I've been a nurse for 6 years and I'm pretty decent at it. I've achieved pretty quickly, got the good jobs, won awards, and even saved some lives. Sounds like I should like my job. What I've learned here lately is that the social obligations and demands of nursing WEAR ME DOWN. Being forced to be cordial with co-workers, nice to all your patients/families, basically having to talk when I don't feel like it at all. And I've found the MOST draining thing is to put on that fake act and smile like the cheshire cat for 98% of your shift just to please the masses. Don't misconstrue this, I care about people and I genuinely enjoy helping them; it just comes at a price I wish wasn't so high for myself.
I need some advice from my fellow introverted nurses....
Lastly, there's a quick poll question below if you don;t mind....thanks!
Your poll is likely to be heavily biased since the title of your post specifically draws in the introverted- what is your end game with that info? What does it facilitate?
Also, most professional settings are similar in that you will have professionals who enjoy socializing and those who don't, and that's ok.
It's ok to be the quiet one if that's something you enjoy, to recharge away from the center of activity.
If you are feeling excluded, then by all means inject yourself into conversation every once in awhile, 'add a verse' as Robin Williams would say.
I have found that exploring ways to decompress outside of work has done wonders for grounding me once I'm there. Find an activity that you think you might routinely enjoy that helps to also ground you and decompress your brain from social obligations. For introverts, this could be something like running, or hiking, or biking, or reading, or yoga at home, or going for a drive in the country, or listening to some awesome music..... The list goes on. These are all solitary activities that challenge you or get you into a different head space than you would otherwise have.
Find a hobby that scares you, and commit to it maybe? Then, work might seem somewhat like a respite.
Just a couple ideas.... Hope this helps, and good luck!
The poll would be heavily biased, but unless you are truly introverted, you won't understand where the OP is coming from. Many extroverts assume that introversion is a personality flaw.
In fact, both personalities process information and relate to their environment differently.
Just by virtue of the amount of social interaction required in most settings, work is not a respite. Even for the introverted types that enjoy social interaction, solitude is the ultimate respite.
The poll would be heavily biased, but unless you are truly introverted, you won't understand where the OP is coming from. Many extroverts assume that introversion is a personality flaw.
In fact, both personalities process information and relate to their environment differently.
Just by virtue of the amount of social interaction required in most settings, work is not a respite. Even for the introverted types that enjoy social interaction, solitude is the ultimate respite.
You are generalizing.... Can you honestly speak for all introverts? I made a suggestion, with suggestive language, not hard and fast language.
Let's not get lost in semantics. I am heavily introverted. However, when I regularly explore things that intimidate me outside of work, taking a day off from that activity to resume a work day has sometimes been a true blessing. It may or may not work for others, so I made the suggestion.
The "ultimate respite" for anyone is relative, introverted or not.
I simply responded to your post, and I am not speaking on behalf of all introverts, but I do know a lot about the personality type. I am an introvert and I have read extensively on the topic.
While I agree with certain aspects of your post, I stand by exactly what I've written.
I'm really introverted, but I do exactly as you do and put on the act. My advice is, if you want to continue to be a nurse, step away from the bedside and do other stuff. Surgical nurse would be good. You interact with a team and the patient ineraction is minimal. Or step away from the traditional hospital nursing roll. I know insurance companies use nurses for paperwork stuff. Not exactly sure of the details on that one.
Or, consider this. Stop being a nurse and do something else that would fulfil you as a person. I've often thought about training diabetic alert dogs as a hobby. I could do this full time if I really didn't like my career. But I'm not really to that point yet and haven't had the time to do more than just ponder the idea.
My personal solution is to become a CRNA. That's about the most introvert friendly nursing job I can think of, lol.
I'll enjoy reading the comments. I have not worked as a nurse but I have worked in other health care jobs and my biggest issue was learning how not to wear my emotions on my face. I make faces. If I don't like somebody, they'll know it because I unconsciously will make a certain face. I had to learn to be fake and smile at work even when I hated my job in that moment. Introverts don't fake anything, it all has to be learned and practiced.
I didn't mind my time with my patients. One on one, I'm fine and I have a way of connecting with people that most find helps them to open up and relax. I have social anxiety and can't stand to be around large masses of people. As long as I'm one on one, even if I'm busy, I will be fine but if I'm trudging through a bunch of people and noises to do my job, I'll get anxious. Will take some trial and error on my part to find a job that works for me.
This may sound terrible, but I switched to nights to get away from the sheer chaos of days. I also transferred to the ICU. I knew it was time to try something else when I felt like I had to put on a show for patients, families and even the managers. After 13 years of being mentally and physically exhausted at the end of the day, I tried something new. Yes, there are family members and physicians around at night, but not in the same capacity as day shift.
Wow, lots of response. Thanks to all for participating and doing my biased poll, it's just nice to know there's introverts out there silently suffering too!!
Introvert here. I tend to appreciate night shift and I work through a staffing agency. Don't have as many people around. The residents are great and when someone needs to talk at night, I am able to talk with them in the calming quiet way they need at the time. Working per diem, I don't get involved in the facility politics and don't have to be best friends with anyone.
I have several good friends and don't need anymore. I like my alone quiet time. Sometimes I travel by myself just to be away from everything and everyone unless I want to be.
I'm also an introvert to the point that I enjoy traveling by myself and I do it on purpose.
It can be hard because we're forced to be an extrovert at work. I find a quiet corner and chart. I'm a float nurse so I use that as an excuse to not really socialize with staff because I don't know anyone. I also don't discuss my personal life with patients. Like if someone asks if I have kids I don't answer and turn around and ask them the same question. People usually like talking about themselves so I'm good at redirecting conversations so they can talk.
My favorite part of the day is the drive home because I'm alone with my thoughts. Sometimes I don't even turn on the radio.
My off days I try to do things by myself. I'm in school full-time so I'm absorbed in my studies. I also go out the restaurants alone and I don't care if people stare. Movies alone and heck I even went to an amusement park alone and had a great time.
So my advice would be to find as much alone time as you can to recharge. And I agree check out the Myers-Briggs personality test. I'm an INTJ and lol nursing is NOT recommended for my personality type. And coincidently I'm in school for a field other than nursing.
Hey, I am also an INTJ! Boarderline on the N though.
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
I've been a nurse for 6 years and I'm pretty decent at it. I've achieved pretty quickly, got the good jobs, won awards, and even saved some lives. Sounds like I should like my job. What I've learned here lately is that the social obligations and demands of nursing WEAR ME DOWN. Being forced to be cordial with co-workers, nice to all your patients/families, basically having to talk when I don't feel like it at all. And I've found the MOST draining thing is to put on that fake act and smile like the cheshire cat for 98% of your shift just to please the masses. Don't misconstrue this, I care about people and I genuinely enjoy helping them; it just comes at a price I wish wasn't so high for myself.
I need some advice from my fellow introverted nurses....
Lastly, there's a quick poll question below if you don;t mind....thanks!
I never worked in the hospital & honestly don't feel like I missed out on anything. That's why I loved working in corrections. I didn't have patients to please because hospital scores rely on it. All that matters is that I do my job. I couldn't imagine haven't to be a maid, waitress & everything else on top of my job.
TheBlackDogWaits
208 Posts
A couple things to consider...
Your poll is likely to be heavily biased since the title of your post specifically draws in the introverted- what is your end game with that info? What does it facilitate?
Also, most professional settings are similar in that you will have professionals who enjoy socializing and those who don't, and that's ok.
It's ok to be the quiet one if that's something you enjoy, to recharge away from the center of activity.
If you are feeling excluded, then by all means inject yourself into conversation every once in awhile, 'add a verse' as Robin Williams would say.
I have found that exploring ways to decompress outside of work has done wonders for grounding me once I'm there. Find an activity that you think you might routinely enjoy that helps to also ground you and decompress your brain from social obligations. For introverts, this could be something like running, or hiking, or biking, or reading, or yoga at home, or going for a drive in the country, or listening to some awesome music..... The list goes on. These are all solitary activities that challenge you or get you into a different head space than you would otherwise have.
Find a hobby that scares you, and commit to it maybe? Then, work might seem somewhat like a respite.
Just a couple ideas.... Hope this helps, and good luck!