Quiet nurse?

Nurses General Nursing

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lpnflorida

1,304 Posts

Specializes in psych. rehab nursing, float pool.

I also tend to be quiet by nature. It just is not me to talk just to hear myself talk. I find at work I have a so called work persona that I put on when speaking with patient's. I am friendly with them, ask questions and I am a great listener. This has always gone well with my patients and my co-workers for that matter. It was only difficult when starting a new job as my being quiet could be perceived as being standoffish which I am not. I am simply quiet. I say what I have to say, other than that I mostly listen. My private life is just that. If you know me well you might know about my private life.

If people ask my opinion about something I will give.

It is okay to be what you are, the various personalities of the many nurses all work well. It is more important to be yourself, phony can be spotted a mile away.

mama_d, BSN, RN

1,187 Posts

Specializes in tele, oncology.

One of our strongest nurses is the quiet type, although being around all of us loud mouths over the last several years has certainly started to draw her out. I cracked up last night when she pulled me to the side and said "That woman's daughter has my blood pressure so high I think I'm going to stroke!" A few years ago she never would have volunteered that.

It takes all personalities to balance out a unit. On my floor, most of the core nurses are outspoken, opinionated, and willing to respectfully debate with management over stupidities. A few of our core staff are much quieter by nature. The quiet ones help to balance out those of us who get a little high strung sometimes; and those of us who don't fear opening our mouths enough are very protective of the quiet ones and willing to risk getting in trouble going to bat for them.

So I guess the long and short of it is that quiet and friendly is fine and can be an asset. Us loud mouths need that calming presence sometimes!

marmsgirl

29 Posts

i am one of the big mouths that seems to be in trouble for talking too much and too loud. A very smart nursing instructor told us first day of nursing school .. be who you are because there is a place in nursing for all of us. It is so true. As said before there needs to be a balance.

Stay true to who you are and you will find your niche!

RNKPCE

1,170 Posts

I think quiet would be very calming in OB. It would be a mess of a world if everyone was " not quiet".

LauraLiz

52 Posts

Thanks guys!

You've made me feel better about some of my fears. I know that there will be some things "socially" that I will feel uncomfortable with at first, but I think I will get used to it!

I do see quietness as a strength as well because I know all the things it has allowed me to see and learn about people just by watching and listening to them. So I hope it continues to be a strength for me.

Specializes in Oncology, Triage, Tele, Med-Surg.

I went to nursing school with a very quiet person. She never appeared at all rude, just quiet. I always loved it when she had to speak for an assignment or to give her required opinion on something. She was brilliant and I loved listening to her when we'd get those brief opportunities.

We work in the same hospital now and I recently got floated to her floor and got to hear her with her co-workers and patients. She is still very quiet but she exudes confidence and grace in every way. She does not look at all uncomfortable in her new role. She wears it beautifully so I'm sure you can too.

Good luck.:redbeathe :nurse: :redbeathe

johnst10

122 Posts

Specializes in Pain mgmt, PCU.

Here's a thought: "Better to be quiet and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and prove it." M. Twain, I think?

I'm sort of an in between. Believe me. When I have a serious question I often find the quieter nurses are the ones who have observed and can explain things better to me. I appreciate our quiet nurses as much as the boisterous ones!

MzMouse

295 Posts

Specializes in LTC, office.

I am on the quieter side too; and after years of wishing otherwise I accept myself as is. We quieter nurses can still be confident, assertive, and excellent at communicating with patients, coworkers and physicians.

Quiet doesn't always mean shy and I think some people forget that. I am much more willing to assert myself and speak up then some of my more boisterous coworkers.

joannep

439 Posts

Specializes in Community, Renal, OR.

If you feel you can't open your mouth and say something, SMILE at people, it makes all the difference in the world. :wink2:

And when you are in nursing school write you feedback so your instructor will know how you feel.

Specializes in Med-Surg.

Being quiet can be one of your strengths. I have a quiet personality and nurses have told me that the quiet ones are more compassionate, laid-back, and easy listeners/comforters. I tend to be quiet because I am afraid of what others might say but I show my confidence and professionalism when it comes to the patients. In my work environment, I usually takes me a little bit to become comfortable in my surrounding and then it all just comes routine to me. You will make a great nurse! Don't let being quiet get you down. I have thought the same way before but after talking with my instructor and other nurses I felt better.

LauraLiz

52 Posts

You sound a lot like me cuteinpinkNS. I have to warm up to my surroundings a little but then I am fine.

I'm terrible at class presentations..standing in front of a whole class :S not fun. Is there a lot of that in nursing school? Or a regular amount? lol

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