Cry baby, or emotionally challanged?

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Here goes,

I tend to be an emotional person and I am preoccupied that it may affect the kind of nurse I want to be. When I watch the medical shows, and see things like babies being born, or ER situations with kids, the flood gates open and there she blows:crying2:. I can't keep the tears in.:cry: I eventually plan to become a CNM but am now wondering if my sentimental ways will get in the way.

Any thoughts, advice...recommendations of good tissues?:wink2:

Thanks

Thanks for all the support:yeah:. I am sure if I keep my head in the game, I can hang in there tears or no tears.:redbeathe

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You guys made me feel better, because I worry about the same thing. I cry if a sweet and/or sad song comes on the radio. :cry: I used to get made fun of because of it, shoot, sometimes I still do. You know what though, this is precisely the reason why most of my friends (the same ones who tease me) come to me with vents, frustrations, and support. They know that I am understanding and compassionate. It's also the reason that I feel like I've finally chosen the right career path, as I intend to turn what some call a "weakness" into a strength in nursing. It helps though to hear that others, especially the experienced ones, have done/will do the same thing. It's reinforcement, I suppose.

Laura

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Having read the previous posts, I feel the need to "represent" for tenured nurses, especially those of us who practice in high-drama areas such as critical care or ED.

Emotions are part of being human. However, nursing is all about the patient. When we (nurses) let emotions overwhelm us, it is because we are focusing on ourselves. As time goes on, you will be able to "compartmentalize" your feelings in order to distance yourself from the patient.

This distance is essential; both for yourself and the patient. There is only so much emotional trauma a human can absorb without personal consequences. The consequences may be in the form of "burnout" or self-medication to decrease the pain. Nurses have to react quickly and decisively in times of emergencies - an impossiblity if you are overwhelmed by emotion.

I'm not saying we should not care - far from it. We must always be aware of what our patients are experiencing and treat them with respect and sensitivity and compassion - as if they were our family. At the same time, we have to maintain professional boundaries and distance to protect our own psyches.

It ain't easy.

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Specializes in ER.
Having read the previous posts, I feel the need to "represent" for tenured nurses, especially those of us who practice in high-drama areas such as critical care or ED.

Emotions are part of being human. However, nursing is all about the patient. When we (nurses) let emotions overwhelm us, it is because we are focusing on ourselves. As time goes on, you will be able to "compartmentalize" your feelings in order to distance yourself from the patient.

This distance is essential; both for yourself and the patient. There is only so much emotional trauma a human can absorb without personal consequences. The consequences may be in the form of "burnout" or self-medication to decrease the pain. Nurses have to react quickly and decisively in times of emergencies - an impossiblity if you are overwhelmed by emotion.

I'm not saying we should not care - far from it. We must always be aware of what our patients are experiencing and treat them with respect and sensitivity and compassion - as if they were our family. At the same time, we have to maintain professional boundaries and distance to protect our own psyches.

It ain't easy.

well put. Which is why focusing on a task can help you block out anything you might be thinking regarding feelings. I know not looking at a face, during a particularly stressful code, can be helpful to not personalize things. I try never to remember names or scenarios and move on to the next thing after that horrible thing is done. Get back to work and submerge yourself in another task helps to reorient you to what you need to do. Kind of a mental slap to get back into the game.

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There is nothing wrong with being emotional. And I say this becaue i've always been like you, easy to cry and people have found it strange to see a guy crying.

But as OP have said, you do need to learn how to effectively harness your emotional reactions. Don't lose touch with your empathy, but do it in a positive manner.

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

I used to cry @ Hallmark commercials, nevermind work. I finally went to a psych, and they started me on anti-depressents. That helped a lot. Not saying everyone who "emotes" @ work needs meds, but it can be a symptom for some.

That said, @ work, you do learn as you become more experienced to push that aside in order to get what you need to get done, done.

Best of Luck!!

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I'm exactly like you. The other day I was watching a rerun of Hopkins (not a favorite of this site's posters, I know :p) and I started to cry when a kid was about to go into surgery, when the mother started crying, and when the kid was playing soccer in end and he was all healthy. I cry when I watch a Baby Story. I tear up when I see kids in pain. I cried when my sister got married...and again when she gave birth (She was a few hundred miles away in another city). Hell, I even cry when I watch Grey's Anatomy sometimes. I cry when I'm sad, as well as when I'm happy.

Will I grow out of it? Probably not. But I'm hoping I can save the tears when I'm finally in a real life situation where I need to cry, and go home and do it. :rolleyes:

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Hi i am going to be in nursing school in the next coming month 600 applied and 100 got in. I chose nursing mainly because i think it would be a rewarding career especially since i will be taking care of people and/or saving peoples lives. Also, i am happy that it only takes two years to get your RN. I care about people for the most part, i am book smart i can memorize anything :), but the only problem i am facing is i am overly emotional and sensitive about everything. I see everyone saying you need a thick skin to be a nurse so its making me wonder if i will even be a good nurse. I have no friends where i am living, because i just recently moved to this area so i fell like i have no support and im afraid i might not make new friends. I have had a hard life, can anyone please offer their feedback on this if they've been in this situation.:cry:

Thanks

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