Hope for Wallflowers

[AnArtist]

Basically, I am a quiet person. It seems like everyone else in my class is pretty talkative and that nurses, in general, are talkative, outgoing people.

In nursing school I've had to really work on this and am generally able to succeed in having small talk with patients to help put them at ease.

The problem is, I am still very nervous talking to more crusty patients or male patients my own age.

I am also kind of wondering if I'm the only nursing student who was ever told she was too quiet.

[cracklingkraken, ASN, RN]

I have to put in more effort than most. I'm normally a fairly shy, quiet introvert, so it takes energy to interact with strangers.

I'm not assertive either, so when I have mean pts, I try to kill them with kindness. But these are not the pts I go above and beyond for (I know, I know - I'm an awful person).

[mindofmidwifery, ADN]

I am also a quiet person, have grown up with people telling me I need to talk more, smile more, asking "why are you so quiet?" I think it really helps that I am working as a PCA, however, everyday I need to prepare myself because I still hate small talk, awkward moments and still shy no matter how much I fake it. That's the key though: faking it. It may be draining but it will help you be successful :)