nursing School, so at this point I would encourage you to go into nursing administration, education, or nursing informatics. You don't need to be religious to be a great nurse, but empathy is important. I kinda don't want to see any threads you've created about the difficulties you're having with caring for patients or how the pay isn't what you expected. I think people (including me) would reference this thread. Good luck!
Most hospitals have 'compassion' one way or another in their core values. I am a manager and I would NEVER hire you, even if you were technically and excellent nurse. People are not machines.
"sounds like someone just wants to start an argurment....."
op, this part of your post had just about made me come unglued due to it's passive aggressive arrogance and condescension: "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)"
the moderate challenge????
gee, maybe you are just too darn smart to be a nurse.
Specializes in MCH,NICU,NNsy,Educ,Village Nursing.
Please do NOT become a nurse. No matter how good you think your skills are, your people skills stink, to be blunt, based on your own self=assessment. So yes, please don't.
This makes as little sense as saying "Would I be a good accountant? It's a stable job, but I hate working with numbers." Why shove yourself into a mold that will not be a comfortable fit? I'm sure there are plenty of jobs that are stable, maybe as a lab worker.
Cat_RN, ASN, BSN, RN
298 Posts
This is one of the most disheartening posts I've read in a while. Please never think of coming into nursing again. Judging from what you say, you will hate every minute of it, I promise.
And would you want someone like you taking care of yourself or your loved ones? I wouldn't! You're talking about how 'smart' you are, but I can't believe you'd even consider this field given the way you feel about people.