Not a "people person" - problem?

Nurses General Nursing

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vettech

188 Posts

Originally posted by Furball

on a tangent here but 4 pts in ICU? Wow....

Don't be shocked, check out my handle. I'm a veterinary nurse at current but also an ADN student nurse.

vettech

188 Posts

Originally posted by micro

[hey, vettech,

why do you want to care for the human animal....

there is your answer for you ;)

you will do great if it is your true desire

microin' out of here:eek: :roll :p [/b]

I want to make the transition for the greater challenge primarily. I've hit a plateu in my skill level. I am fortunate in that I work for a specilty group. I get to do a lot of things most vet techs never get to do like telemetry, pace makers, PEG tubes, etc. However, it has been quite a while since I saw or did anythng new. I need variety and to constantly feel like my skills are improving.

I will be honest and say that, yes, there is the economic element as well. RVTs doen't make much, usually less than your average LPN even though I too have an Assoc Degree (which was WAY harder to get than I'd assumed it would be) plus I've sat state and national boards. Its simple economics - Vets make on average 1/3 to 1/2 what a MD makes so their nursing staff will probably make about the same fraction of our human counterparts. There is also a career advancement element. In my line of work, I'm at a point where I'll either have to coast where I am (as far as responsibiity level) or sit in a management chair. No thanks. I still enjoy working with the patients too much to be ready to push a pencil for a living.

I see no reason to assume my level of care will change because I change species. A sick/injured patient deserves my best effort, period. Although I will admit that (good or bad) and injured human does not cause me any greater feeling of compassion than a dog with the same injury. Some might say that means I value humans less than most, but I think it simply means I value dogs more than most. As I said, a patient that needs my help will get it no matter if they are covered in skin, fur, feathers or scales.

vettech

188 Posts

Originally posted by SmilingBluEyes

I agree w/micro here (again). Really examine why you want to work w/humans and not animals....I don't think you have to be a "Total people person" to be a good nurse; but I think the best nurses are, at least somewhat FOND of the human beings they are charged with caring for. And so many humans are SO DISTASTEFUL, I know. But you need to at least like the human race some, I am only saying.

Sorry, I may ruffle feathers here...but I am *VERY* sick of cleaning up emotional messes left in the wakes of "technically wonderous nurses" who really come off gruffly and rough---

(but do a damn good job seeing their physical needs are taken care of). These patients are so NEEDY when I come on.... Patients need a HUMAN touch as much as technical competence for their total care needs to be met!

I would rather see a nice combination in a nurse----someone who somewhat LIKES people and IS technically competent, than one who is too much of either one or the other. Like I said, examine what your motives are, please. It is critical. JMO........as Micro says, i am over and out. Good luck in your decision making process!:kiss

As was said, it is a skill. I'm working on improving it.

I'm thinking, in retrospect, that maybe I was a bit hasty when I started this thread. None of my clients have ever accused me of being cold. In fact, most really like me. However, those outside of work have accused me of being a bit of a cold fish. Perhaps I am better at wearing the mask than I asuumed.

I'm going through a lot of changes lately. I've suffered from depression for half my life and now it is finally going away. For the first time I'm becoming more interrested in my fellow humans. I think maybe I was asking the question based on the "old me". The "old me" loved working ICU overnights alone because I didn't have to put up with those pesky humans. The new me hates it (usually) but still won't give it up because it gives me lots of study time. ;)

Maybe its just cold feet about the career change. Maybe I needa book some time with a shrink. ;)

Thanks to everyone who posted replies. Y'all have given me a lot to think about. I believe I will make a great RN. I know I am smart enough and compassionate enough. My worry is mostly that the patients won't see it. Ah well, we can't all be Mother Teresa. ;)

SmilingBluEyes

20,964 Posts

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

No one expects you to be Mother Theresa. I don't think ANYONE here (including me) told you that! Sounds as if you made your career choice and are comfortable w/it. I wish you well. Good luck in school and your new nursing career to come.

kids

1 Article; 2,334 Posts

I say go for it...if you can be socially appropriate and you have a caring attitude you will do just fine!

I am not a people person...I really don't like to deal with people, talk to people or in general be around people. The only people who know are my husband and kids-none of who are people persons either.

But I am a good nurse because I am able to show that I care without sharing my life history or engaging in pointless babble just to hear my self talk. It is not how much you say but how you say it.

sjoe

2,099 Posts

Specializes in Corrections, Psych, Med-Surg.

vettech--On the other hand, if your were an extrovert, some people might tell you that you would not be a good nurse because you would be too focused on pleasing people, organizing parties, chatting with your coworkers and getting involved in their business, being a "recreation director" instead of focusing on technical details that matter, etc.

Whatever personality you have, whatever your gender, physical appearance, beliefs, economic background, etc. you can always think that it hinders you from accomplishing your goals, if you want an excuse.

As you probably noticed in grade school, thin kids were teased because they were "skinny" and all other kids were teased because they were "fat" or because their parents were, or because they drove a certain kind of car, whatever. People who want to make you doubt yourself can ALWAYS find something about you they consider to be a fault, and you can ALWAYS do the same thing to yourself--no matter what the actual situation.

IMHO.

(I liked people a LOT more before I got into nursing.)

VictoriaG

53 Posts

I have always been a notorious extrovert, but it was an act, a way of hiding something painful. When I first became a nurse 12 years ago, I held myself back from the patients, just as I held myself back from people who loved me. Gradually, I became more and more empathetic, and it changed my whole life, even the way I interact in my personal life. I cannot pinpoint any one incident that changed my perspective. It was a gradual awakening, an understanding of how much I could touch the lives of others in a positive way with a caring touch or word. I learned how wonderful that feels. In the past 7 or 8 years, I have become more tolerant, less self-centered, I have become a person I like. Nursing has done that for me.

I encourage you to pursue a nursing career, if you feel you have the call. Not one of us will say we haven't grown from it.

nimbex, RN

387 Posts

I'd bet that if you reflect upon your care to your current patients... It would be seen as compassionate and carring.

Animals can't speak and tell you what's wrong, you learn to look for small hidden clues for monitoring more than the high tech stuff.

This skill, that I'm sure you have, is invaluable for dealing with patients and families... It will cross over to humans!!!!!!

I bet if you reflect on your interactions with the "owners" of your patients you'll see the resemblence of dealing with stressed families.... your experience is more help than you give yourself credit.

You've reached a stagnant point in your career... time to move on.

You can be an introvert and still care... don't try to fit into some preconceived notion of how a nurse should act... be yourself

Worthy

93 Posts

I am also very good with animals, but not such a great "people person". Also, my first day of school one of my teachers said "IF YOU ARE SHY, YOU WILL NOT MAKE A GREAT NURSE".

I was horrified. I'm pretty shy. But I also CARE a great deal about people, and am horrified when others don't.

While I don't gush, I listen, I care, and I think people get that.

I am not worried anymore.

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