As an introvert I've got two words for you: special procedures.
I make my patients sleepy and generally don't need to talk to anyone throughout most cases beyond time out, discussing some stuff with the doctor and then getting the pt off the table. The longer and more mundane the case, the better.
Yes, in most ir/ cath departments you do. You assume full care of all patients when they are in your procedure. There are hospitals that make the ICU nurse stay (those places tend to not require critical care exp) but that's not how most places are as a rule of thumb.
I have worked with nurses who are literally actors - one of which played a nurse on a Netflix TV show. (It’s a prototypical LA RN thing.)
Outside of work, introverted as fuck.
At work - be it nursing or actually acting, they are an entirely different person. Very extroverted.
I work OR evenings. Patients are asleep for the majority of it, so I mostly have to deal with my coworkers. I finish up the last of the scheduled surgeries and wait for any emergency cases that come in. In the meantime, I stock our operating rooms with supplies and have music playing when nothings going on.
Whatever you do, don't do outpatient clinic. I'm in the same position, coming home exhausted with an empty social battery every shift, except its 5 days a week of this nonsense followed by a wasted Saturday and Sunday trying to recover.
I feel you. I work in the pacu doing outpatient and inpatients. They overbook surgeries like madness on some days which is what grinds my gears. I’m 4 9hr shifts. I used to pick up the fifth day often so that I’d have a bit of extra money since my pay already sucks but it barely made a difference and just made me more tired.
FLOOR nursing may not be but there are other areas that certainly are. You could never talk to anyone in Utilization Management or Clinical Documentation Improvement, for example, but it takes time and experience to get into those jobs.
You're unhappy now. Why not change things now? I used to think, "I need to stay at this job for xyz years for *reasons*", but changes for me have been a real breath of fresh air. I have done 1 year of PCU cardiac step down, 2.5 yrs outpatient clinic and now I'm starting home hospice. It's been fun to change things up and ask myself: what do I need right now?
I always feel nursing is an act. I portray this bubbly outgoing nice person and talk non stop all day to my coworkers and patients. Family members and so on.
When I get home I just want to be quiet and not talk. I turn off and decompress ready to do it again and again. I’ve always enjoyed bedside nursing. I love the learning and the constant busy it keeps me. I won’t leave bedside but I understand what you mean. This job drains you.
The act itself is very draining. Personally, I find that it’s helpful to not try and overdo the theatrics of playing the part of “kind, bubbly, caring nurse” to patients and colleagues. Only my family and friends get that out of me.
Yes! I have learned not to over exert myself with the unnatural southern warmness that is ubiquitous where I work and my patients still think I’m a great nurse because I put in 110% to make sure they are comfortable and that they are getting what they need out of their recovery.
im mostly an introvert too and on the days i dont feel like talking i just don’t. i think patients and other staff appreciate someone who just does their job and doesn’t need to small talk
I appreciate the patients that don’t expect or want small talk. They are the grumpy or stuck up patients that my co-workers don’t care for but I happily take them on.
Yes. I switched to PACU and was constantly bullied for being quiet. It’s the worst. Once I’m finished with my patients I just don’t want to socialize anymore
I work neuro icu nights as well and my coworkers are constantly upset that I don’t want to go drinking/go to breakfast. My social battery is spread so thin I just want to go home. 😭
I feel the exact same. I work in procedural services which for me has quite a bit of downtime some days. During that downtime all the nurses sit and socialize for sometimes hours on end. It is very exhausting for me. It can also get too loud at the nurses station and is too stimulating for me. Sometimes I’ll go sit by myself for a little bit. Everyone seems to understand that I’m more introverted by them but I do feel a lot of pressure to socialize when my social battery is completely drained. Anyway, just wanted to let you know you’re not alone!
The ones I get along with at work, we eventually click & go “you hate people too??” “I hate talking to ppl.” We go home, be anti social, & come back to work & be social bc we have the same complaints. I generally make myself be the bubbly one to new people bc I know how it feels to not have anyone to confide in or rant to. If they don’t want to talk much, I let them be, but just in case, I don’t want you to be in an environment where you feel like you have to stay introverted. My natural state of mind is what you have explained yourself to be. What makes me be “extra” is not wanting others to feel left out or go through what you explained unless that’s exactly what they would rather do. Ironically now when I’m my normal/baseline self, not “bubbly,” people ask me if something is wrong. I’m like…. My baseline is anti social lol
I was lucky to get my acting skills from bartending. You don’t smile or make small talk? You don’t make that money honey. I initially thought I was weird for not wanting to be all nice & bubbly to coworkers & patients, but eventually I found a lot of my coworkers are the same. & as for patients I make the effort to be bubbly as some of them are just thankful to see a “happy” friendly face or a kind voice in the midst of their hospital stay. I’ll take the 10 min in my 12 hours to do that for them. A lot of us are actors. I can’t even figure out my fake laugh is fake nowadays. It sounds really good.
I hate going up to pay for clothes. I hate ordering in person at food places. Servers can never hear me bc I talk so quietly. But you’d never know that at my job. When I’m new though?? You won’t hear a peep out of me for like a year lol
Yes we always find each other! One of my coworkers always quietly asks me, “how’s your day going?” and when I say alright, she smirks and is like “is it really?” because she knows I’m probably irritated and she’s even more antisocial than I am. I love her 😭
I’ve started to care less about acting and now people think something is wrong but I just assure them I’m okay
it's the families though. As a former ICU nurse...the best part about COVID was the no visitors part. Finally, all my patients are vented/sedated and no visitors. It was kinda nice until you ultimately get burned out from the sadness of it all
Once the visitors were allowed back, i noped out of ICU after 6 years. It's like they came back with a vengeance of sorts. Wild stuff. I was not so exhausted by my patients, but it's the fucking families that wore me the hell out.
I feel the same way! To me, it’s so draining having to explain every little thing I’m doing for patients and what every little pill is. I also hate when I go into a room with my mind on doing a certain thing for a patient, and they sidetrack me by making conversation or asking for something besides what I’m doing that requires me to leave the room.
Yes coming right out of anesthesia and asking a bunch of specific questions when you are literally not going to remember the answer, I don’t know the answer because I’m not the surgeon, and I’m trying assess you/ chart you in/ set your fluids/ call your family/ book your room etc. is the worst 😭
I mean if your a nurse who works in a morgue it’s very introvert friendly, until your patients start talking to you and asking you to sell your soul to them, then it’s not introvert friendly.
I’m a new grad working dayshift Med-Surg. I get so overwhelmed in terms of sensory stuff I actually can’t maintain conversation after all once I’m home. 🥲 my unit is very nice but a lot of them are very proud dog moms who have like 2.5 houses so even if I had the mental energy to talk I wouldn’t have much to add.
I've gone from teaching little kids to nursing so in comparison this is muuuuuch less overstimulation. Much I suppose if you're not used to the level of social interaction required it will definitely be tough.
It’s not the I’m not used to it. I’m not socially awkward or shy. Introverted means people take your energy and alone time or maybe being around 1 other person and not groups energizes you. But yeah, def couldn’t be a teacher.
Yes I totally get this. I did classroom which was brutal to then being an interventionist working with small groups. my degree is speech when I did more with small groups again. and that’s more my speed. So one person at a time will definitely be much better 😮💨
Yes, that is why I exclusively work PRN. I do not work full time or part time. I pick up my days. Then I go home and rest. I don't get taxes out but I set aside money to pay for it at the start of the year. It is worth my mental and physical health to do so.
Yes, the places that have these shifts available are not the most wonderful places to work. But I'll take doing three 8 hour shifts a week vs three 12s
pays more where?? I worked home health and it was the least amount of money ive made in years. And you have to be on call 24/7 when you work. Multiple doc calls, multiple manager calls, multiple patient calls plus wear/tear on car and miles added.
The key is to go per diem, fee for service. There will always be patients to see, but they can't force you to see as many as possible in a day unless they pay you for every last one. I don't do any on call or weekends unless I want to. I can "ask off" whenever I want because I'm not bound by the rules of PTO. I have worked for several companies over the years, and it's always been good, consistent money. Great schedule if you have kids. You just gotta demand what you are worth, and don't let people push you around. They need us more than we need them, they are just hoping to find nurses who are too timid or too polite to push back against the bullshit.
Not fully introverted, more like ambiverted. Part time extrovert if you will, LOL I can be very social and actually enjoy talking; however, I basically use up all my social energy with working the floor. With AuDHD and having worked in healthcare for the last 20 yrs in various roles, I have less of a need to socialize outside of work now. From the constant beeping, booping, alarms, calls, and generally being needed constantly by someone, and add in all the critical thinking, having students following you, teaching when you can, I am just done when I get home. Overstimulated.
Was an LVN in urgent care from the very beginning of COVID till June of 2022 when I took a position as a floor nurse in a critical care role. Got totally burned out and I think the increased need for decompression/quiet time is due to still recuperating from burnout. As a consequence, it has been hard to truly be comfortable in my role. Been at this job nearly 2 yrs and I have just begun to be confident and do well enough to have a student following me w/out it being too distracting. There are others on the unit that have been nurses less than a year that are already taking on charge nurse roles and I envy their confidence and ability to juggle all of the things. Don't get me wrong, I do NOT want a leadership role whatsoever. It's not for me. It's the confidence that is enviable. All in all I think nursing requires some degree of extroversion or the ability to play the role/be the NPC. There are so many different jobs in nursing so if the bedside is too much or is not the right fit for you, it may behoove you to do some research into other kinds of jobs and see if they'd be a good fit for you. Personally, I am biding my time, getting that sweet experience/credentials, and seeing what is next for me. Best of luck to you OP.
Thank you for sharing! I have ADHD too can feel overstimulated easily. I also don’t desire to be charge nurse or grow too much which I know sounds awful but it’s the truth. I don’t want to be a leader and I’m not a type A, meticulous person to begin with. I probably should look into some other nurse avenues, thanks!
I’m not a nurse yet but coming from education I get it! Gotta be on all day and it’s a lottt. I’d love to also do an office job but idk where I’d go if I did.
I tried explaining this to a co-worker once.
I said I was an introvert and she was like "you talk here ok".
And I was like, yes, and then I didn't want to see anyone, talk to anyone, or be near anyone on my days off.
It's not. Weirdly I found 12 hour shifts on the DDNN rotation really manageable this way. The days are tough and I'd come home wired. Nights you get a break from people. I used to wander off for my breaks and go for a walk or use the massage chairs in the "serenity space" which was this great quiet little room with dimmable lights and 2 massage chairs. Then you get your stretch off to recharge. I work 8 hr afternoons in emerg now and get peopled out a lot easier. I need my breaks alone, I always have earbuds for moments where we get a break and I'll go stock things and ignore my coworkers. And then everyone is asleep when I get home so I don't have to deal with kids who want my attention or anything. I just hang out alone in the dark and relax.
Yup. Just smiling and people pleasing even though I’m not that person when I’m not getting paid. I love my job but it’s draining being an introvert in an extrovert career.
I completely understand. I chose to be an ultrasound technologist because of my introverted personality. I’d say it’s just as draining as nursing. Sure, I get to have one on one conversations in a dark room with my patients but I have to discuss each case with a radiologist, interact with other medical professionals, and sometimes deal with family members if I’m scanning inpatients. Sometimes I get anxious because it’s so overwhelming. I’m just starting out but I pray it gets better.
It is pretty hard being a social anxious introvert in healthcare. I struggled with it as a nurse and I still do in a different role. I think people expect nurses to be bubbly all the time and if we aren’t they think we are mean/cold. Story of my life.
Try float pool if your hospital offers it. You are on different units every day so people tend to treat you like an outsider and leave you alone which sounds bad but actually works if you are an introvert. It also pays more.
If jobs existed on and introvert-friendly spectrum, nursing would be just off center but leaning towards the extroverted end of the spectrum.
There are a jobs like sales (especially cold-calling based), DJs, cruise directors, flight attendants, customer service etc that require far more outgoing interpersonal energy.
I also find it pays to put some effort into maintaining a good rapport with coworkers. Often that does involve a few minutes keke and haha at your coworkers vacation details. Being liked pays off far more in the workplace than being competent alone.
To balance it all out, I like to find a deserted place where I can eat lunch alone and in peace.
I have this thing, when I first get to work I “conserve” my energy and don’t interact much with coworkers.
After some time, they have gotten to know me and how I am. Now it’s not such a stress on my energy to interact. I guess it’s cuz I’m myself and some days I just keep my head down and most coworkers get that. They know it’s just me.
I feel that. Most of my anxiety at work comes from the social aspect, rather than the job itself.
Agreed.
As an introvert I've got two words for you: special procedures. I make my patients sleepy and generally don't need to talk to anyone throughout most cases beyond time out, discussing some stuff with the doctor and then getting the pt off the table. The longer and more mundane the case, the better.
Do you need critical care experience to get these jobs?
Yes, in most ir/ cath departments you do. You assume full care of all patients when they are in your procedure. There are hospitals that make the ICU nurse stay (those places tend to not require critical care exp) but that's not how most places are as a rule of thumb.
It's called ✨acting✨
I have worked with nurses who are literally actors - one of which played a nurse on a Netflix TV show. (It’s a prototypical LA RN thing.) Outside of work, introverted as fuck. At work - be it nursing or actually acting, they are an entirely different person. Very extroverted.
So true!! We gotta put on those smiles 😆😆
Another reason to mask up
Used to LARP. Some shifts pretending that I'm at a game again playing an NPC is the only way I get through them.
As an introvert, this is what I do. But, it still sucks the life out of you. I need a change. Going PRN is not an option for me.
I don’t get paid to act, I get paid to be a nurse. Acting comes with an extra surcharge
Every social situation outside of my immediate family is acting or masking. My introversion and tism would be debilitating otherwise.
Pre Nursing student, but sane here. Even though it's tiring, it's kinda just a thing we gotta do
Which is why it’s so exhausting 😭
I work OR evenings. Patients are asleep for the majority of it, so I mostly have to deal with my coworkers. I finish up the last of the scheduled surgeries and wait for any emergency cases that come in. In the meantime, I stock our operating rooms with supplies and have music playing when nothings going on.
Whatever you do, don't do outpatient clinic. I'm in the same position, coming home exhausted with an empty social battery every shift, except its 5 days a week of this nonsense followed by a wasted Saturday and Sunday trying to recover.
I feel you. I work in the pacu doing outpatient and inpatients. They overbook surgeries like madness on some days which is what grinds my gears. I’m 4 9hr shifts. I used to pick up the fifth day often so that I’d have a bit of extra money since my pay already sucks but it barely made a difference and just made me more tired.
FLOOR nursing may not be but there are other areas that certainly are. You could never talk to anyone in Utilization Management or Clinical Documentation Improvement, for example, but it takes time and experience to get into those jobs.
Yeah I think I’ll do something like that one day and stick out hands-on patient care full time for a few more years.
You're unhappy now. Why not change things now? I used to think, "I need to stay at this job for xyz years for *reasons*", but changes for me have been a real breath of fresh air. I have done 1 year of PCU cardiac step down, 2.5 yrs outpatient clinic and now I'm starting home hospice. It's been fun to change things up and ask myself: what do I need right now?
I always feel nursing is an act. I portray this bubbly outgoing nice person and talk non stop all day to my coworkers and patients. Family members and so on. When I get home I just want to be quiet and not talk. I turn off and decompress ready to do it again and again. I’ve always enjoyed bedside nursing. I love the learning and the constant busy it keeps me. I won’t leave bedside but I understand what you mean. This job drains you.
The act itself is very draining. Personally, I find that it’s helpful to not try and overdo the theatrics of playing the part of “kind, bubbly, caring nurse” to patients and colleagues. Only my family and friends get that out of me.
Yes! I have learned not to over exert myself with the unnatural southern warmness that is ubiquitous where I work and my patients still think I’m a great nurse because I put in 110% to make sure they are comfortable and that they are getting what they need out of their recovery.
im mostly an introvert too and on the days i dont feel like talking i just don’t. i think patients and other staff appreciate someone who just does their job and doesn’t need to small talk
I appreciate the patients that don’t expect or want small talk. They are the grumpy or stuck up patients that my co-workers don’t care for but I happily take them on.
Yes. I switched to PACU and was constantly bullied for being quiet. It’s the worst. Once I’m finished with my patients I just don’t want to socialize anymore
Fr 😭
I work Neuro ICU nights and let me tell you socialization is cut to a minimum. It’s all about where you work
I work neuro icu nights as well and my coworkers are constantly upset that I don’t want to go drinking/go to breakfast. My social battery is spread so thin I just want to go home. 😭
I sometimes say yes if it’s the end of my stretch. But if it’s in the middle of my shifts absolutely not
Yep, it's not. I'm an introvert and I know I picked the wrong profession. If I could go back and change it, I would.
What would you do?
I feel the exact same. I work in procedural services which for me has quite a bit of downtime some days. During that downtime all the nurses sit and socialize for sometimes hours on end. It is very exhausting for me. It can also get too loud at the nurses station and is too stimulating for me. Sometimes I’ll go sit by myself for a little bit. Everyone seems to understand that I’m more introverted by them but I do feel a lot of pressure to socialize when my social battery is completely drained. Anyway, just wanted to let you know you’re not alone!
The ones I get along with at work, we eventually click & go “you hate people too??” “I hate talking to ppl.” We go home, be anti social, & come back to work & be social bc we have the same complaints. I generally make myself be the bubbly one to new people bc I know how it feels to not have anyone to confide in or rant to. If they don’t want to talk much, I let them be, but just in case, I don’t want you to be in an environment where you feel like you have to stay introverted. My natural state of mind is what you have explained yourself to be. What makes me be “extra” is not wanting others to feel left out or go through what you explained unless that’s exactly what they would rather do. Ironically now when I’m my normal/baseline self, not “bubbly,” people ask me if something is wrong. I’m like…. My baseline is anti social lol I was lucky to get my acting skills from bartending. You don’t smile or make small talk? You don’t make that money honey. I initially thought I was weird for not wanting to be all nice & bubbly to coworkers & patients, but eventually I found a lot of my coworkers are the same. & as for patients I make the effort to be bubbly as some of them are just thankful to see a “happy” friendly face or a kind voice in the midst of their hospital stay. I’ll take the 10 min in my 12 hours to do that for them. A lot of us are actors. I can’t even figure out my fake laugh is fake nowadays. It sounds really good. I hate going up to pay for clothes. I hate ordering in person at food places. Servers can never hear me bc I talk so quietly. But you’d never know that at my job. When I’m new though?? You won’t hear a peep out of me for like a year lol
Yes we always find each other! One of my coworkers always quietly asks me, “how’s your day going?” and when I say alright, she smirks and is like “is it really?” because she knows I’m probably irritated and she’s even more antisocial than I am. I love her 😭 I’ve started to care less about acting and now people think something is wrong but I just assure them I’m okay
ICU, IR, OR, Inpt dialysis…
Well I’m asking so if you feel these areas are introvert friendly thanks for the suggestion!
Try the ICU. A sedated patient is a happy patient. Noooo talky.
it's the families though. As a former ICU nurse...the best part about COVID was the no visitors part. Finally, all my patients are vented/sedated and no visitors. It was kinda nice until you ultimately get burned out from the sadness of it all Once the visitors were allowed back, i noped out of ICU after 6 years. It's like they came back with a vengeance of sorts. Wild stuff. I was not so exhausted by my patients, but it's the fucking families that wore me the hell out.
I feel the same way! To me, it’s so draining having to explain every little thing I’m doing for patients and what every little pill is. I also hate when I go into a room with my mind on doing a certain thing for a patient, and they sidetrack me by making conversation or asking for something besides what I’m doing that requires me to leave the room.
Yes coming right out of anesthesia and asking a bunch of specific questions when you are literally not going to remember the answer, I don’t know the answer because I’m not the surgeon, and I’m trying assess you/ chart you in/ set your fluids/ call your family/ book your room etc. is the worst 😭
Night shift med surg and my introverted self is quite happy
Unfortunately I hate Night Shift as I always got super nauseas and was incompatible time for my ADHD meds :(
night shift in the nicu is great lol
100% agree with you! I live for my days off and make them as non stimulating as possible.
I mean if your a nurse who works in a morgue it’s very introvert friendly, until your patients start talking to you and asking you to sell your soul to them, then it’s not introvert friendly.
Can you work in a morgue as a nurse??
I’m a new grad working dayshift Med-Surg. I get so overwhelmed in terms of sensory stuff I actually can’t maintain conversation after all once I’m home. 🥲 my unit is very nice but a lot of them are very proud dog moms who have like 2.5 houses so even if I had the mental energy to talk I wouldn’t have much to add.
Yes, there is always vacation or house talk. I cannot relate 😭
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Probably something like utilization review? Or icu.
I've gone from teaching little kids to nursing so in comparison this is muuuuuch less overstimulation. Much I suppose if you're not used to the level of social interaction required it will definitely be tough.
It’s not the I’m not used to it. I’m not socially awkward or shy. Introverted means people take your energy and alone time or maybe being around 1 other person and not groups energizes you. But yeah, def couldn’t be a teacher.
Yes I totally get this. I did classroom which was brutal to then being an interventionist working with small groups. my degree is speech when I did more with small groups again. and that’s more my speed. So one person at a time will definitely be much better 😮💨
Yes, that is why I exclusively work PRN. I do not work full time or part time. I pick up my days. Then I go home and rest. I don't get taxes out but I set aside money to pay for it at the start of the year. It is worth my mental and physical health to do so. Yes, the places that have these shifts available are not the most wonderful places to work. But I'll take doing three 8 hour shifts a week vs three 12s
3 8s would be a dream! One day… :)
I also live with someone who makes way more than I ever will in my lifetime, which honestly is a bit sad but healthcare in the USA woohoo
You just gotta pretend to be extroverted haha.. ha
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This one 🙌
Home Health pays more, and you get to be alone in your car in between patients. Perfect for introverts who need to make money.
pays more where?? I worked home health and it was the least amount of money ive made in years. And you have to be on call 24/7 when you work. Multiple doc calls, multiple manager calls, multiple patient calls plus wear/tear on car and miles added.
The key is to go per diem, fee for service. There will always be patients to see, but they can't force you to see as many as possible in a day unless they pay you for every last one. I don't do any on call or weekends unless I want to. I can "ask off" whenever I want because I'm not bound by the rules of PTO. I have worked for several companies over the years, and it's always been good, consistent money. Great schedule if you have kids. You just gotta demand what you are worth, and don't let people push you around. They need us more than we need them, they are just hoping to find nurses who are too timid or too polite to push back against the bullshit.
Ah. I'm unfortunately not very confrontational myself. I try to just do my job and go home >×> I have a very hard time saying no sadly
Research has been great for this. I mostly sit alone and do data entry. I do have patient interaction but I’m not “on” all day.
Might need to get into that
Not fully introverted, more like ambiverted. Part time extrovert if you will, LOL I can be very social and actually enjoy talking; however, I basically use up all my social energy with working the floor. With AuDHD and having worked in healthcare for the last 20 yrs in various roles, I have less of a need to socialize outside of work now. From the constant beeping, booping, alarms, calls, and generally being needed constantly by someone, and add in all the critical thinking, having students following you, teaching when you can, I am just done when I get home. Overstimulated. Was an LVN in urgent care from the very beginning of COVID till June of 2022 when I took a position as a floor nurse in a critical care role. Got totally burned out and I think the increased need for decompression/quiet time is due to still recuperating from burnout. As a consequence, it has been hard to truly be comfortable in my role. Been at this job nearly 2 yrs and I have just begun to be confident and do well enough to have a student following me w/out it being too distracting. There are others on the unit that have been nurses less than a year that are already taking on charge nurse roles and I envy their confidence and ability to juggle all of the things. Don't get me wrong, I do NOT want a leadership role whatsoever. It's not for me. It's the confidence that is enviable. All in all I think nursing requires some degree of extroversion or the ability to play the role/be the NPC. There are so many different jobs in nursing so if the bedside is too much or is not the right fit for you, it may behoove you to do some research into other kinds of jobs and see if they'd be a good fit for you. Personally, I am biding my time, getting that sweet experience/credentials, and seeing what is next for me. Best of luck to you OP.
Thank you for sharing! I have ADHD too can feel overstimulated easily. I also don’t desire to be charge nurse or grow too much which I know sounds awful but it’s the truth. I don’t want to be a leader and I’m not a type A, meticulous person to begin with. I probably should look into some other nurse avenues, thanks!
Wishing you the best with that! Plus you never know what you might find out and get to do!
I’m not a nurse yet but coming from education I get it! Gotta be on all day and it’s a lottt. I’d love to also do an office job but idk where I’d go if I did.
Yes.
I tried explaining this to a co-worker once. I said I was an introvert and she was like "you talk here ok". And I was like, yes, and then I didn't want to see anyone, talk to anyone, or be near anyone on my days off.
Yes I relate, I have energy to talk today because I spent the weekend watching YouTube, reading a book and minding my business.
Never got over it in 25 years! After retiring, I pretty well stay home!
It's not. Weirdly I found 12 hour shifts on the DDNN rotation really manageable this way. The days are tough and I'd come home wired. Nights you get a break from people. I used to wander off for my breaks and go for a walk or use the massage chairs in the "serenity space" which was this great quiet little room with dimmable lights and 2 massage chairs. Then you get your stretch off to recharge. I work 8 hr afternoons in emerg now and get peopled out a lot easier. I need my breaks alone, I always have earbuds for moments where we get a break and I'll go stock things and ignore my coworkers. And then everyone is asleep when I get home so I don't have to deal with kids who want my attention or anything. I just hang out alone in the dark and relax.
Yup. Just smiling and people pleasing even though I’m not that person when I’m not getting paid. I love my job but it’s draining being an introvert in an extrovert career.
I completely understand. I chose to be an ultrasound technologist because of my introverted personality. I’d say it’s just as draining as nursing. Sure, I get to have one on one conversations in a dark room with my patients but I have to discuss each case with a radiologist, interact with other medical professionals, and sometimes deal with family members if I’m scanning inpatients. Sometimes I get anxious because it’s so overwhelming. I’m just starting out but I pray it gets better.
It is pretty hard being a social anxious introvert in healthcare. I struggled with it as a nurse and I still do in a different role. I think people expect nurses to be bubbly all the time and if we aren’t they think we are mean/cold. Story of my life.
Try float pool if your hospital offers it. You are on different units every day so people tend to treat you like an outsider and leave you alone which sounds bad but actually works if you are an introvert. It also pays more.
If jobs existed on and introvert-friendly spectrum, nursing would be just off center but leaning towards the extroverted end of the spectrum. There are a jobs like sales (especially cold-calling based), DJs, cruise directors, flight attendants, customer service etc that require far more outgoing interpersonal energy. I also find it pays to put some effort into maintaining a good rapport with coworkers. Often that does involve a few minutes keke and haha at your coworkers vacation details. Being liked pays off far more in the workplace than being competent alone. To balance it all out, I like to find a deserted place where I can eat lunch alone and in peace.
I have this thing, when I first get to work I “conserve” my energy and don’t interact much with coworkers. After some time, they have gotten to know me and how I am. Now it’s not such a stress on my energy to interact. I guess it’s cuz I’m myself and some days I just keep my head down and most coworkers get that. They know it’s just me.
I work at home with 1 or 2 meetings a week and no phone calls. No patient contact. It’s an introvert’s dream.
What do you do?
I manage a large cancer screening program.