I'm not a people person....

Trauma Columnist · Nov 19, 2003

Gosh - I'm the charge nurse in an ER and my opinion is that you HAVE to be a people person - otherwise how could you deal with things??

unknown99, BSN, RN · Nov 19, 2003

:eek: How could you be a nurse and not be a people person??????? That is exactly what a nurse is!!!!

ktwlpn, LPN · Nov 20, 2003

Most days I like my cats way more then most people-especially some of my co-workers.And I have days where I don't like any one....But I manage to front well....

sbic56, BSN, RN · Nov 20, 2003

Originally posted by ktwlpn
Most days I like my cats way more then most people-especially some of my co-workers.And I have days where I don't like any one....But I manage to front well....

Indeed. We are the greatest performers at times, aren't we? Nothing wrong in that. Nursing is terribly demanding and no one can be "on" at all times; but when the show must go on, it's important to know how to hold up appearances. It's a skill.

mario_ragucci · Nov 20, 2003

*abstract*

Are we defining a people person as one who simply relates well to others a majority of the time? Or are we identifying people who are lop-sided with their interpersonal human relations? Today, it's unknown just how individualized a person has become.

I feel a people person is one who loves. Loveis an emotion, yet it's also positive energy we sense. maybe not. To love your career, or the people you help and those you bond with.

sjoe · Nov 20, 2003

"people person" is one of those "cutsie" terms that mean a variety of things. a term with no denotation, only connotations, in short, like the word "love." so you don't know what this person meant when she used it.

all in all it reminds me of the guy who once said, "the more I am around people, the more I like my dog." I tend to agree.

CougRN · Nov 20, 2003

i agree you don't necessarily need to be a "people person" to be a nurse or charge for that matter. i don't always like people but i find a way to work with them. i earned respect on my unit through my actions and ability to stay calm in emergency situations. it doesn't mean i want to hang out with all the people i work with. but being able to relate to people does make my job easier. we all find a way to do our jobs and do them well. after work i prefer to be with my dog too.

allnurses Guide · Nov 20, 2003

Originally posted by sjoe
"people person" is one of those "cutsie" terms that mean a variety of things. a term with no denotation, only connotations, in short, like the word "love." so you don't know what this person meant when she used it.

all in all it reminds me of the guy who once said, "the more I am around people, the more I like my dog." I tend to agree.

Yeah, I agree. I would characterize myself as a loner . . not a people person and yet I work well with my co-workers and we all have a real team spirit.

My mom says I grew up with my face in a book. I love to go out to lunch by myself and read. I enjoy solitary walks.

I think you can be a good leader without being whatever a people person is defined as.

steph

sbic56, BSN, RN · Nov 20, 2003

Originally posted by stevielynn
Yeah, I agree. I would characterize myself as a loner . . not a people person and yet I work well with my co-workers and we all have a real team spirit.

My mom says I grew up with my face in a book. I love to go out to lunch by myself and read. I enjoy solitary walks.

I think you can be a good leader without being whatever a people person is defined as.

steph

Ditto on that, steph. Good post.

Tilleycs · Nov 20, 2003

I guess it depends on how you define being a "people person". I've worked with and known people who said they weren't that, when what they REALLY should have said was, "I'm spoiled, selfish, inflexible, stubborn, and do not want to have to be part of a team. I'm happy as long as I get my way, because I'm the most important person on the planet and shouldn't have to be subjected to the same hassles and inconveniences as everyone else."

I've also known and worked with people who DID claimed to be "people persons" who were really just people PLEASERS (i.e., they had to have others' approval and attention so they could feel good about themselves, wanted someone to constantly gossip with so they could run down their co-workers and/or management all the time, couldn't make decisions and operate independently, or were politicking for a higher position).

I think the more secure you are in yourself and the older you get, you realize that you do need some time away from everyone. It doesn't mean you're not a "people person", you've just learned the value of rest, quiet, and recharging your batteries.

Azdream'nRN · Nov 20, 2003

My former sister in law described herself as "not a people person." She never even had children. Each year was the same predictable Christmas gift. And that was something from Hickory Farms for every family. She was hospitable when you went to her home, she was a vet, was EXCELLENT with animals and was downright HONEST. Never cheated ANYONE or lied. She was more of an intellectual type than anything else. I mean, she read volumes of books, some of them, I cannot even grasp the concepts. she could read for hours on end about science, chemistry and other science subjects. She was truely a gifted individual. I do not hold this thing against her, that she said she could not relate to people well. I think if one is not a people person, then one should find a career in other than nursing because of something called vocational aptitude.