Realist vs Optimist

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

We have peer reviews for our evals along with manager. The peer comments are anonymous. I received my eval the other day and there is a comment that puzzles me. It sort of echo's some of the comments that I see here about nurses being direct in their advice.

The comment said I was a realist more than an optimist. What is your interpretation of this?

This is my work personality as follows: If the floor is following apart, I acknowledge that today will be a hairy one, but I'm there to help and we can get through the day.

If my day is falling apart (Charge, being overwhlemed with admits/discharges, fires)I let people know I can't run down the hall every 5 minutes to co-sign for them. They need to find another nurse.

If a piece of equipment fails to work, I will call it a piece of crap:lol2: (under my breath and never in a room), but go get another pump, pca, etc..for the nurse and call it good.

I try to be optimistic at work, but there are some days it just isn't possible to be Pollyanna.

I'm not insulted, just wonder what that comment really meant and I can't ask them of course.

[GM2RN]

I don't think either word is a bad descriptor. I find nothing wrong with the examples you provided. It's really impossible to know what to think about that comment without know the context which caused that peer to write it.

[oklahoma~dreamin]

I understand because I consider myself a realist as well.

I will never understand why people are so concerned over such trivial things. Why do we need all these "labels"?

It might bother me a little, but I guess if that was the worst comment I got, I'd be happy! :)

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

nothing wrong with being a realist!

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Tokmom, it just means you are a straight shooter. I try to be that way too. No need to make things what they are not. If there is a problem the only way you can begin to get out of it is by looking it straight in the eye. I try to do that (when I remember to). Really if you were a card carrying "optimist" when your floor is falling apart, you'd just be saying, "Maybe things will get better if we just think good thoughts" instead of "Things will get better if we tackle the problem, sooner than later" I'd rather have you around than the optimist.

[DarkBluePhoenix]

nothing wrong with being a realist!

I totally agree.

I'm realist and I turned out fine!

Lol

[Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN]

Another realist here! But, personally, I don't find either term derogatory.

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

Tokmom, it just means you are a straight shooter. I try to be that way too. No need to make things what they are not. If there is a problem the only way you can begin to get out of it is by looking it straight in the eye. I try to do that (when I remember to). Really if you were a card carrying "optimist" when your floor is falling apart, you'd just be saying, "Maybe things will get better if we just think good thoughts" instead of "Things will get better if we tackle the problem, sooner than later" I'd rather have you around than the optimist.

Ehhh, I don't know if that's how an optimist would approach things. I consider myself a little more on the optimistic side of things in that I tend to focus on what is going WELL and appreciate that. I don't expect things to magically improve, but hey, if things are getting hairy on the unit, at least I'm working with a good crew that will get 'er done and maybe go out for drinks afterwards to shake it off.

I also thought I could handle working in an ED as a new grad, went in to the NCLEX nervous but assuming I'd be part of the 85% that pass on the first try, and stayed fairly happy and relaxed during an accelerated nursing program that has a reputation for being psychotic-break-inducing. And when coworkers complain about the scheduling, I reflect on the fact that a. I'm lucky to have a job that I like, b. I didn't expect to have a great schedule as a new grad, and c. scheduling always seems to be something people are dissatisfied about.

To the OP, there's a good chance that your peer evaluators are just trying to fill up space with inane management-speak, or are trying to find a management friendly way of saying that you call BS when you see it?

[montecarlo64, ASN, BSN, LPN]

Being a realist is a good quality! No need to sugar coat something or expect s**t to turn into roses!! It is what it is & I think that us realists do a good job of working with what we have to work with, giving our best effort during what ever situation come up, and then move on and forget about it! Keep up your good work!

[Sehille4774]

I am a realist because I think you have to be able to view any situation in an honest realistic light, in order to make good decisions and improve those situations that are $hi@ty! Lol. (especially in nursing)

Its hard to explain this to someone who 'believes' that point of view is either Positive or Negative.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

What about realistically optimistic?? :)

[NoviceRN10]

Maybe I'm just tired, but I don't really get the connection between being a realist or an optimist ? They are two seperate things that don't really mean the opposite of each other, in my opinion. I don't think the comment was derogatory, though.