I forgot that I was supposed to be faking it...

Nurses Stress 101

Published

It's been brought to my attention that I have to step up in the social game of nursing because I'm the undesirable combination of introvert and shy. However after being disrespected once and still being disrespected and being sick made me took my lunch times in refreshing isolation. I needed relaxation. I totally forgot to pretend to be a social butterfly. It's already hard to pretend to be okay. Now, around nine months have already passed. ****. What am I supposed to be asking and what's the answer?

Let's see. Is it possible to still save my game? Or should I just let hell break loose and seek retribution of my enemies. :yes: I feel that I need to get rid of one stressful factor to force my eyes to smile.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC and Pediatrics.

Maybe seeing a mental health therapist would be in order to help you deal with the stress you are feeling. On the other hand, I don't get why so many think we have to spend the whole shift with others, our break should be our break to decide to eat with or without others.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in TMS, Education, Simulation.

I spend my breaks alone. I have for five years. I got some snarky comments at first - my favorite being "To make friends, one must appear friendly". But I explained to them that I'm introverted, and that "me" time is necessary for me to reorganize my brain and continue my shift effectively. They've been pretty supportive of my need for occasional isolation since then. I don't think it's a big deal?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Telemetry, Step-Down, Med-Surg, LTC, PACU.

I don't see anything wrong with it. In fact, I would think it's a good mental break YOU need especially if you are introverted. If you explain this kindly and they still are snarky just ignore them. I do agree having a good relationship where possible serves you best but I also know better as an introvert and pretty shy person myself that I need that time alone to regroup.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

You can take your needed breaks and still be perceived as friendly. They are not mutually exclusive.

I suspect that since you are seeing this as an "either-or," "black vs. white" situation, you are resenting the need to appear friendly and not seeing the possibilities for compromise.

And the comment about seeking retribution on your enemies suggests that maybe your colleagues are at least partly right about you not wanting to be friendly and be a member of their team. And if you really think of them as enemies and don't want to get along with your co-workers, then maybe you should find somewhere else to work.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.

I am friendly with most all my coworkers, yet in most situations I like to spend my 30 minute lunch alone--as someone else said, there is not an either-or between having lunching alone and being friendly.

I apologize if I over step here, but is there something else going on? I find it a bit strange to mention that you will be letting "hell break loose" and you fear "retribution of" your "enemies." I am not there and don't know what is going on, but these seem to a bit unusual consequences of being shy.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Let's just say that I am working with some people afflicted with superiority complex. And, I... don't like being stepped on. Most especially if the one stepping on me is smiling while doing so because, you can't cry bully/call someone mean if they are smiling.

And if you really think of them as enemies and don't want to get along with your co-workers, then maybe you should find somewhere else to work.

Yeah. But why quit when, instead, I could suck it up for a while and be promoted higher in the food chain. *evil laugh*

(That last one's a joke. I'll never do unto others what I don't want others to do unto me.)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment