What's your personality like?

[Black Jade]

How would you describe yourself? Sometimes I wonder if I went into the wrong profession due to my personality. I did not get into this profession for the money (as long as I can earn a decent living that's all that matters) or because of "job security". I'm trying to find my niche in nursing and realized that "because I like to help people" is not good enough reason to be in this profession. I remember in High School for Career Day, I was trying to debate whether to shadow a nurse or a police officer and I ended up with shadowing a nurse which to my disappointment, wasn't too exciting. I didn't wanted to become a police officer because I didn't care too much in carrying a gun, but I was still interested in Criminal Justice yet did not know exactly in what department. I consider myself as serious and can have a short temper; and for those who don't know me, perceive me as cold and unapproachable. As a matter of fact, I can win hands on in a "poker face" game. These are characteristics that I would like to change about myself because that gives the patients and staff a wrong impression about me. Currently I am in an ambulatory care setting and have wondered many times whether I should have gone into Correctional Nursing instead.

So, what's your personality like and do you think you are in the right specialty?

Black Jade

[healthstar, BSN, RN]

I am very patient, I can listen to peoples stories all day and never get bored.

I am respectful at all times, and I respect the most people who respect me back. I enjoy listening more than talking. People always describe me by simply saying "happy individual and never seen you with a frown face" even when I have stressful days my face doesn't show it. I love helping people, I offer help when I see a person struggling to complete a task I do not wait for them to ask. I cannot stand people with attitudes, or people who always find negative things to say about others. I focus more on the positives than negatives. I have a big heart and if I know something that is important I share it with everybody that wants to hear it. I love people and I want everybody to be happy, I love sharing and also hugging people and I love complementing beautiful things that I see on people, clothes, shoes, purses, hair styles, etc. I am not selfish at all. This is who I am :)

[Missy BSN, BSN]

I'm very blunt and I tell things like they are. At first I appear quiet but after a short time period most people describe me as loud, silly, and bold.

[nursemike, ASN, RN]

I didn't know I had rosacea until I saw a dermatologist for what turned out to be a seborrheaic keratosis (age spot). He prescribed an antibiotic that felt like being kicked in the gut by a mule, so I decided a little rosacea just made me look cheerful. One of my favorite lines from the X-Files is, "This isn't a smile, it's a grimace." But, truthfully, I've lived long enough to learn that having fun, while it has it's place, is no substitute for being happy, and since learning that I am almost always happy.

I'm pathologically extroverted. My internal censor moved to Australia. I want very much to make everybody happy (I know I can't, but I still want to). The only thing I like better than hearing others' stories is telling my own. I understand my cats (very well-developed empathy). I think I'm pretty well suited to bedside nursing, tell it like it is, but diplomatically, slow to anger, patient. If a stroke pt looks at me and says "Umbrella," I sometimes know he's asking for ice water, but I can't tell you how I know. If one of my patients has pictures of his cats, or even kids, everyone else's meds will be late.

I also think almost anyone who really wants to can be a good nurse. Some parts are harder for some than for others, but if you're reasonably intelligent and sufficiently motivated, it's a perfectly attainable goal.

[mykrosphere]

i am a classic introvert.

most people have an impression of me that is false before they get to know me (which i dont give out so easily)

although i am an introvert, i tend to get a long with the grumpy types at work.

i can find a lot of humor in irony and sarcasm and appreciate people who are that way.

more cerebral than emotional, although i can be emotional.

and i love to laugh!

i am also usually hard to read, unless i am expressing myself about something that moves me.

but i try to hold it all together somehow.

i am adaptable, but affected all the same.

i dont really try to give anyone any impression of me, and prefer to just let them think whatever they may.

my heart is also definetly not on my sleeve, and when it is, it does usually have some sort of impact...not intended of course.

interesting thread.

[bamagt]

Most of all I would say that I'm laid back. I think one of the most important parts of being a good ICU nurse is your ability to remain calm when everything else is going downhill. I'm also very task oriented, if there is work to be done it's going to get done, most of the time before it has to be done. Last but not least I pride myself on my organization, I rarely if ever leave late and most of the time I'm the one who get's the 3rd patient in an ICU.

[DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP]

I sometimes think that my personality and temperament are not compatible with nursing, although I generally get along well with my patients and family members.

People tend to describe me as quiet. I'm detail-oriented, task-oriented, and usually prepare a "to do" list before the start of each shift. I am very introverted and do not enjoy passing the breeze with small talk. I prefer discussing topics that are academic, worldly, or intellectually stimulating to me. However, I will engage in small chatter if it makes the patient or visitor feel more at ease. I am very serious, occasionally uptight, lack a sense of humor, and I do not smile much because my smiles frequently come across as fake. I'll be the first person to admit that my interpersonal skills need plenty of polishing.

I am definitely not a charmer. My best friend, who is also a nurse, knows how to charm people by telling them what they want to hear, flattering them with phony compliments, telling them little fibs and lies that will make them feel good about themselves, and generally "playing the game" to be viewed favorably by others. However, I cannot bring myself to the point of kissing another person's butt just to get that person to think fondly of me.

I'm outwardly calm, thoughtful, mellow, and very non-confrontational. Confrontation disturbs me greatly. I prefer one-on-one interaction versus mingling in a large group of people. I also prefer night shifts due to having less people around.

I think we were twins in a former life.

[Katie5]

I sometimes think that my personality and temperament are not compatible with nursing, although I generally get along well with my patients and family members.

People tend to describe me as quiet. I'm detail-oriented, task-oriented, and usually prepare a "to do" list before the start of each shift. I am very introverted and do not enjoy passing the breeze with small talk. I prefer discussing topics that are academic, worldly, or intellectually stimulating to me. However, I will engage in small chatter if it makes the patient or visitor feel more at ease. I am very serious, occasionally uptight, lack a sense of humor, and I do not smile much because my smiles frequently come across as fake. I'll be the first person to admit that my interpersonal skills need plenty of polishing.

I am definitely not a charmer. My best friend, who is also a nurse, knows how to charm people by telling them what they want to hear, flattering them with phony compliments, telling them little fibs and lies that will make them feel good about themselves, and generally "playing the game" to be viewed favorably by others. However, I cannot bring myself to the point of kissing another person's butt just to get that person to think fondly of me.

I'm outwardly calm, thoughtful, mellow, and very non-confrontational. Confrontation disturbs me greatly. I prefer one-on-one interaction versus mingling in a large group of people. I also prefer night shifts due to having less people around.

[smartnurse1982]

My personality is varied. I don't smile much and come accross as mean by co-workers. I am very quiet and shy and tend to look at the floor. I do not joke around and am task oriented. I will not take a lunch until everyone has had their meds,which of course,is never.

I work with a lot of foreign born nurses who misinterpret my body language and other non verbal communication.they would say things like"how come Americans never smile?

I don't know why people automatically assume not smiling equals mean?

[newohiorn, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Interesting that most of the folks replying appear to be introverts.

I think I'm also a lot like The Commuter. I'm definitely an introvert and can only handle a certain amount of time around people before I need time alone to recharge--I almost always work 8-hr shifts, not 12s. I also much prefer one-on-one interaction to a group setting. I have co-workers who appear to love holding court with a patient and their room full of visitors, which is my worst nightmare. I'm type A and detail oriented also. People used to tell me they thought I was a snob when they first met me because I'm shy. I have a VERY dry sense of humor and can find humor in the inane situations we end up in as nurses. I also find this job unbelievably frustrating because I can't do it perfectly no matter how hard I try. I think my co-workers would probably describe me as dependable and solid. I lack the self confidence that nearly everyone else seems to have. I worry that my skills and assessments aren't as strong as others, that I don't have as much medical knowledge as others, etc. I believe I am good at reading others and have been told I am perceptive of others feelings. Being phony or putting on a happy nurse face is exhausting to me so people get me at face value nearly all the time. I'm guarded with people I don't like or don't trust. I am sometimes (perhaps often) too judgmental.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Interesting that most of the folks replying appear to be introverts.

Perhaps this might be related to the fact that many introverts (like myself) tend to find pleasure in quiet, peaceful, solitary activities such as reading online internet forums. :)

On the other hand, many of the extroverts might be entertaining guests, hanging out at the bar, or simply too busy to drop us a line.

[SlightlyMental_RN]

I didn't know I had rosacea until I saw a dermatologist for what turned out to be a seborrheaic keratosis (age spot). He prescribed an antibiotic that felt like being kicked in the gut by a mule, so I decided a little rosacea just made me look cheerful. One of my favorite lines from the X-Files is, "This isn't a smile, it's a grimace." But, truthfully, I've lived long enough to learn that having fun, while it has it's place, is no substitute for being happy, and since learning that I am almost always happy.

I'm pathologically extroverted. My internal censor moved to Australia. I want very much to make everybody happy (I know I can't, but I still want to). The only thing I like better than hearing others' stories is telling my own. I understand my cats (very well-developed empathy). I think I'm pretty well suited to bedside nursing, tell it like it is, but diplomatically, slow to anger, patient. If a stroke pt looks at me and says "Umbrella," I sometimes know he's asking for ice water, but I can't tell you how I know. If one of my patients has pictures of his cats, or even kids, everyone else's meds will be late.

I also think almost anyone who really wants to can be a good nurse. Some parts are harder for some than for others, but if you're reasonably intelligent and sufficiently motivated, it's a perfectly attainable goal.

I'm a lot like you--one of my nursing instructors described me as pathologically happy. I, too, am an extrovert that loves babies, kids, and furry animals of all kinds. This thread seems to be populated by self-described introverts, so good to see another goofball like myself.

[leslie :-D]

if a stroke pt looks at me and says "umbrella," i sometimes know he's asking for ice water, but i can't tell you how i know.

funny, i've always thought "umbrella" meant, "none of that thickener crap".

if one of my patients has pictures of his cats, or even kids, everyone else's meds will be late.

are you sure you weren't looking at an umbrella????

leslie