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'm so relieved to have come across this post! I'm currently a CNA and starting the nursing program this fall. I'm a big introvert and get super anxious around people. I can only handle so much socializing as my anxiety gets high. I find the coworkers to be harder on me then patients considering where I work now it's very clickish and drama filled. Happy to know I'm not alone! I was worried I was biting off more than I could chew getting into nursing but I love the field. Those who work from home what do you? Since I'm not a fan of bedside, what other areas could I look into working?
I'm an introvert and a pretty obvious one, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy interacting with patients and staff. In general, being an introvert just means that you're most relaxed and comfortable when you're in your own company. If you feel that you're being pushed to put on a fake demeanor for patients and staff, could it not be that (introvert or extravert) you're just tired of being told to smile and use corporate scripting? If interacting with patients and staff puts you on edge, is there a possibility that being overloaded, rather than being of a particular personality type, is what's stressing you out?
I agree with others that there are different types of nursing that involve less patient interaction and troubleshooting. I also agree that night shift is great, because the teamwork is generally good; there are no bosses or administrators; and not very many visitors. But I also think that part of the problem can be poor management practices or insufficient staff. No nurse, however outgoing, is really comfortable being told to smile incessantly, and to use fake sounding scripting (saying "Things are active today, but we have adequate staff," for example, when what you really mean is, "We're three nurses down, I've got two critical patients down the hall, and you're complaining because the Kleenex isn't soft enough??").
Specializes in Medical-Surgical, Telemetry/ICU Stepdown.
Fellow introvert here, pleased to meet you.
According to psychologists, an introvert can be a wonderful people's person and many introverts became successful in careers that involve being with crowds. For example, many introverts became movie stars or stand-up comedians. They are wonderful on the stage but as soon as they step off and get privacy they revert back to their introverted self. The extroverted persona is just a stage act for them, but it doesn't represent who they really are.
The main difference between extroverts and introverts is that extroverts draw energy from other people.
Introverts on the other hand have to spend their own energy to interact with people. Maybe that explains why you feel so exhausted at the end of the day--it cost you a lot to be there treating those adults patients and families like babies (I wonder how they function at home when they don't have a 24hr nanny).
Being an introvert is not a negative trait!! You just have to be tougher and work harder than extroverts.
It's just the way nature made you! The best thing you can do is acknowledge it, stay true to yourself, and find ways to work around the challenge. However, never try to change your true self to please people.
They say even Robin Williams was an introvert and truly a tormented one, which may explain why he killed himself instead of seeking help. R.Williams was an extrovert only on stage, where he was just like we remember him--animated if not manic--but off the stage he was a quiet reserved man who rarely smiled...
Specializes in Corrections and Occupational Health.
I feel you! That is why the position I have in Occupational Health is great. I am the only nurse in the factory .......it can get boring but it is so much better for me. There are so many different things to do in nursing that do not involve direct care.
I'm an introvert. But at work, it's different. It's quite odd, actually. I'm more extroverted, feel okay talking with patients and their families and with fellow nurses. Maybe it's just the fact that I'm at work and have a responsibility. It's like I'm a different person. Needless to say, once I get home I am drained completely because of all the socializing I do and spending time being extroverted at work.
I, too, am an introvert, but I have to add that I also have a sensory processing problem. Not only do I not enjoy participating in crowds, but I have a really hard time in noisy, boisterous situations. I frequently seek solitude from the chatter at the nurses' station. Sometimes, if one of my patients is not conscious and has no family present I will chart in that patient's room. My closest group of friends know that the rowdy get- togethers they sometimes have can be very uncomfortable for me, and they have been very kind not to think less of me for not participating. I am sure there are people who don't understand why I am the way I am, and I'm sure some think I'm "stuck up" or unfriendly. i'm sorry if I come across that way. It isn't my intention.
As an introvert, I found that by compelling myself daily to step into the persona of a nurse at the beginning of my work day, enabled me to step outside of myself during my daily tasks of problem solving and nursing care. The was never a day that I did not leave work feeling that I did not gain insight into my self relating and serving others.
I'm an INFP on Myers Briggs. When I worked with kids as a RT, it was great. You don't always have to be bubbly for infants. I moved to a step down unit after graduating RN and biggest disaster ever. Lots of reasons but mainly because I didn't do the small talk thing. Now I work in rehab and it's awesome. I can talk about their progress but usually they are super tired and just want to rest. It's a match made in heaven.
Specializes in Cardiac step-down, PICC/Midline insertion.
I completely get what you mean. I could've written this post. In 7 years I went from being a shy, awkward nurse afraid of my own shadow to a confident relief house supervisor that can not only hold my own with a doctor, but hand their sh*t right back.
I still consider myself an introvert. It in no way implies weakness or flawed character. We just need space and we feel better just skipping the whole touchy feely business and conversation altogether sometimes. It doesn't mean we care any less or are not empathetic. Sometimes we care so much that it's the very reason we feel overwhelmed and need to be alone. I don't call attention to myself, and sometimes faking the whole being nice thing is a necessity to get through a shift. We are deep thinkers who take in our surroundings and sometimes interaction is just too stimulating. However, sometimes I crave some social interaction and feel a need to connect with others, but most the time I'm ok being in my own world.
There probably are some areas of nursing more suited to an introverted nurse, I guess it just depends on what bothers you more....patient interaction or co-workers. With me its co-workers, so I do best in settings where I mostly can work alone. Sometimes both get to me....that's where being relief house gives me a break.
Good luck to everyone in finding what works for them.
I'm introverted and about to start pre-nursing. I'm way more worried about coworker relations and hospital obligations than I am patient care. Thanks to a lifetime of society immersion therapy (aka being a Southern baptist female) I've learned the art of faking it til you make that I don't even think about it anymore. Grin, bear it, bring a cassarole and send a thank you card. 😂
as a new nurse, (6 months) i don't feel as qualified to give advice, but i go between being an introvert and and an extrovert. On my introvert days, i always have to pep-talk myself and remind myself that no matter what, communication is key. It's kind of becoming my mantra actually. Over time i'm settling into the role, but i'm happy to see all the responses, and know i'm not the only one.
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joanna73, BSN, RN
4,767 Posts
Yes. I can see why nursing would attract INTJ'S though because we are very logical rational, and organized.