introverted nurses -what is the best job?

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im an introvert who is having a hard time only recently. for some reason i know it is hurting me regarding jobs. is psych a good field to go into for an introvert? home care was ok but it seems instead of nurses the families were looking for friends or maids.

I'm an extroverted introvert so I find that the NICU has been the best place for my personality. Enough interaction for that pesky extrovert and plenty of time for my introvertness with my patients.

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Okay, old thread, I know but I have to put in my 2 cents. As a born introvert with borderline social anxiety disorder (diagnosed), I would have to recommend something like home hospice or home health nursing, preferably with a small company. You have lots of "down" time between patients, get to stop and have an actual lunch break most of the time, plus there's lots of documentation (more solitary work). I did that for more than a decade before I grew weary of it. I'm currently working in a psychiatric hospital with people who are mostly there because they are "not-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity" and those deemed incompetent to stand trial. I spend most of my time documenting behind a locked door with plenty of down time to do whatever I want. Seriously, the easiest nursing job I've ever had. We are not expected to hold groups/chat with the clients; that is a task relegated to the team of psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, social workers, etc. The LPNs pass out meds. I'm sure different hospitals do this differently but it's always worth looking into, if you're still trying to find your ideal placement. I've also considered WOCN training and may yet still do that when I get weary of this current job.

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Specializes in Ambulatory Case Management, Clinic, Psychiatry.

Im currently an outpatient float nurse (btw different drs offices) and find it's a good fit. Dont have to get to know folks too well. Depending on the assignment and office setup, sometimes it can be tiring not to have time of my own, but the floating means that it varies- each of our offices uses the nurses in a slightly different way. I am an introvert and actually did psych/detox for about 10 yrs. You do more listening than talking- the listening is often therapeutic. I got burnt out on the drug seekers though.

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On 3/12/2010 at 10:56 AM, Purple_Scrubs said:

I am a school nurse and an introvert. For me it is a good fit. I don't mind talking to the little kids, it is adults that drain me, LOL! I am the only nurse, although I do "socialize" with the office staff at least enough to not be considered a snob, and I have become friends with one teacher and one office staff person. There are days when people (adults and kids alike) are in and out of my office all day, or I have to spend what seems like the entire day on the phone, or one of those parents come in who is a BIG talker, and I come home absolutely drained. For the most part, I keep to myself in my office and take care of the kids as they come in.

I just started school nursing as well.  I am an introvert, and this suits me.  I enjoy interacting with people, but it does take energy from me.  I talked to patients all the time in my previous job, so I am comfortable talking to patients.

 

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Specializes in Peds.

Well I’m sure it’s easier now to work as an introverted nurse because we al wear masks and goggles 

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