shy girl

suzy253, RN · Oct 20, 2006

That's kind of hard to say because nursing involves communication: with the patient, with doctors, physical therapists, RT, other nurses, giving reports, talking to families, etc.

Alexsys · Oct 20, 2006

Yeah, that may be something you have to try to get over because as a nurse, you will talking to a lot of people

tremblelina · Oct 20, 2006

Hey there shy girl,

I am not yet a nurse so I cannot speak from that experience specifically, but I was still compelled to respond to you. As others have said, this is something that you will need to overcome so that you can be an effective nurse, no way around it, but that's ok.

I used to be a really shy girl myself, and you don't have to make yourself become an extremely extroverted person if that's just not who you are, but in time you will become more comfortable in situations where you are the leader or the instigator of conversations/information exchange.

Think of it as something small that needs to be overcome for you to be the best you can be, so that when you are choosing a particular area or specialty to persue, you choose it based on the best fit for you, not where you feel you wont be looked to for communication as much. Otherwise you are selling yourself short, and you deserve better.

I would suggest working on conditioning yourself now, while you're still in school. Get used to talking to your classmates, family, etc about clinical topics. Practice on whoever you have available and pretend they are a patient, or a doctor, etc so you get used to the idea of being in that situation. Might sound silly, but it's the same principle behind roleplaying out an interview before going - it makes you feel more mentally prepared and tends to help you be more relaxed once you are actually in that situation because you have reheorificed it.

I'm sorry this is so long winded - but it's coming from someone who used to try to avoid situation where I might be put on the spot. It boils down to us holding ourselves back for no good reason. Once you start being the initiator in conversations you might have avoided in the past, you will gain confidence quickly, and soon it will be no big thing, because you will figure out that everyone else has insecurities and is worried about how they come across as well. Of course I could be way off base here in my response, so if I am - my apologies.

One last word, there's nothing wrong with being shy or more reserved, but I think all you need is a little confidence boosting - it just comes from putting yourself in those situations and realizing it's not such a big deal afterall. =)

iluvmynavyman · Oct 20, 2006

thank you guys so much i was actually considering changing my major to something less people friendly like accounting even though i hate it

i really want to be a nurse but when im under pressure my voice box goes mute

major: nursing

minor: american signlanguage

for fun : arabic

nursing goal: infection control ( aids ) maybe do the peace corps for a year or two after i graduate

rjflyn, ASN, RN · Oct 20, 2006

Sleep disorders? Seriously, working in a sleep lab most the talking is at the start of the study and probably at the end. The mean time your patient sleeps or at least if I were the patient I wouldn't want you talking.

Rj

Mistysmoke · Oct 20, 2006

I am so glad to see this topic. I haven't even started school for my pre reqs, but, being shy is a major issue for me. I am trying to be more proactive in talking to people, and starting conversations. I started with phone calls, when I would call a company or whatever I start off by asking how the person is. I make small talk at the checkout stand, little things go to bigger things. :)

oneLoneNurse · Oct 20, 2006

I thnk like the sight of blood, vomit, etc., etc., nursing will help you with your shyness.

Good luck.

All_Smiles_RN · Oct 20, 2006

I consider myself shy in group settings. But one on one with a pt I do fine. I think as you start your clinicals, you'll come out of your shell more. At least I did. Good luck. :)

Schatzi RN CEN · Oct 21, 2006

There are other ways to communicate also, often a simple touch or a quiet moment shared with a patient works better than a thousand words.

JenNJFLCA · Oct 21, 2006

I am shy, but am getting better about opening up with my patients. With me it's a confidence issue. I need to feel comfortable in my environment in order to open up. I have my good and bad days, but more good days lately. :) Just keep practicing! I have to force myself to be more outgoing, but amazingly if I tell myself to have confidence and pretend I am outgoing, I will be when I walk into that room.

BlueEyedRN · Oct 21, 2006

Being a nurse is actually one of the best ways to get over being shy. My mom always talks about how she was painfully painfully shy until she became a nurse and it really helped her because it is so people-intensive. It definitely took her out of her comfort zone and was hard, but she grew very quickly. I think it has something to do with the nature of nursing: you see someone in need and so you are able to push yourself in order to help them. If you are more comfortable with children, you can do pediatrics or nursery. Or you could try ICU where half your patients are in a coma. But really, it isn't that nurses aren't shy, its just that this is a profession where they can overcome that. Good luck. Don't do something that you hate and be miserable. You deserve better.