Personality holding me back?

rbc2093 · Jan 8, 2014

Don't be discouraged! I'm a bit quiet too but working in the hospital has definitely helped me with my interaction with people. I started nursing school with no hospital experience and on the first clinical I was a fly on the wall watching my partner do all the talking ha. But in the interview I was a bit shy too but quickly got comfortable, smiled and tried to present myself well, by looking like I want the job.

s-whnp, NP · Jan 8, 2014

Never let anyone tell you can't be something you know you want to be. I have always been introverted and hate talking to strangers but can't imagine doing anything other than nursing.

My very first clinical instructor told me she didn't think I would make it as a nurse and asked me if I really wanted to become one. She then saw me a couple weeks before I graduated nursing school and exclaimed "I'm so happy...! I didn't think you'd still be here...!". I have since been a nurse for 3 years and am about to start np school.

My whole point is if you want to help patients and their family members it doesn't matter what your personality is because you'll still be a nurse and you'll still get your job done.

SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN · Jan 8, 2014

The people who say that probably talk too much. Of course, they'll never see that. :sarcastic:

Welcome to life as an introvert. Yes, it may take longer for you to warm to people. Yes, will develop skills as you're exposed to more and more situations throughout your training and career. It can make things kinda awkward, especially when you're new and uncertain and more likely to tense up.

But here's the funny thing--many of your patients are going to be introverts, too, and I've noticed that most patients enjoy a nurse who really knows how to listen. Listening to the patient and keeping the pace slow enough to get a good grip on what the patient is saying is often a distinct strength of the introverted nurse.

Focus on developing your skills. Your bedside manner will come with it. I become more talkative when I'm with patients, but I have learned to use those social skills only when appropriate.

There are hidden advantages to being quiet. You'll probably notice things that other people miss because you're not busy filling the space with useless prattle. As the old saying goes, you've go two ears and one mouth, so you should listen twice as much as you talk. In a culture where the nonsense noise is constant, that's a strange concept.

generalRN2008 · Jan 8, 2014

I don't talk much and do not socialize much but do just fine as a nurse. I am there to work and care for patients not make friends. Just be pleasant and be able to hold conversations in general.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jan 9, 2014

I was told by an HR manager after two different interviews(cna position), that I do not talk enough.(Although it is an interview, I am nervous) But to me, I talk enough in interviews.
I know nursing requires a lot of people interaction, but I am starting to think if I am not capable of being a nurse. I am shy and it takes awhile for me to open up to people. Thats actually a reason I chose nursing, to help me get over this anxiety.
I am trying to land a cna job before I start nursing school.
I applied to ICU and observational unit. Both same complaints.
Anyone find a job while being a bit shy during interviews? Or is this career not for me?

The HR managers who told you that you don't talk enough were doing you the courtesy of telling you why you're not getting the job and what you can do to improve your interviewing skills so that you may get hired in the future. Listen to their advice and take it to heart. YOU may think you talk enough, but obviously, they do not. In a job interview, it's their opinion that counts. So you need to work on being able to talk more in interviews, despite your nervousness. It appears as if you problem goes deeper than being "a bit shy" during interviews, but the HR managers have given you a good idea of what you need to work on.

There are many reasons to choose a career in nursing, but getting over anxiety is probably not one of the best ones I've heard.

That said, there is a place in nursing for introverts, so long as you understand that being shy or introverted isn't going to excuse you from talking to your patients. You're going to have to walk into a room, establish a rapport and get some information from your patients and you may only have one or two minutes to do so. It doesn't matter that you're uncomfortable; the patient comes first. Others have noted the advantages of being introverted, and I'm not going to repeat them here.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 9, 2014

My personality has held me back at times, too.

I'm a somewhat quiet, reserved introvert with a restricted affect and a personality that can be as dry as toast. I'm one of those people who spends more time thinking than talking.

Also, polishing my interpersonal skills is a feat I'm still accomplishing because I didn't naturally pick up on social skills during my upbringing. Instead, I am one of those socially awkward people who needed to be taught them directly.

However, I play the game. During interviews I put on a facade and pretend to be the type of nurse that the interviewer would like to hire. I ask my patients about how their days progressed. I pretend to show an interest in my coworkers and their personal lives. And, so far, it appears to be working.

Good luck to you!