What are some psychological effects of being a nurse?

[smiles9960]

Hi, I have been a nurse for 1 1/2 years. I am currently working on my bachelor degree. I am working on an issues project in my political policy class. One question asked is 'what are some psychological effects of being a nurse?' I have researched this question, but there is not much listed. So I figured I would ask those individuals who know first hand. All comments welcome!! Thanks!!

[againmlg]

Lots of trust, empathy, and being in tune with how others were feeling was always my forte. After my very first RN job in a nursing home I realized I was going to have to become tough, somewhat hardened and less empathetic. The year that I worked there (before burning out) I was doing my job plus a lot of the CNA's work. In addition a lot of the the smarter manipulative pts would play me. Now I try to show caring and empathy but I know there are times I have to be tough.

[oramar]

Scroll up and read, "I can't take nursing anymore". Or any of the 1000 post just like it.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

always thinking you'll be second guessed....feeling like you are doing the best you can but always being judged in a negative light....making your patient look and feel better than the previous shift but getting no praise for it.....getting the most difficult patient to cooperate but getting no praise from your co-workers.....watching your back even though you know you have love and compassion for the patient....going home and wondering what you could have done better....having a negative patient outcome and wondering how many hold you responsible for it....sometimes it just hurts

Yep, that's about it.........very nicely summed up. But we keep getting up and doing it all over again, day after day, year after year, because most of the alternatives are worse. I mean, who REALLY wants to go to work at Wal-Mart or McDonald's only to be treated just as badly or worse, and for far less money??

Besides---and every one of you who has embraced this profession and made it your own, as I have, knows this to be the truth---nursing becomes so much a part of who we are, and so deeply affects our view of life, that even if we can see ourselves doing something else, the image is often fuzzy. We can't help wondering what people think or talk about when human tragedies, body fluids, birth, and death are NOT everyday occurrences in their lives. When you've spent a big portion of your life cleaning up poo, having gangrenous toes fall off in your hand, and standing by the bedside as a soul finally flees its pain-wracked prison.........well, I just don't know how making computer chips or selling widgets can be enough to satisfy the soul. Not once you've had the privilege of being a nurse.

But, that's just me.

[LilyBlue]

Nursing has definitely lowered my self-esteem. There's no doubt about that.

[LilyBlue]

Yep, that's about it.........very nicely summed up. But we keep getting up and doing it all over again, day after day, year after year, because most of the alternatives are worse. I mean, who REALLY wants to go to work at Wal-Mart or McDonald's only to be treated just as badly or worse, and for far less money??

Besides---and every one of you who has embraced this profession and made it your own, as I have, knows this to be the truth---nursing becomes so much a part of who we are, and so deeply affects our view of life, that even if we can see ourselves doing something else, the image is often fuzzy. We can't help wondering what people think or talk about when human tragedies, body fluids, birth, and death are NOT everyday occurrences in their lives. When you've spent a big portion of your life cleaning up poo, having gangrenous toes fall off in your hand, and standing by the bedside as a soul finally flees its pain-wracked prison.........well, I just don't know how making computer chips or selling widgets can be enough to satisfy the soul. Not once you've had the privilege of being a nurse.

But, that's just me.

Seriously, for me, I could walk away and never look back, if only I could make the money some other way. I know I would never, ever look back. It's been that bad of an experience for me. Have I had good moments, good patients? Of course. Do I think that I made a profound impact on lives? Maybe. Would it be enough to make me go stand even one more 12 hour shift of abuse if I was certain I was going to get a decent salary for doing something else? Heck no. And sadly, that's really my truth.

[chgoreid]

Nurses are prone to depression and substance abuse. You could research these topics. Also try searching "compassion fatigue." I think that's what it is called...

[Vito Andolini]

Nursing has definitely lowered my self-esteem. There's no doubt about that.

Yes and no. I actually think I'm a darned good nurse and a darned decent human being. Yes, I have my limitations and my flaws. However, I have helped a lot of people in the last many years of my nursing career and I know that I have made a positive difference in many lives - patients and their families, doctors, students, coworkers, bosses. I do wish I could have done even more. Time has been often insufficient.

Nursing is often stressful, often rewarding. We have to focus on the good and manage the bad.

[marie-francoise]

Seriously, for me, I could walk away and never look back, if only I could make the money some other way. I know I would never, ever look back. It's been that bad of an experience for me. Have I had good moments, good patients? Of course. Do I think that I made a profound impact on lives? Maybe. Would it be enough to make me go stand even one more 12 hour shift of abuse if I was certain I was going to get a decent salary for doing something else? Heck no. And sadly, that's really my truth.

I'm getting to feel this way, and I'm only in clinicals! (a student) One patient told me I'd be a terrific nurse; but it wasn't enough. I listen to the little voice inside me, as I gain experience through clinicals. And it's screaming at me, "Don't do this as a career!" (i.e., bedside hospital nursing - especially med/surg)

Nursing working conditions have got to improve to really retain nurses. Even in this lousy economy, I am still looking for alternatives to bedside nursing.

[eyknough]

Wow! I'm surprised by what I'm reading in here. I'm due to get my associates in nursing in May, and my experience in clinicals has left me feeling like most nurses love their jobs. (Which is, I guess, what pretty much everyone's already saying.)

I wonder if the nurses put up a front because they have a little pity on us poor nursing students.

I have noticed a surprising amount of bickering and proverbial chest pounding by pretty much everyone but the doctors. But wow, it sounds like they're really pounding critical thinking skills into our heads in school for a good reason. One day I may have to defend my judgement call in court, and probably even more often at work.

I'm ready.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

I don't like humans as a group anymore- couldn't care less whether we survive, but I see infinite beauty in individuals. Including psychotic and homeless, and those turkeys that you just want to give pillow therapy to. OK, maybe not beauty, but Potential for it.

I'm not afraid of dying, but I am afraid of being stuck in a broken body.

I am terrified of being in hospital or a nursing home and being given the respect and care of a high schooler's science experiment.

I am emotionally tired, I don't react to various family tragedies. On the plus side I bounce back fast because I know things could be worse.

I don't have much of a social life because I don't want to care about anything. If someone needs help I want something concrete to do. I feel left out of Christmas, but I don't want to take part in all the festivities either. I kind of suck that way.

[Keepstanding, ASN, RN]

sad indeed

praiser :heartbeat

[ONCRN84]

Depression, anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, a general dislike for people ... A lot of my issues have been covered here.