I am currently a nursing student and my goal is to specialize in Emergency nursing. I like the idea of "something new or different" everyday. I get bored very easily.
There is only one thing discouraging me, and a little bit in nursing general. I don't know if I am tough enough. I know I am tough when it comes to dealing with doctors attitudes, or other nurses, any of that stuff. What I mean by this is if I see a child in pain or dying, or if I see someone lose a family member I WILL CRY.
Is this something that will go away or get better with time? I wear my emotions on my sleeve and I am not sure how this will affect me doing a good job as a nurse. Anyone else have this issue, or know any other nurse that have this problem?
Crying is OK! Especially with grief for a child and the family. I always remind myself that I need to be the one who is strong for the patient and the family. It's hard to start an IV with tears in your eyes. As with almost anything else (and I'm not making light of this at all) you get used to it. It gets easier. Death is part of life, even for 2 year olds, unfortunately. Sometimes I actually feel worse when we code a patient that we all know won't make it and probably wouldn't want it.
I am currently a nursing student and my goal is to specialize in Emergency nursing. I like the idea of "something new or different" everyday. I get bored very easily.
There is only one thing discouraging me, and a little bit in nursing general. I don't know if I am tough enough. I know I am tough when it comes to dealing with doctors attitudes, or other nurses, any of that stuff. What I mean by this is if I see a child in pain or dying, or if I see someone lose a family member I WILL CRY.
Is this something that will go away or get better with time? I wear my emotions on my sleeve and I am not sure how this will affect me doing a good job as a nurse. Anyone else have this issue, or know any other nurse that have this problem?
I think having compassion isn't something you want to stifle or supress, particularly in challenging moments. You have to learn to cope with tragic events without making it about you. It's about that person, that family, their friends - we are there to perform a job. When it's personalized, then it detracts from your ability to perform. That's how I look at it. You can think about it later on your drive home. You have to keep those urges to cry from bubbling to the surface sometimes. Or try biting your cheek. =)
LilgirlRN, ADN, RN
769 Posts
Crying is OK! Especially with grief for a child and the family. I always remind myself that I need to be the one who is strong for the patient and the family. It's hard to start an IV with tears in your eyes. As with almost anything else (and I'm not making light of this at all) you get used to it. It gets easier. Death is part of life, even for 2 year olds, unfortunately. Sometimes I actually feel worse when we code a patient that we all know won't make it and probably wouldn't want it.