Introverted nurse+ ER nursing?

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Nov 9, 2012

Most residencies are for new grads without experience. You may not qualify for the position. Nurses in the ED are usually not very introverted and have strong personalities and have no problem voicing their opinions and thoughts on any one. It can be said that ED nurses are slightly aggressive.

What makes you think that the ED is a place you want to work. If you have nice co-workers...."connecting" to someone isn't really necessary. You are there to work not develop social relationships. At work it is a bout the care of the patients and having co-workers that are competent and have your back....not finding friends.

The ED is a fast paced aggressive chaotic environment that goes from being completely over whelmed to a dead stop.

What made you think of the ED?

sserrn, BSN · Nov 9, 2012

I am an introvert, as are many of my coworkers. I've been in the ER for 14 months and do just fine. The type A personality of every ER nurse is a stereotype. You will have to be assertive at times, but that is part of the job and you will develop that as you grow into your role as an emergency nurse. Good luck!

LalaJJB · Nov 9, 2012

Your "rambling" makes me think you'd be a GREAT ER nurse. I'm a lot like you. I dont go out of my way for small talk, in fact i hate it more than anything. I found that ER nursing is what i was born to do because of that fact. i like to keep busy and i like to learn a lot...and most importantly, i dont like seeing the same person and changing their linens 3 days in a row. I know that may seem mean, but the thing I love about er nursing is the fact that I dont see the same people days in a row. I may see the same people...but most of the time it's because they're not sick, they just need their fix. I think ER nursing is perfect for you...

CP2013 · Nov 10, 2012

I think you will do fine. If there's a way to do more shadowing - try it! Maybe seeing it some more will help solidify that this is what you would like to do.

I don't think every ED nurse is assertive. But I also don't think every ED nurse is an island. You need to be willing to small talk occasionally to develop a rapport with your coworkers. Not necessarily your personal life, but about the weather, or a new evidence based study you were reading.

In my experiences, I have always found the most quiet nurse and find a common interest, just to get them talking. Even if it about their passion for running, and I can run across the unit and then I am winded. Just to get a feel for who they are and their work ethic. It helps me understand them as a person. Like getting a health history on a patient, just have a small knowledge to help you figure it out. In the ED, nurses will rely on each other more than in other units. If there's a code or a patient that is going south quick, all nurses must collaborate. Be willing to work together so they will know you need help when you ask.

My old department, we had a lot of transfers from another department that failed to meet the requirements because they had become so independent they forgot to ask for help when they were drowning. Or if they asked, other nurses were hesitant to help but preferred to just take care of the patient entirely because they didn't trust her judgment.

Being an introvert isn't bad. Being an island unto ones self without making some level of a professional connection with your coworkers is.

You at you love to talk when you click with someone. I think that means you are less f an introvert and more just CAUTIOUS. That's an excellent trait, in my humble opinion! I wish you the best of luck in this transition should you decide to pursue it!

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Nov 10, 2012

I did not mean to infer that the OP would not be a good nurse but I meant to reference the ED itself and it can be intimidating. I don't make friends easily either and prefer to keep to myself....but you have to be sure you can stand up for yourself. I don't look to my co-workers to connect with....if it happens it happens.

I agree with CP2013 that you are more cautious than introverted. Good Luck!

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Nov 10, 2012

I'm an introverted ER nurse. I can small talk and be assertive and interact well with others. But it is something that requires energy, and I need plenty of alone time to recharge. I think a lot if people don't really have a good grasp of what it means to be introverted if it's getting equated to being a shy mouse who can't deal with people.

DC Collins, ASN · Nov 20, 2012

I'm introverted. Very. Well, I was. School forced me to get over it a bit, finally being able in the end to be able to speak in front of others without sweating enough to fill a bath tub.

But experience in the ED has gotten me past the rest. I am still quite introverted away from work, but I have learned to 'hide' that fact using techniques I picked up in the ED.

Yes, it does make it harder in the beginning. More with your coworkers than your pts. It is harder to ask questions or ask for help, or to, say, tell the charge nurse that you are drowning. But it *can* be done. Believe me, if *I* can do it, so can you!

Plus, as an introvert, if I had to get to know my pts on the floor, sometimes multiple days in a row with the same pts, that would be *harder* for me as an introvert. In the ED, I learned various icebreakers that get the pts talking to me instead of me having to carry the conversation. Then the pts are gone in a couple of hours (usually) and I have only had time for minimal conversation.

DC :-)

pinksunflower · Jul 18, 2015

I just started to work in the ER. And I am also an introverted person. It is really hard to socialize but if your main reason for being there is for patient care, it wouldnt be an issue because your co workers will see that you are there for a right reason. And, most of the nurses and doctors that work in the hospital that I work with are very much introverted. It would be just fine. Just be yourself and dont try to change who you are, that is all that matters. :)