Is this true about most nurses..

NecosMom · Mar 14, 2008

Oh my goodness honey, you need to loose the nice girl skin and toughen up!! Im not trying to be direspectfull but to survive in the nursing biz you have to be assertive and stand up for yourself and dont worry about hurting other peoples feelings. This job is not about worrying about what other people think, it's about the patient that requires your compassion and care!!!! having been a shy/worrying kinda girl when I first started, that got tossed to the side very fast. Drs and old time nurses alike will eat you alive if they smell fear and hesitation. Get out there and be the assertive and great nurse that you can be!!!!!!!!!! :nurse:

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2008

The great thing about nursing is all the opportunities. I think there is a happy home for every nurse. It is just a matter of finding it, your clinical's will help you sort out what type of nurse you want to be. I thought all along I wanted to work in Labor and Deliv. But now I am an ICU nurse and could not be happier...

Nightbloom · Mar 14, 2008

I'm pre-nursing so I'm not sure if that's true about most nurses or not. I have noticed that a lot of the pre-nursing students that are planning on enrolling in the Nursing program in August with me are very confident and do speak their minds.

I've worked in the legal field for 12 years. When I first started, I was told that I was too shy, cared too much and I would be eaten up by the wolves so to speak. I developed a thicker skin over time.

I believe that you will become more outspoken and confident as you become accustomed to your career. I don't believe that there is such a thing as caring too much about the people you will be helping. You will probably need to have some sort of a toughness in order to deal with the daily stressors but I believe you will do just fine.

aundrea543 · Mar 14, 2008

I've told some people at work that I'm currently going to school to become a nurse. They told me that I'll be a great nurse because I'm so nice and friendly, but they also told me that most nurses they knew (some of their friends are nurses) are tough people. They said that you have to be tough and be a strong individual, take no crap from anyone, and speaks your mind.
It kind of makes me nervouse about becoming a nurse because I'm not a tough person who speaks her mind. I feel bad saying things I want to say because I'm afraid of hurting other people. I'm the type of person who don't know what to said and step back in an arguement then one who talks back.
My cousin and half sister are nurses and they both are very confidence people who speaks their mind and will burn you down if you argue with them. As for me, I'm the opposite. I guess I'm a soft person.
Do you guys agree with them?

Thanks for starting this thread... I too am a little nervous on this issue. I wouldn't call myself a door mat, but I like to keep the peace whenever possible. I let most things roll off my shoulders or keep my mouth shut and vent in other ways. I can deal with confrontation if I must, but I look to it as a last resort. I have a few friends in the nursing field, and they are... to put it nicely, strongly opinionated and very vocal about it. They don't put up with anything and aren't afraid to be perfectly honest and blunt. I'm a bit of a sugar coater, or at least try to be honest in as nice a way as possible. So... am I going to be eaten alive in this profession?

Keepstanding, ASN, RN · Mar 14, 2008

I think nursing is not for the "faint of heart" ! It is demanding and requires your strength and fortitude. You can be soft at times, but you will need to rely on your strength most of the time. You will see a lot, learn a lot and it's not all pleasant, but it has it's rewards also. You will toughen up with time. And that's not really a bad thing!

Good luck to you. :heartbeat

bagladyrn, RN · Mar 14, 2008

You do need a certain amount of "toughness" when it comes to advocating for your patients - it won't help them at all if you "back down" in trying to obtain the right treatment or prevent the incorrect treatment of them. Nurses who are "afraid to wake the doctor" leave their patients in need in order to avoid conflict. This ability will develop with experience as you learn what is really important. You will gain more confidence as you learn.

However, it is not necessary to be agressive rather than assertive. You can still advocate for your patient without being rude (most of the time).

jessiern, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2008

Honey, when I started I was so meek and mild. And shy as could be. Would never stand up for myself.

Nursing beat it out of me. My husband and co-workers here old friends and family talk about how I used to be and can't believe it. I'm about as out spoken as they come. If it doesn't come natural to you, you usually acquire those traits if you stay it the feild. You have to.

RN1989 · Mar 14, 2008

There is a time to fight and there is a time to step back and wait. Knowing when to do that is important. It is also very important to have the cajones to stand up and fight for what is right when the time comes. That doesn't mean you have to show that side of you all the time. But you must be tough in that you must be able to endure horrible hardships that those who are not nurses do not understand. Being a good nurse is more than just a job. It is part of you. It can make you strong but it can also break you down and make you wish you had never gone to nursing school. Balance is key. Good luck on finding yours.

jackson145 · Mar 14, 2008

It's important to be assertive and outspoken for your patients.

Just don't let your career choice be a pat excuse for poor behavior.

It's one thing to be a bulldog and steamroll over others to protect a helpless patient. It's quite another when that behavior becomes a part of your personality and you begin to exhibit those traits in other aspects of your life and in non-patient advocate situations at work.

nyapa, RN · Mar 14, 2008

Honey, when I started I was so meek and mild. And shy as could be. Would never stand up for myself.
Nursing beat it out of me. My husband and co-workers here old friends and family talk about how I used to be and can't believe it. I'm about as out spoken as they come. If it doesn't come natural to you, you usually acquire those traits if you stay it the feild. You have to.

Nursing educates you. You see things and deal with people in a personal way that you wouldn't in the community. I was like JessieRN...wouldn't say 'boo' to a goose.

Nursing is, first and foremost, communication. You already have your own traits which will help. Others you will learn. We are all developing.

There is no such thing as the 'typical nurse'. Don't let others talk you out of it, particularly if they are not nurses themselves.

The world over needs nurses, from all different backgrounds, and all different personalities, 'k?

Jay

floatRN · Mar 14, 2008

You do need to be assertive as a nurse. But don't worry. You'll learn!! I was very shy when I started nursing school. I was told by an instructor in nursing school that I would get eaten alive in the hospial setting and would never survive because I'm too quiet. I was discouraged by that and wondered if I was choosing the right career. However, once I was working as a nurse, I learned how to speak up and be assertive when neccessary. I now speak confidently to strangers all day long and I persistently advocate for my patients and for my own needs. I definitely think assertiveness can be a learned skill, so don't worry! Just force yourself out of your comfort zone and speak up when you think you need to. Also, there is nothing wrong with being quiet and soft spoken as long as you can be assertive when neccessary. I have had many patients tell me that my soft-spoken nature was very calming and comforting to them.