Is it possible to be too emotional for nursing?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Right now I'm a freshman undergrad and am undeclared. I've been thinking a lot of what it is I want to do in life, have talked with career counselors at my school, and researched.

After a lot of thinking I liked the thought of becoming a nurse. I'm a very caring person and I love helping others. I want to choose a career where I'm up and moving and feel like I'm making a difference and helping others. I also want to make sure that I choose a career that will always be in demand no matter where I go, and has a decent salary. When I mentioned this to my parents, they said I was too emotional for nursing.

I'm really interested in pursuing something in the medical field, but my concern is that it might be too emotional draining for me. I don't think I would mind long shifts, seeing and dealing with messy things, etc. I'm just worried about how emotional I can get. I realize being compassionate is something a nurse needs, but is it possible to have too much of it? I'm also wondering if for very emotional people it can be something they just get used to after a while and it helps make them stronger...or if it will just break someone so emotional?

Specializes in ER / Critical Care.

I'm also a crier! Happy cries, sad cries, angry cries.... The ASPCA commercials get me everytime!! I'm awaiting my acceptance letter to nursing school and I hope I'm making the right choice (to pursue nursing) this is a good thread! Thanks to everyone's insightfull posts :)

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Did you say you were pre-nursing? Allow me to start you down the rabbithole which you'd eventually descend on your own anyway.

Time to self-diagnose! Do you have pseudobulbar affect?

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I have seen many students choose to leave nursing school because they realized that they could not seperate themselves from the patient situation. Not a knock on them at all and in fact kudos to them for coming to the realization. In most cases they were very young and immature. I hope to see them back once the get a few miles on them........

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Specializes in Emergency, Pre-Op, PACU, OR.

Being emotional is fine, but you should be able to 1) not let it affect the care of your other patients (for example if you have one case that makes you more emotional than the others) and 2) go home and move on with your own life. If you'll bring every patient you have emotionally home with you, then you won't be healthy in your own life. Learn how to draw a line between work and personal life. Of course you will remember and be touched by truly memorable cases, but I am talking about the majority of patients you encounter.

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Specializes in Nursing.

I am really not emotional at all. In fact, for the most part - I get rather annoyed at some of the touchy-feely nurses, and kind-of wish they would knock it off! LOL! We have a job to do - let's do it. HOWEVER ... I actually think each nurse has her own place, and his/her own calling. I happen to be all-business, NOT someone who cries, and NOT someone who becomes overly connected. I have friends that are in Hospice, and they are some of the most compassionate, caring people I know! I really think it is valuable to the profession to have such kind-hearted nurses :-) I also do see their toughness inside. I know I am NOT that nurse, I don't really WANT to be that nurse - and I won't put my self in a position where that sort of nursing is expected of me. I am called to something different. I think we all have our own niche, and it is up to us to find it - and honor all of the parts of ourselves for what they are :-)

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
That story broke my heart! And at the same time reinforced why I want to be a nurse! Thank you for posting something so personal and please know that your story has had a great effect on me.

Also, best of luck to your friend having (or have already had?) twins!

Had...I believe they are in college and one has children of their own.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Dear GOD! What a story, I am in tears!! I'm quite the softy and wonder the same thing about myself. I cry when I watch the news or sometimes my soap opera. I am a cryer, but I am still going to try this profession and hope that it makes me stronger. Good luck!

I'm a cryer too. You just have to cry t the right time and be able to move on.

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I was in a CNA open house last week, the teacher shared a story about a CNA cared for a dying patient. I could not hold my tears any more before she had finished the story, the woman sat next to me was sobbing too. I think we are all human beings with a gentle heart.

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One1 wrote mostly what I would like to say, but I mostly agree with everyone.

It would be good to get some experience to see how you handle it. Get your CNA lic and work in a nursing home, try out home health or hospice. Or you could volunteer in a hospital (and not in the gift shop). I have worked in a nursing home for a little less than 3 years (I am in my 3rd sem of nursing school, ADN) and sometimes people think I am steely because I do not get all choked up about people dying. I do sometimes, but I have come to accept that dying is a part of life. I think the way a person goes out can bother me a lot more than the fact that they died. For example a person who dies alone, versus the one surrounded by their family. Nursing will force you to face your own fears and emotions and solidify your own personal philosophy of life.

I also think that the experience can help you figure out what kind of nurse you would like to be. Not all nurses deal with person to person contact all day long.

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Hey guys,

I visit this site all the time (but have never posted before), please deal with me while I catch the hang of it. I have a problem with being too timid and unsure of myself. I made it through my first year, but did not make it through med. surg. 2. I had to repeat my first class cuz I didn't own a laptop and couldn't keep up with the homework, so there goes my 2 entries into the program. I'm on the older side of the class. I wanted so much to graduate as an RN and now I'm not even sure if I have the confidence to be an LPN. A friend compared this schools' method of teaching to being like trying to catch a bucket of sand that someone just threw at you. Grab what you can and hope it's enough. I learn best by watching a demonstration first, and that never happened. I realize that you won't get demonstrations in real life but is it wrong to at least hope for some help when you're green? I guess I'm wondering if I will be able to gain enough confidence in myself, and what it's like for a brand new LPN? Will there be any guidance or training at the start? It feels like I've got stage fright. I forgot to add that I have been a CENA off and on for the last 15 years, so I'm not afraid to touch or talk to people. I'm scared of being judged by people I admire.

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Hey guys,

I visit this site all the time (but have never posted before), please deal with me while I catch the hang of it. I have a problem with being too timid and unsure of myself. I made it through my first year, but did not make it through med. surg. 2. I had to repeat my first class cuz I didn't own a laptop and couldn't keep up with the homework, so there goes my 2 entries into the program. I'm on the older side of the class. I wanted so much to graduate as an RN and now I'm not even sure if I have the confidence to be an LPN. A friend compared this schools' method of teaching to being like trying to catch a bucket of sand that someone just threw at you. Grab what you can and hope it's enough. I learn best by watching a demonstration first, and that never happened. I realize that you won't get demonstrations in real life but is it wrong to at least hope for some help when you're green? I guess I'm wondering if I will be able to gain enough confidence in myself, and what it's like for a brand new LPN? Will there be any guidance or training at the start? It feels like I've got stage fright. I forgot to add that I have been a CENA off and on for the last 15 years, so I'm not afraid to touch or talk to people. I'm scared of being judged by people I admire.

I say pull up them boot straps and trudge on! Be confident, I try to always say when I am a nurse, not if! You can do it! I'm on the older side too, I understand how hard it is to go back to school when you are older. I just try to take it one day at a time and tell myself yoda's mantra "there is no try, do or do not", cheesy I know but helps me stay on my path! It sounds like it is your time to shine! So shine on and show the people you admire what you are made of! :redpinkhe

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Specializes in none.

Other than the part of always finding work, Well right now no but things might change in the years before you graduate. As for the other stuff go for it, what have you got to loose? Go for it. It's not for everyone, you will see the worst in human being. The constant suffering might get on your nerves. But it you wanted that much go for it.

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