FNP social anxiety

allnurses Guide · Dec 16, 2015

Have you tired shadowing some local NPs? That really is the best way to tell...

I think social interaction is one of the most important aspects of the job (i.e. the history, 90% of dx comes from the history). Are you ok interacting with other people or groups of people in a structured environment?

anh06005, MSN, APRN, NP · Dec 17, 2015

So I hate people overall. I really do. I hate groups of people and even my closest friends and family are only welcome for so long in my house. I'm really more of an introvert but I do have anxiety that is worse in social situations.

When I am at my job I can play the role. Put on the poker face. Act like the story I'm hearing is the most awesome (or horrible) thing in the world even if the patient has told me before or I know it's not quite accurate. When I'm in the nurse or NP role I can play it.

I'm not overly friendly or chummy with co workers. Don't talk about my personal life. I'm not rude at all and we do have fun together but, overall, there are plenty of times I keep to myself cause I'm more comfortable that way. I have my office where I can go, turn on Pandora and my space heater and chart or eat lunch if I'm feeling like I need to get away.

I think it is possible for people who aren't overly social or have some issues to succeed as long as you can play the role. I work primary care so I only have to deal with each patient for 15 minutes or so. If I know someone is chatty I ask the nurses to say something needs my attention if I take too long because sometimes it's tough to cut off the stories with people.

Can you handle it? I think it just depends. Have you been able to work other places? If you can handle working the register at a retail place or fast food and know you can deal with people then probably. You will make some serious decisions with possibly life threatening complications so I'm not trying to compare them directly BUT if it's mostly the "dealing with people" thing then you learn how to make the tough decisions.

PG2018 · Dec 17, 2015

I make no effort to lead unless I'm in a leadership position. Otherwise, I'm the passive, quiet guy at the back of the room. Fortunately or unfortunately, I've had maybe two jobs in my life that weren't leadership roles. If MY patients weren't coming into MY office for an evaluation based on MY cognitive abilities then I really wouldn't give them the time of day, i.e. if we were just sitting in a waiting room, on a train (not that I've ever been on a train), etc. They don't make me anxous. I just don't care to chat.

For the anxious types, try psychotherapy. Meds may be helpful. Who can say because we really don't know why the meds help, lol, but when people take them they tend to get better.

mayrod · Dec 17, 2015

Boston FNP I am comfortable talking one and one, not groups, but after I get to know a person. Im very much an introvert an INFJ personality type. Thanks for responding.

mayrod · Dec 17, 2015

PsychGuy - I don't care for small talk either. Its comforting to know that Im not the only one.

cards · Dec 19, 2015

I'm an introvert and yes you can do this job well and still have social anxiety (hopefully you are managing it in healthy ways).

Scarlettz, BSN, RN · Jan 1, 2016

OP, are you as a nurse right now or are you a student? If you are a nurse, have you found that your SA has lessened with nursing experience? I have never been diagnosed with SA but I am pretty certain I have had it all my life. I think many people would even be surprised that I am a nurse. But, with time and experience as a nurse, I have been more comfortable, confident, and less anxious socially because of what I do. I think that you might find this to be true, too. I don't think patients care whether or not you have SA as long as you are caring and are good at what you do. You don't have to be overly social, but you do have to be polite and respectful of your patients. I think as long as you are that, then you could do it. You will become less anxious with experience.

And as quiet and socially anxious as I may be, I only think it is a problem if it prevents me from doing what I want to do in life. So far, I have done everything I set out to do!

Whispera, MSN, RN · Jan 1, 2016

I have social anxiety and haven't died from it yet, even though I feel like I surely will. Each time I don't die when with others, it reinforces, the next time, that I won't die then either. My motto is, "just do it," meaning do my work, grab the joy from it that is there alongside the anxiety, and accept that I am who I am...

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Jan 8, 2016

INFJ as well. I'm in NP school, starting second clinical semester next week.

I can interact fine with my patients because I can play a role - at work, it's that of nurse, at clinical, it's that of NP. The thought of going to clinical every day makes me nervous and I have to talk myself into it every single time, but once I get there and start interacting with patients in the role I'm playing I'm fine.

Always gotten good marks in clinical (undergrad and NP) and at work for interacting well with patients. For me, it is a case of fake it til you make it.

When I'm done at work or clinical I come home, put on my pjs and talk minimally because I have to recharge.

anh06005, MSN, APRN, NP · Jan 11, 2016

INFJ as well. I'm in NP school, starting second clinical semester next week.
I can interact fine with my patients because I can play a role - at work, it's that of nurse, at clinical, it's that of NP. The thought of going to clinical every day makes me nervous and I have to talk myself into it every single time, but once I get there and start interacting with patients in the role I'm playing I'm fine.
Always gotten good marks in clinical (undergrad and NP) and at work for interacting well with patients. For me, it is a case of fake it til you make it.
When I'm done at work or clinical I come home, put on my pjs and talk minimally because I have to recharge.

I think we could be long lost twins. Except I'm INTJ.

mayrod · Jan 11, 2016

Thanks for the encouragement. Ive been a nurse for 7 years but most of it not with direct patient contact. That is probably the issue. I havent exercised my social muscle for some time. I just feel that people are drawn to extroverted chatty individuals and that my social anxiety may turn off some patients. Hopefully Im wrong!