Grumpy nurses??

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i am always amazed at all the nurses i run into who are really grumpy or unhappy :angryfire . and you young nurses, please don't hate me for saying this, but one surprising thing that i swear is my personal and honest observation: seems the younger the nurses are that i work with, the more likely to not have a sense of humor (students excluded). having entered the profession when i was already a decrepit old lady (or so my daughter tells me...) i often 'quip' to my family that maybe there is such a thing as getting into nursing too young. my theory is that maybe you see alot of serious stuff, too much, before you've developed your joy in life and it makes you so much older than your years. anyway, would love to know from nurse to nurse: do you think you have become a grumpier person since becoming a nurse? or care to pay tribute here to the nicest nursing personality you encounter daily by describing just what makes him/her standout from the others? (and just as an aside, which will probably get me into even deeper hot water... i find the male nurses- not all, certainly, but most!- to be among the happiest i encounter, anybody else experience that?)

"laugh while you can. nobody is heard chuckling in their grave."

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Hi, I feel everyone is different...not based on sex or age. Otherwise those generalizations can really hurt people:o

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I think that people are going into nursing for the wrong reasons. I think that it has become only for the money not for the satisfaction of taking care of a patient. Not for the reward of having a patient say thank you and you can walk away feeling like you did your best. If anyone is going into nursing for the money, do us all a favor and don't. Grumpy nurses give us that care a bad reputation.

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Specializes in OB, NP, Nurse Educator.

I think you are affected by the people you work with. When I was a new grad I worked on a floor where everyone laughed and had a good time even if we were swamped. As though people retired the atmosphere shifted - but so did the way nursing care was delivered. I know I am a grump, but the responsibility of my job overwhelms me and keeps me somber most of the time.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

Disposition definately is based on how the people you work with interact. IMHO if certain shifts are more easy going, lighter and generally more friendly, then the people who work that shift tend to be more so too. Its a little difficult to grouch at someone that smiles at you in the hall, or tells you a little joke to lighten your day.

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Honestly, I can't remember the last time I was as happy as I am now working as a nurse. I love it. Maybe it's the feeling of accomplishment, having graduated, passed boards, began my career etc.., maybe its the complements I get from my patients, I dunno...but I am EXTREMELY happy with my career as an RN. I AM young, 22, and I do have a sense of humor, I firmly belive it's essential. I don't let this sense of humor get in the way of my nursing practice. I find that a light sense of humor in the hsopital setting lightens up the mood dramatically, wether it be the staff or the patients!!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

The grumpiest people I work with are middle aged and have been there for many years. The younger nurses know how to have a good time, let things roll off of them and are reasonably pleasant.

Fortunately I don't work with a lot of grumpy people, or I pay them no mind and don't let them affect me.

Me personally, I'm no more grumpy than when I started. I've always had an easy going, calm personality. I do have my days however, and when I do I hope someone doesn't see me and come make a post like yours. LOL

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Specializes in Public Health, DEI.

Interesting... I find myself to be a much more cynical person now than I was when I was younger. To some extent, I feel like life has kicked me in the head one time too many. On the other hand, I am much better equipped to handle said abuse that I would've been when younger. Overall, I think my countenance was much more cheerful in the days of yon. The only male I work with is an administrative assistant, and to tell you the truth, he is kind of a happy idiot, so I can't really speak to the last part of your observation.

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Specializes in Med onc, med, surg, now in ICU!.

I'm a student RN, but I work as an AIN (CNA for you guys) as the moment. I used to work in a horrible call centre, and I have become a far happier person since I quit that place! So no, I don't think nursing has made me grumpier.

I do find as a student I tend to have less of a sense of humour than I normally would, because I am trying to learn everything I can. Knowing myself as I do, I think I'll be a happy nurse once again when I am settled into my role.

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mercy, the only male assistant a 'happy idiot'?...guess some people's sense of humor comes from just plain having no sense...just never thought about it like that! and in the defense of youth...interestingly, the young nursing students in my class were really positive and kind, its just that we all feared that maybe grumpiness was 'catching' when we all started working on the units and met so many unhappy nurses- and disappointed that we couldn't say it was just the burned out nurses who have been working alot of years who smiled the least...

laughter is a tranquilizer with no side effects.- arnold glasow

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I think you are affected by the people you work with. When I was a new grad I worked on a floor where everyone laughed and had a good time even if we were swamped. As though people retired the atmosphere shifted - but so did the way nursing care was delivered. I know I am a grump, but the responsibility of my job overwhelms me and keeps me somber most of the time.

I have been a nurse for 14 years and I agree with this-and I started YOUNG

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

I think I'm happier and funnier after 38 years in Nursing than when I was a student/new grad/young nurse. In those days, everything seemed so dramatic and serious, I was trying to develop a "career" (these days, I just want a JOB!); I had then, and still do, a very dry sense of humor, almost sarcastic, but I'm more likely to have a smile on my face or be laughing or making someone else laugh. I have been known to be crabby on occassion, no doubt about it, but, overall, I have definitely NOT become grumpier since becoming a nurse.

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