Personality Type and Nursing

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If you don't want to read it all that's fine. Just take this test and post your four letters (the preference % isn't necessary but you can if you want) or just post your type if you already know it: http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp

You can read about your type here afterward. It's actually very fascinating stuff: http://www.typelogic.com/

I was just thinking about how much I'm struggling with nursing whereas before I've succeeded in every academic endeavor in which I invest my time and efforts. I operate from a very internal locus of control, so I'm not blaming my hardship on my personality type... but Nursing is inherently very structured... systematic... "real-world"...

So, while I made 99s in highschool, persisitent As and Bs in one of the most academically challenging private schools in this part of the US (with As and Bs often being 95+ and 85+)... I find myself at a loss... Making a D on my first nursing test (I was in the bottom three) and barely making a B on my second (pretty much average).

Anyway, I don't tell you that just to brag or something but to show the contrast between then and now. While I'm not considering changing my major (far too late for that) I have wondered to myself how much personality plays into it.

MBTI has two types dealing with how one organizes one's thoughts and approaches the world. The "s-type" or "sensing type." Sensors are very focused on the real world. They are naturally structured. The "n-type" or "intuitive type" are the creative individuals who might have a room that looks like a hurricane hit it, but can paint a mural like you've never seen.

I'm the creative type... I've done professional graphic design work.. I draw... I write music.. I write poetry... sing... I spend hours on nature photography... But my organizational skills can be crap, my room is notoriously messy, and my ability to memorize these endless assessment procedures is pretty low. I've found that almost all of my peers are s-types through talking with them and just figuring out how they operate.

It dawned on me that a large part of my particular level of difficulty with nursing is probably the very way my brain is wired!

So... what are you... S-type or N-type?

My type is actually very rare. I'm an INTJ.

You can read about it here: http://www.typelogic.com/intj.html

I wonder if N-type nurses are as rare as male nurses. I'm a murse by the way :p.

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here are my results

your type is

[color=#d000a0]esfp[color=#d000a0]extroverted[color=#d000a0]sensing[color=#d000a0]feeling[color=#d000a0]perceivingstrength of the preferences % [color=#d000a0]56[color=#d000a0]1[color=#d000a0]62[color=#d000a0]33

esfp type description by d.keirsey

esfp type description by j. butt

qualitative analysis of your type formula

you are:

  • moderately expressed extrovert
  • slightly expressed sensing personality
  • distinctively expressed feeling personality
  • moderately expressed perceiving personality

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your type is

[color=#d000a0]infj[color=#d000a0]introverted[color=#d000a0]intuitive[color=#d000a0]feeling[color=#d000a0]judgingstrength of the preferences % [color=#d000a0]56[color=#d000a0]38[color=#d000a0]12[color=#d000a0]56

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Specializes in CT ,ICU,CCU,Tele,ED,Hospice.

i am an isfj.

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WEll, I scored INFJ

I would think the test problem might be due to the differences between nursing tests and other types. First, nursing tests are not usually rote (ie memorization) but more pointed towards testing descision making capabilities. Many times more than one answer is correct you have to pick the MOST correct answer.

Second, they have alot of what I call "trivial pursuit" type questions. They are small trivial details that you might not normally look for, nursing teachers love these. They are also the information that tells you how to practically do your job. The point is being able to take a set of theoretical information and convert it into real world action.

I don't think personality type has anything to do with the book end of nursing but in the actual day-to-day work. I think the F is probably the aspect you will see most sharing. Not to worry, personalities change and develop over time. I for one was hardcore INTJ but seemeed to have traded my T for an F as I have aged.

Just hang in there and don't sweat the first test, it just takes time to understand how a teacher tests and what information they want. Heck, after a while I could predict answers to tests based on the teachers patterns on the scan-tron, which totally freaked them out! Had to change all their tests, hahha

just keep your head up and plow right through. Nursing school is an endurance test more than anything..

Good luck..

-CS

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Specializes in ICU.

i get it everytime i test...infj. any infj nurses in the icu? what type and are you enjoying it?

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WEll, I scored INFJ

I would think the test problem might be due to the differences between nursing tests and other types. First, nursing tests are not usually rote (ie memorization) but more pointed towards testing descision making capabilities. Many times more than one answer is correct you have to pick the MOST correct answer.

Second, they have alot of what I call "trivial pursuit" type questions. They are small trivial details that you might not normally look for, nursing teachers love these. They are also the information that tells you how to practically do your job. The point is being able to take a set of theoretical information and convert it into real world action.

I don't think personality type has anything to do with the book end of nursing but in the actual day-to-day work. I think the F is probably the aspect you will see most sharing. Not to worry, personalities change and develop over time. I for one was hardcore INTJ but seemeed to have traded my T for an F as I have aged.

Just hang in there and don't sweat the first test, it just takes time to understand how a teacher tests and what information they want. Heck, after a while I could predict answers to tests based on the teachers patterns on the scan-tron, which totally freaked them out! Had to change all their tests, hahha

just keep your head up and plow right through. Nursing school is an endurance test more than anything..

Good luck..

-CS

Thanks :)

While test results might vary, and certain aspects of your personality type change over time, your true personality type actually never changes.

INTJs have what is called an "inferior feeling preference". In short, "still waters run deep." You will often see MBTI articles talking about development of preferences. So, while my feeling preference has notabily developed over the past few years, I will always have a strong thinking preference and my feelings of compassion and empathy towards others will always be rather "learned."

If I remember correctly, NF types are the ones that intuitively know/sense how people feel in a way they even they can perhaps not explain. It is a natural intuition and ability to read and (if they are out of control) manipulate others. Social norms come very naturally to this type.

My type however, has to learn social norms and what messages they convey. My entire life has been a long journey of figuring out every little nuance of every physical action, from where I look, to the effect of my voice inflection, to my word choice. I've had people ask me if I was angry at them, and I'd suddenly notice that my tone of voice is improper for the situation and I'd adjust it and apologize... or have people misinterpret my intent only to realize my body language was conveying something contrary to my intent.

I could say a lot more... but in short, your personality NEVER changes. You might become more empathetic over time, but if you're an INTJ, you're always and INTJ. The differences between an INTJ and INFJ are HUGE.

I'm glad to see there are so many N-types :). Perhaps it has less to do with personality than I originally speculated.

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ESFJ here....65,25,38,11

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Specializes in ICU, Research, Corrections.

ENTJ

I work ICU

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Specializes in cardiac/education.

ISTJ. Always have been, always will be.

That said, my experience in nursing thus far and the death of my father recently have, in combination, made me much less judging and more empathetic to others. :wink2:

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Specializes in Accepted...Master's Entry Program, 2008!.

INFJ. 33, 25, 12, 44

I usually get INTJ. I have no idea what's up with this. Maybe these types of tests aren't exactly scientifically accurate.

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Specializes in Med Surg/Tele/ER.

your type is

[color=#d000a0]enfj[color=#d000a0]extroverted[color=#d000a0]intuitive[color=#d000a0]feeling[color=#d000a0]judging

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