Is Anyone A Highly Sensitive Nurse?

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If so how was your experience?

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

To clarify, are you referring to highly sensitive persons (HSPs) who are overwhelmed by external sensory input such as too much noise and strong smells?

Or, are you referring to emotional sensitivity?

Are You Highly Sensitive? – The Highly Sensitive Person

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To clarify, are you referring to highly sensitive persons (HSPs) who are overwhelmed by external sensory input such as too much noise and strong smells?

Or, are you referring to emotional sensitivity?

Are You Highly Sensitive? – The Highly Sensitive Person

HSP :)

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I am a HSP who basically had to work twice as hard as everyone else to manage the competing priorities, noise, and overstimulation of the typical nursing unit. Ringing phones and constant interruptions also made me crazy and eventually drove me out of the profession (along with a host of other issues). That being said, I think I was a good nurse, and I think HSPs can be wonderful with patients as we are often able to read the subtler signs that all may not be well with their souls, along with their bodies.

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I wonder how a "highly sensitive person" is even able to work in nursing???? After all, this profession does not seem a great fit for the "highly sensitive human being"...

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Specializes in ER.

I have read that book and use its techniques to manage my highly sensitive personality.

The highly sensitive person is someone who needs to recoup from being around a lot of people. We are, however, necessary members of a functioning society, as the book points out. Our heightened perceptions offer much to the group as a whole.

You have to find ways to guard from sensory overload at work. Charting on a computer away from others, charting in the patient's room, taking mini breaks. And enjoying your days off!

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Specializes in ED, School Nurse.

Holy cow this describes my 20 year old daughter to a "T". I sent her the link and she said "Oh look! How to be 'Bobcat's daughter' 101". She and I will be looking into this further. She is not studying to be a nurse, so sorry for the thread hijack- back to your regularly scheduled programming.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

16 of those points were true for me. I have developed the skill of focusing in a high-stimuli environment, with practice.

I do pay for it later. After a sudden, messy death I can feel physically run down for a good week. I've come home late on a Saturday night and said to my husband "I just had a really really difficult death tonight...can you get the kids ready for church in the morning? I know I'm going to be exhausted." Or, we've had takeout a few nights in a row because I felt too tired to cook.

That's just after particularly difficult shifts. With your everyday level of ICU stimuli (including the noise, multitasking, minor stressors here -- not just emotional stuff) I find myself needing some alone time. I have 5 kids age 2-14, so usually this means I stay up later than I should....but it works for me. I'd rather experience some quiet rather than sleep through all of it.

One item on that list stood out, though: the one about performing poorly under observation. Nursing school is FULL of performing under observation. If you decide to go to nursing school, you'll need to either figure that out, or get some therapy for anxiety before starting.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Scored 20. Yep I am sensitive, empathic and highly intuitive. To distraction. And some days, I do retreat to my bedroom, wanting to be left alone after being at work all day, caring for chronically ill, unhappy people.

It's who I am. I cope.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I function just FINE.

I wonder how a "highly sensitive person" is even able to work in nursing???? After all, this profession does not seem a great fit for the "highly sensitive human being"...
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Specializes in ER.

According to the book, American culture tends to look at the HSP as an anomaly, perhaps needing mental health evaluation. The life of the party extrovert is more highly valued and admired.

The author states that a HSP is more valued in Chinese culture. It is more likely to be admired in China.

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Huh, well apparently I am one. Who knew. At any rate, I have no idea how I learned to cope...I just have. I'm kind of a control freak at work I guess. I keep my patient rooms very orderly and "just so," and am big on environmental control to help my patients (e.g., decreasing stimuli and calming environments). My commute is long, so on my drive home I keep the radio off and sit in blessed silence. It helps.

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