ICU Nurse Personality Traits?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I realize that this is probably a chicken-or-egg type of question, but do you feel that ICU nurses share certain personality traits?

What traits are they and why?

I'm trying to figure out if I'm suitable material for ICU, to be honest. I'm doing a lot of soul-searching on this because it entails a lot of work just to get to the interview process, and I want to make sure it's right for me.

I've always thought I should be in ICU, but maybe that's an outdated idea. Maybe I'm simply not up to it--physically, emotionally, intellectually--any more.

So I thought I'd ask you for your thoughts on what it takes to make a good ICU nurse.

Are we confusing aggressive with assertive?

Well said, Thunderwolf.

Oh, and I have to laugh at the "anal" post. Attention to detail many times is the difference between an alive patient and a dead one.

Most ICU nurses I work with are:

- confident (not arrogant)

- stubborn, vocal patient advocates

- strong personalities who aren't afraid to have an "animated discussion" about the best plan for a patient

- outspoken

- detailed

- ALL are TEAM players (notice how this comes up in nearly all the posts)...you can't really be one of those people who wants to be left alone and take care of her/his own patients

- VERY protective of "their" patients

- thick-skinned

- willing and eager to keep learning, and learning, and learning

- like ALL nurses, must be able to multitask and organize

I don't think any of these qualities precludes a nurse from being compassionate, caring and wonderful with families. Many have the whole package. :)

Yep yep yep... what she said!!!

+ Add a Comment