I have a question and PLEASE dont anybody blast me for typecasting, this was not MY statement, it was a LCSW I was friends with. She claims that a huge % of nurses are first born females of alcoholic fathers. Something to do with the fact that as the first born in dysfunction family of origin you are a caregiver from the get-go. Now my father was not an alcoholic, but I am a first born. I was wondering how many of us are first-borns. (Also, she said this to me a long time ago, and I have lost touch with her, so I cannot ask her where the heck she got her information was) I was just starting school at the time and didnt really fight with her about it, just kind of gave her one of the Hmmm, thats an interesting opinion.... answers. Also, she meant it as a compliment, that we take a difficult beginning and build on our strengths and turn them into a career.
Specializes in CVICU, PICU, ER,TRAUMA ICU, HEMODIALYSIS.
First born, Dad was a functioning alcoholic and probably drank as a buffer against mom who has severe personality disorder. I have curly hair, not married to cop or paramedic, but am married and will be 40 years this July 7. Not codependent. Cant remember the other things mentioned.
I'm still in school, but I'm an only child. Father was an alcoholic, as well as maternal grandfather and aunt. My mother is an RN, 2nd born w/ alcoholic father.
Yeah, this is an interesting thread. And my FIRST post.
2nd born, oldest girl, and definitely not the family caretaker- my sister assumed that role since childhood & is an administrator (NOT in the healthcare field) & my youngest sis is a psychologist. There is alot of etoh in my family- and alot of denial; dad was a high-functioning alcoholic & quit when I was 12. However, many former alcoholics replace etoh w/other addictions! Also, I have been told by a counselor that most people in the medical profession are codependent, and I have found this to be a fact! Just b/c there is no family h/o etoh doesn't mean there aren't a multitude of other addictions & degrees of dysfunction out there! Some just aren't as obvious as drinking.
Celia M, ASN, RN
212 Posts
1st born, alcoholic mother, but she definately has always worn the pants!!!!