What is with all the crying?

[Rick68fl]

I keep reading these posts:

"Chemestry made me cry today."

"I don't like my preceptor so I came home after clinical and cried all night."

"The CNA on my floor was mean to me so I came home and cried."

"I'm not doing well on the Kaplan practice and I can't stop crying."

Etc.

Etc.

Ok, I understand nursing school is stressful. Heck, I just graduated 2 months ago, so trust me - I understand.

Still, WTH is going on with all the crying every time something goes wrong? Prior to nursing school, did you all start bawling every time things didn't go your way? Are you all still 8 years old?

Seriously, if these little BS issues put you into hysterics, what do you think is going to happen to you when you are faced with an actual crisis on the floor? I mean a true life-or-death situation. Are you going to throw your hands up and turn into a blubbering mess or are you going to focus on your training and skills and solve the problem?

Jeez, grow up! Focus on the important things in life and just shrug off all of the other crap.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

​all very good points and something i've wondered about myself. but then, i'm a mean old nurse, so i haven't commented.

[on eagles wings, ASN, RN]

you're so mean........ :'(

:)

[loveoutloud]

PMS.. Nursing school is female dominated and it's all the estrogen in the air

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

Your screen name is Rick. Does that mean your a male? If so, I don't really expect you to understand the crying. I just hope that you don't respond this way to your girlfriend when she's crying.

Everyone copes differently. For some women, crying is a way to release emotion. When we're happy, we cry. When we're sad, we cry. When we're exhausted, stressed, frustrated, angry, embarrassed, or sentimental, we cry. It's a healthy coping mechanism. It doesn't mean we're going to go to pieces in front of our patients or can't handle nursing. Notice that post didn't say "The CNA was mean to me so I cried right then and there." or "I don't like my preceptor so I started crying in the middle of the unit." No, we cry when we are home, or in a safe environment.

You're going to work with a lot of females in this profession, and you're going to have a lot of female patients. They might cry sometimes (gasp!). Better get used to it and start giving your female peers a little respect.

[OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN]

Okay first all of this is quite the generalized post. You're talking about students in basic chem class to students working in clinicals to students in preceptorship as well as the fact that you're basing this on a world-wide website so I really would not use a web-site as this as a basis for how all nursing students are doing. Also as a nursing student, many are not going to take the time to post on here unless they're really struggling or having a hard time and are trying to reach out for help. And if they do wanna cry when they're home then let 'em cry and SHUT UP. I could care less how people cope in private and I'ld rather them feel better by crying then turning to something worse.

[on eagles wings, ASN, RN]

i cry sometimes... i do think its healthy. it's healthier than drinking and plummeting into a dark abyss, i guess.

but i gotta admit the OP was pretty funny, lol

[Rick68fl]

it's healthier than drinking and plummeting into a dark abyss, i guess.

See that's the difference. I drink and plummet into the drunken abyss...

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

Hi Rick~

A little FYI about the waterworks: to a great many women, crying is what cussing and punching things are to a guy---a proven stress-reliever. Doesn't mean we do it in front of patients and co-workers, LOL :). But since you're posting in a female-dominated forum, please understand that this is supposed to be a place where it's safe to vent, so we can all go back out there and do our jobs without blowing a gasket.

Me, I'm past the high-estrogen phase of life and am more apt to slug the refrigerator than burst into tears. I once did that and nearly broke every bone in my hand, which swelled up something fierce. When I went to the doctor, I told him I fell on it. He just looked at me, showed me how to make a proper fist, and said, "Well, the next time you, uh, fall on your hand like that, you'll want to do it this way.":rotfl:

[JROregon, ASN, BSN, RN]

Rick68,

I am female and I don't get all the crying either. Although when we have lectures on babies and kids with serious problems, I get a little sad. We don't all fit the stereotype.

[DixieRedHead, ASN, RN]

Same here JROregon, female and just don't get the crying. I am not into nonproductive activity. To me, and that's just me I know, if I cry I show weakness. Weakness is not my best thing. To others I know it shows compassion, empathy, whatever, but still just don't get it.

I have been told that a tear from my eye would cure cancer on a baby elephant.

[on eagles wings, ASN, RN]

I have been told that a tear from my eye would cure cancer on a baby elephant.

:yeah:hah!!!