Is Anyone A Highly Sensitive Nurse?

Published

If so how was your experience?

Specializes in NICU, Newborn and Maternal Health.

Yes!!! I score 19/20. I actually discovered Elaine Aron's work through struggling with HSP as a parent. I used to work straight nights in the NICU which helped a lot.

I'm actually working on an article right now of tips for HSP nurses. For me, I make sure that my monitors aren't dinging unnecessarily and the volume isn't too high (ours default to higher than they should be for NICU noise anyway.) I try to have gum to chew if I have to be in the OR because the masks bother me. I try to take breaks alone or outside instead of always socializing in the breakroom (assuming we get breaks!) I find I have to be careful with how much caffeine I consume in a shift too.

I also set aside time before work and after work to sort of center. I pick music and podcasts intentionally on my drive that will help my mood so I'm not overstimulated in the door. I'll even grab a starbucks and sit and take a little break before work (I go to work after being with my kids all day.) I try not to do too many overstimulating things during the day before my evening shift. I also avoid working days. :locktopic: The sheer amount of people on days with rounds ect makes my brain explode.

It's totally possible and for me I think it makes me a better NICU nurse. I'm more aware of the lights and the noise that we are supposed to minimize anyway and I'm really good at picking up subtle cues that a baby is decompensating or that parents are about to lose it. My favorite was straight nights though dark and quiet. (although that totally depends on which department!)

I did try working emerg early in my career and for me it was a no go, way to much going on. Since finding my niche though it's been great.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Looking through that list, you'll notice that some of the traits are positives for nursing, such as being sensitive to people's needs, conscientious, noticing details, and trying hard to avoid mistakes/missing things. Some are neutral - startling easily, having a complex inner life, being sensitive to caffeine, being deeply moved by arts and music. And some are negatives - being easily overwhelmed, needing to go off by yourself, getting rattled with having a lot to do in a short time. Some are double-edged swords - being sensitive to other people's physical or emotional pain is good, as long as it doesn't overwhelm you or keep you from doing your job, since sometimes necessary things cause pain (injections, wound treatments, etc.).

It's a matter of learning to manage the negatives, as well as picking appropriate work environments - a busy ER is probably not going to be the ideal environment, especially if you're just starting out, but there are plenty of environments that are less overstimulating.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.
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"...

I don't think this profession is a great fit for most people! Give me a break! Constant alarms, short staffing, chaos, multiple interruptions and insane lift requirements etc are the norm of bedside nursing. 12 Hr shifts allow the hospitals to get someone to do 4 hours of overtime without overtime pay. It is not a good thing, I really don't know how moms do it!

HSP is a synonym or way to label a shy person and or someone with PTSD if you ask me.

There is no concern about the nurses in the hospital environment. Stupid articles about the dangers of alarm fatigue, but then the hospital turns around and adds even more alarms, one was even added to the break room so you couldn't get away from it even on your break! But you can bet if a critical alarm is missed the nurse will be hung out to dry. We should be looking into less alarms not more! The alarms stress out both the nurses and the patients and are even known to cause HTN. I think there should be a redesign of the hospital environment that is more humane to everyone patients and staff!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I wonder how a "highly sensitive person" is even able to work in nursing????
I coped for numerous years by working night shift. Nights have less management figureheads, physicians, family members, visitors and other annoying people. Less people results in lower noise levels and reduced stimulation.

I now work from home and only see my 'coworkers' once or twice a month during staff meetings, which suits me well. The less contact with those people, the merrier. Also, due to being away from the bedside, I no longer deal with certain aggravating smells such as yeasty abdominal fold stench.

Today I dealt with sensory overload at two public places: the public library (too many crying children) and a clothing store (loud, annoying oldie songs blaring through the overhead speaker system). I struggled to concentrate.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

try to take breaks alone or outside instead of always socializing in the breakroom (assuming we get breaks!)

I'll even grab a starbucks and sit and take a little break before work (I go to work after being with my kids all day.) I try not to do too many overstimulating things during the day before my evening shift. I also avoid working days. :locktopic: The sheer amount of people on days with rounds ect makes my brain explode.

I also do these things, and didn't even realize until just now that I do them for the reasons you stated. I take my breaks alone and prefer it that way, I like a calm quiet day before my shift, and I always arrive at work early before my shift so I can take my time getting dressed and drink coffee and mentally prepare. I also loathe days because of the sheer number of people around and the chaos/noise.

Well this has been enlightening....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
HSP is a synonym or way to label a shy person and or someone with PTSD if you ask me.

Shy is a way to label an introvert/HSP, if you ask me. The word shy to me includes connotations of fearing social interaction. I don't fear it, I just find it very draining, even if it's interaction I enjoy. Especially if it is interaction that is emotionally demanding, such as "customer service" style nursing care. Talking to a "shy" person about them "coming out of their shell" when the environment allows can be quite rude when they're just doing their thing.

I don't tend to be too overwhelmed by sensory input (though it takes an enormous effort to stay on task) unless I'm already stressed, but I'm very sensitive to the emotion/pain state of the people around me (and a whole host of other things on that checklist). It's been a gradual process of learning to cope.

And there's absolutely nothing wrong with needing time to recoup after a rough shift. I do not apologize for needing my down time, and I have built my life to accommodate that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I coped for numerous years by working night shift. Nights have less management figureheads, physicians, family members, visitors and other annoying people. Less people results in lower noise levels and reduced stimulation.

I miss the night shift ambiance so much, but my body just refused to keep on with it. Definitely a good option.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.

I don't think HSP and introvert are really synonymous, as some of you are leaning toward. I scored only an 8/20 on that HSP list, but I'm definitely a social introvert. I feel my energy draining as soon as I walk into a party, and I certainly can't socialize two days in a row because I'll get too worn out.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Newborn and Maternal Health.
I don't think HSP and introvert are really synonymous, as some of you are leaning toward. I scored only an 8/20 on that HSP list, but I'm definitely a social introvert. I feel my energy draining as soon as I walk into a party, and I certainly can't socialize two days in a row because I'll get too worn out.

I agree. I'm actually more of an extrovert in the right settings (not to overwhelming) I hate being alone but I do need the calmer, quieter social interactions. In the research people who were HSP were more likely to be introverted but they are not synonymous

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I don't think HSP and introvert are really synonymous, as some of you are leaning toward. I scored only an 8/20 on that HSP list, but I'm definitely a social introvert. I feel my energy draining as soon as I walk into a party, and I certainly can't socialize two days in a row because I'll get too worn out.

Fair enough! I'm definitely both, and I think "shy" can be a box either gets put into.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think that I'm an HSP nurse. I scored 12 on the q and a. Lately, I have been getting waves of nausea and had one episode of vomiting in the middle of cleaning a patient up. I had cleaned the patient three times even though he had a rectal tube ..but the fourth time it was sensory overload. Just thinking about it is making me feel queezy right now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I scored 4. I am sensitive to the needs of candy crush developers. Barring that I don't spend money on it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion