Since being a nurse, have you

[loriannlpn]

Hey all,

Has anyone found them selves become "softer" or "hard" after being in this career for many years? I have found myself becoming a little more light hearted more and more. I feel for families and patients like I have never felt before.

When I completed my CNA, death and dying was just a fact of life. I felt the same as a LPN. Now that I am almost finished with my RN, I find myself having my heart strings pulled on. Is this a bad sign?

I conduct myself in a very professional mannor, and do not allow my personal feelings intrupt my task at hand. But, I find myself praying more and more for the patients and families.

Got any advise?

[TazziRN, RN]

I have changed in several different directions. I was raised as a goody-two-shoes in a bicultural home, taught to respect my elders and obey without question. My first year in the ER (also fresh out of school) I was so timid that if an angry drunk looked at me cross-eyed, I'd be in the corner in tears. That changed REAL quick!

I have become much more empathetic over the years, and at the same time, cynical. I'm harder to fool but if the problem is genuine I have the biggest shoulders in the world for someone to cry on.

As for your question, there is nothing wrong with caring for your pts and wanting to pray for them, as long as you do not let your feelings for them carry over into your personal life.

[Corvette Guy]

In years past I studied a martial art called Uechi-Ryu, which was a half-hard & half-soft style. IMHO, balance of same in the nursing profession serves well, too.

[shlru0404]

i too have become wiser as a aid. i have learned to read patients a little better and this offers a great deal of better services from the nurses perspective. i dont ever see compassion as a "bad thing", stay professional and prayers are blessings from angels! if you would want your behavior for your own family? TazziRn has a good point though. cant bring it to the dining room table at home!