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Discussion

How has nursing changed you?

Hello :)

What were you like before starting nursing/nursing school? What kind of personality did you have?

I'm a college freshman who's very interested in nursing. But there's a lot about the career that worries me. The high stress, physical and emotional demands, having to always be "on top of things" throughout 12 hour shifts, dealing with bad patients, etc...

But it's such an amazing career and I'm really interested in it. The science of it is what really interests me. And of course, making a difference in people's lives.

I have always been a shy and quiet person, and I'm interested to see how nursing will bring me out of my shell!

On a side note, I've considered other careers in the medical field like laboratory work, but I can only see myself becoming bored. Plus, all the different specializations of nursing is what I prefer in a career.

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    • Expert
    Hello :)

    What were you like before starting nursing/nursing school? What kind of personality did you have?

    According to William Wright's Born That Way, outer manifestations of the personality are merely the result of a genetically predisposed template.

    In answer to your question, Corgilicious, I am who I was before starting nursing school 34 years ago. I'm merely just much more tempered.

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    Before: I was a young woman who lived at home with her parents, had few responsibilities. I held a student job that was part time. It was enough to pay my tuition and expenses (except room and board). Between school and work, I still had lots of free time for a boyfriend and social life.

    After: Nursing was my first "real" job. It was a job that demanded more from me than any ice cream scooping, movie popcorn selling or CNA job ever could. The responsibility and stress were high. I was newly married and had just bought a house.

    Time became a treasured commodity and self-care to handle the new level of stress became important.

    Nursing hasn't really changed who I am, but it was my first step into real adulthood, and that is a big step.

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    • Expert
    What were you like before starting nursing/nursing school? What kind of personality did you have?
    I was introverted with a reserved personality prior to becoming a nurse. I also did not fully comprehend the subtle social nuances that govern everyday interactions between people. I was definitely not the sociable life of the party.

    I have always been a shy and quiet person, and I'm interested to see how nursing will bring me out of my shell!
    After 11 years in nursing, I am still an unsociable introvert with a reserved personality. The major difference is that I now understand interpersonal relationships and social nuances better, which enables me to fake interest in the very people who would become offended if I failed to say "Good morning."

    I now realize that people care far less about your work ethic than meets the eye; however, they place a massive emphasis on how they feel around you. If coworkers enjoy being around you, sloppy work performance is often forgiven. On the other hand, tiny mistakes are amplified if coworkers dislike you, even if you are smart and technically proficient in your role.

    The dominant way that nursing has changed me is that it has enhanced my views on death and dying. In my opinion, there are far worse things than death.

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    I don't think nursing has changed me at all. Life sure has though. Motherhood, loss, joy, opportunities, health, exposure to many more good than bad people.

    I was a silly boy crazy girl when I entered nursing school. I was slow to mature despite working as an RN beginning at 22. After my 2nd child was born, my fierceness began to develop. After nearly raising all 3 kids whom were/are healthy and happy, I developed gratitude. Losing my father who always adored me at 88 to natural causes and having lived a life of relative privilege due in most part to being born middle class white in the US, I understood what it meant to be fortunate. And GD lucky.

    All of THAT changed my nursing.

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    I think I am a more gentle person now. I also used to be more judgemental, and would look at people and go "How can they do...xyz...." I have seen suffering and pain now up close. I don't judge people for their choices or how they got where they are. I used to be a more careless person in my personal life; I am much more cautious now. I also take help when people offer it! In the past I thought I was the only one who could do things; now I'm like heck yes help me out! Now I LISTEN more and talk less. Not that I am perfect but I have talked myself back from sniping when I ask...does it have to be said...right now...by me? I used to work all the time; now I work only when scheduled and savor my time off.

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