What type of nursing is best for an introvert?

texas2007, BSN, RN · Jul 19, 2008

I'm a very strong introvert and it's one of the reasons I picked nicu. Sure I talk to my babies but that's different, not a real conversation ya know? I love that I don't have to explain procedures to them (and now I'm going to stick this tube up your nose...). I get kinda edgy when parents are there hovering for hours on end asking questions and sometimes questioning my intelligence but I would too if it was my kid. However, there are also shifts where the only parent contact is a 30 second phone call or even nothing at all. The only draw back is because of how our nicu is set up (6 babies per room, 2-3 babies per nurse), sometimes it can be bad to be stuck in a pod with another nurse you find boring or don't really get along with for 12 hours, but it's not too bad...

Jo Dirt · Jul 19, 2008

I am a new LPN, and have been working in a nursing home for approximately 2 1/2 months. I know this is not the right fit for me, but it was the best paying option as I have loans to pay back. I was wondering if anyone had an idea as to what type of nursing would be best for someone who gets along great with others, but is an introvert. I find being around and interacting with too many people draining, and I feel exhausted by the end of the day. Any ideas?

You sound just like me. I'm working at a nursing home right now, too, but it's not permanent. I don't think there are many nursing jobs where you can isolate yourself from others totally. I thought home health would be good for me because I would get a lot of alone time in my car. I hated every minute of HH and found having to go in stranger's houses way more distressing than being in a busy nursing home.

I'm working 3-11 at the nursing home, and it is quite hectic from 3 to about 6. As the evening wears on and the residents go to bed, things get a lot calmer and I can be more into my charting and one on one patient care. I would never want the day shift, and I loved but couldn't take the hours of night shift.

HM2VikingRN, RN · Jul 19, 2008

Home health care? One patient at a time and you can manage your contact time to reduce stress levels.

interleukin · Jul 19, 2008

Forensic nursing

FireStarterRN, BSN, RN · Jul 19, 2008

Working nights is good for an intovert, if you can handle the hours...

Llynn · Jul 19, 2008

Yup. I agree about the shifts. I work day/evening, and I pretty much hate day shift. Evenings are better, but then I never see my husband. I don't think my body would adjust to night shift. I don't want to totally isolate myself, but I am trying to find a path toward a more 'quiet' environment, preferably without alarms going off over my head every 2 minutes (Nursing Home). I was considering home health for the same reason you stated. Can you tell me more about pros/cons of home health?

Llynn · Jul 19, 2008

I am actually considering the NICU. LPNs don't work in the NICU, but I plan on getting my RN at the community college part-time while I work as an LPN. What concerns me about the NICU is how I would handle dealing with family that caused the infant to be in the NICU (ie: drug addicted babies). I think it would be a very emotionally demanding career choice. How often do you come across such situations?

MzMouse · Jul 19, 2008

I am more of an introvert and I really liked nights. Not as many people around and it tends to be more of a close-knit group.

I now work in a clinic and like it a lot. Clinic nursing is nearly always a pay cut however.

djc1981 · Jul 19, 2008

Would OR be good? Not sure. Ive heard you deal less w/ the pts families..and well, the pts are mostly unconscious :)

Guest20074 · Jul 19, 2008

Would OR be good? Not sure. Ive heard you deal less w/ the pts families..and well, the pts are mostly unconscious :)

NO!! You do deal less with patients' families, but the surgeons can be even worse. As an OR nurse, you're there for safety reasons and you *HAVE* to have the courage to speak up when you see that something is wrong.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 19, 2008

I have always been a hardcore introvert, preferring minimal social interaction. If I am around too many people, I become annoyed, weary, and drained.

I work 12-hour nights at a nursing home, from 6pm to 6am. It is usually not too bad, because I only must deal with families and visitors for the first 3 to 4 hours of my shift. For the last 8 hours of the shift, it's quiet.