I'm a nurse and I don't like people.

Nurses LPN/LVN

Updated:   Published

I went into nursing because I wanted a stable job with decent pay. I also wanted to be able to help people. I'm a compassionate person, but I'm also very introverted. In other words, people suck the life out of me.

The longer I work in this field, the more I realize that I don't care for people much. Not necessarily my patients but other nurses, management, family members of patients, etc. I find most people to be backstabbing, selfish jerks. The blame game runs rampant.

I take awesome care of my patients, they are the only ones who get a pass when they are mean or grouchy towards me but it's the others that I can't stand.

I relish in my time alone, with my boyfriend and dogs. I get invited to work stuff but rarely go because I can't stand the fakeness. I don't have a lot of friends and it doesn't bother me in the least. I like to be alone in my thoughts.

I feel that most people nowadays only care about themselves and I don't even care to get to know them. I probably sound like a complete cynic but I really try to be a good person. Often to the extent that I get completely screwed. My job is my only social life because its enough socializing for me.

Am I the only one that feels this way?

Will I survive nursing?

I am only in my first year of nursing studies but I often wonder to myself if I have chosen the correct profession. I love helping people and always leave work very satisfied in that regard but I am a complete introvert. Dealing with staff members is a draining task to be endured every day and sometimes I get home and can't seem to make myself do anything because I feel so drained.

But something I have had to teach myself and it has taken a while for it to save itself into my brain, is that: I'm not here for the staff members, I'm here for the patients. I am here to help them that is all, I am not here to deal with any one else's drama.

:yes:

If you can find an attitude similar to that you will definitely survive as a nurse. You don't need to be best friends with your co-workers, you just need to be able to work efficiently with them.

Just make sure that when you are away from work you take time to distress, do something you love that will relax you. Forget about everything going on at work and relax.

I find meditation and reading work very well.

Good Luck!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

You are absolutely normal, so don't worry!! I am an extrovert and I hate people too. Years and YEARS of nursing have sucked me dry, worn me out, pissed me off, broken my heart, blown my mind and made me nuts. It has given me the ability to completely emotionally detach from situations when I need to. It has taught more about people than I ever wanted to know. It has also provided me with an insight to some amazing souls and allowed me to witness some of the most inspirational situations there cold possibly be.

There is nothing wrong with being an introvert, if only the balance of intro/extro people was even!

That being said, I am extroverted and enjoy chit chatting at work. There is a difference between getting along well with people at work and being friends, you know? Being friendly at work does NOT have to equate to people invading your personal life. Intro or extro, people in general suck. Do what you have to do for YOU to enjoy your life!! Kudos for making healthy boundaries and not getting sucked into the drama.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

I like my dogs more than most people.

If I had to take care of my dog in the hospital, I probably wouldn't like them either.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in 15 years in ICU, 22 years in PACU.
Conqueror+ said:
I feel ya. I actually prefer books and music to people any day. If you ask my coworkers they would say that I prefer people and am a social butterfly. I adapted that way because I found that it equaled better jobs, more raises, and more opportunities in my life in general. So, much like a white nurses cap I wear it when it's required and when my time "out there in the world" is over, off it comes. I use taking off my bra as a signal or line that "she" is now off duty.

OMG This brings up a super strange memory.

I was getting report and the day nurse actually reached under her scrub top and took her bra off while at the nurse's station. Must have been some kind of habit because right after she rolled her bra up in her hand she sheepishly said, "I guess I just think of you as one of the girls" And to tell you the truth I was so focused on report and taking notes that I didn't comprehend what she was doing until it was done. I guess I thought she was scratching or something.

That was pretty funny. I'm laughing about it again.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neurosciences, stepdown, acute rehab, LTC.

Off topic re: "fake people". That generally annoys me too, seems like some people have no grasp on reality. BUT it is a very stressful environment. I think some people act "fake" just to get by while being professional and I'm sure all they want to do is go home and hang out with their dog too.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CVOR, CVICU/CTICU, CCRN.
anewsns said:
I actually lean toward the extraverted side, but am sensitive to the politics and rudeness at work and find that drains me a lot.

^ This. And the occasional ER patient you really, really want to ask "Now, you put what up where? What the were you thinking?" I don't really like people at that point anymore either.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

What do you all mean by fake? I'm thinking now if I see any fakeness in my coworkers and I'm not coming up with anything.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CVOR, CVICU/CTICU, CCRN.
Libby1987 said:
What do you all mean by fake? I'm thinking now if I see any fakeness in my coworkers and I'm not coming up with anything.

I agree - all my coworkers are pretty genuine. A lot of times, its the patients that I find fake (especially the drug seekers. Their attempts to manipulate the staff irritate me to no end!).

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I used to be an extrovert, but years of dealing with people's drama sapped my joy and made me turn inward. I don't always like it here, but it's more comfortable. I don't have to put up with families or administrators who haven't worked the floor in 20 years, or be social with people with whom I have nothing in common except our jobs. I don't have to smile when I'm sad or angry or embarrassed. I don't have to fake "customer service", I can just be me and treat people the way I myself would like to be treated.

But no, I don't like a lot of people anymore, and I stick close to the friends I have here and IRL.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac, Transplant, Intermediate Care.

I can identify with everything you wrote. Sounds to me that you are quite normal!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I thought I was writing this! Your not alone.....I don't dislike people but being alone makes me happy. I can and do engage in conversation and simple friendships but the over kill of talking isn't for me. So Introverted!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

The title sounds like something I would write! How comforting to know nursing is full of introverts. It often doesn't feel that way at work. I always feel like the oddball.

I'm an introvert and it's been a struggle to force myself to connect with people when I don't feel like it. But I don't want people to feel awkward at the silence and make comments like "you're so quiet"

It's a struggle with you're an introvert but also have poor communication skills. Sigh. Nights have been better to me in this regard, but I somehow can't help but feel inadequate bc i don't have the skills to skillfully maneuver myself in sticky situations with families and patients yet. I can pull off the bare minimum though.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment