if you are a sensitive or highly sensitive person.....

JulieCVICURN, BSN, RN · Jun 20, 2011

Honestly, probably none. At least none that I can think of. But you could try to toughen up a bit. That's not impossible.

You could try nursery, but if you got a baby that died or was unstable, that wouldn't be easy. You could try surgery because the patients don't interact with you much, but surgeons can be arrogant bastards. You could try clinics, but depending on your clientele and your doctor, that can take a thick skin as well.

Maybe aesthetics, now that I think about it. People who come in for Restalyne, Botox, and laser peels are usually pretty upbeat.

Tait, MSN, RN · Jun 20, 2011

There are many HSP's in the nursing community. Everywhere. Check out this recent thread for more discussion. :)

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/do-you-consider-496333.html

Tait, MSN, RN · Jun 20, 2011

Honestly, probably none. At least none that I can think of. But you could try to toughen up a bit. That's not impossible.
You could try nursery, but if you got a baby that died or was unstable, that wouldn't be easy. You could try surgery because the patients don't interact with you much, but surgeons can be arrogant bastards. You could try clinics, but depending on your clientele and your doctor, that can take a thick skin as well.
Maybe aesthetics, now that I think about it. People who come in for Restalyne, Botox, and laser peels are usually pretty upbeat.

HSP's aren't about being weak or unable to cope, it is about sensing your environment differently. Check out http://www.hsperson.com/ for more details.

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · Jun 20, 2011

I am very sensitive. I didn't let it dictate my job choice, and I've toughened up loads since being a nurse.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Jun 20, 2011

I would have to disagree about being in the OR if you are sensitive. I have a pretty thick skin when it comes to myself. But I do tend to stick up for others more and get more sensitive when they are treated poorly, the OR was one of the harshest most negative environments I had been in at a few different hospitals.

It's an overall weird vibe to explain and I am sure it's not like this everywhere so I am sorry to any OR people I might offend. This was just my personal experience. I listened to patients get made fun of, their bodies be made fun of, just rude negative behavior and so for me it would not be a good fit at all.

Tait, MSN, RN · Jun 20, 2011

I would have to disagree about being in the OR if you are sensitive. I have a pretty thick skin when it comes to myself. But I do tend to stick up for others more and get more sensitive when they are treated poorly, the OR was one of the harshest most negative environments I had been in at a few different hospitals.
It's an overall weird vibe to explain and I am sure it's not like this everywhere so I am sorry to any OR people I might offend. This was just my personal experience. I listened to patients get made fun of their bodies be made fun of, just rude negative behavior and so for me it would not be a good fit at all.

After your description I can see how I would be less than happy to be in the OR.

tokmom, BSN, RN · Jun 20, 2011

Honestly, probably none. At least none that I can think of. But you could try to toughen up a bit. That's not impossible.
You could try nursery, but if you got a baby that died or was unstable, that wouldn't be easy. You could try surgery because the patients don't interact with you much, but surgeons can be arrogant bastards. You could try clinics, but depending on your clientele and your doctor, that can take a thick skin as well.
Maybe aesthetics, now that I think about it. People who come in for Restalyne, Botox, and laser peels are usually pretty upbeat.

I would be upbeat too if I had money to blow, just so I could look younger! :lol2:

ErinS, BSN, RN · Jun 20, 2011

I would have to disagree about being in the OR if you are sensitive. I have a pretty thick skin when it comes to myself. But I do tend to stick up for others more and get more sensitive when they are treated poorly, the OR was one of the harshest most negative environments I had been in at a few different hospitals.
It's an overall weird vibe to explain and I am sure it's not like this everywhere so I am sorry to any OR people I might offend. This was just my personal experience. I listened to patients get made fun of, their bodies be made fun of, just rude negative behavior and so for me it would not be a good fit at all.

I agree- my only OR experience was in nursing school clinicals, but it was honestly fairly traumatizing to see a pt become nothing more than a slab of meat, treated with little or no respect. It is probably not like this everywhere, and some places were better than others, but I would be prepared for that possibility.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Jun 20, 2011

I agree- my only OR experience was in nursing school clinicals, but it was honestly fairly traumatizing to see a pt become nothing more than a slab of meat, treated with little or no respect. It is probably not like this everywhere, and some places were better than others, but I would be prepared for that possibility.

Yea my friend was a surg tech and I couldn't believe some of the stuff he would tell me or other nurses I talked to that got out of it for the same reason. It's not a field for everyone I think and you have to have a tough personality.

Cat_RN, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 20, 2011

Just do it. Nursing will harden you and give you coping skills to deal with oversensitivity and adversity. Can't go around in life hiding under a shelled armor. You'll adapt quicker than you'd think possible.

butterfly134 · Jun 20, 2011

I know I can be sensitive but its not always a bad thing because I'm sensitve towards other peoples feelings too-both staff and the patient. I think its normal to feel upset if you see something that is just plain wrong or if a pt passes away. Don't try to lose all that sensitivity, just maybe find different ways of coping with upsetting situations. I know its easier said than done tho. Im only a student but I know when I've had a tough day I go home, make a cup of tea and just try to move on.....sometimes I have a bit of a cry first lol but then I try to think of all the great things I love about clinicals(then I always realise its worth it :) ) and all the student nursing friends I have for support!!