Introverts constantly need to recharge their own “batteries” from being surrounded by people all the time. Now, as a nurse who is also an introvert, well let’s just say that your battery drains so much faster!
If you’re a shy and reserved person, you will definitely relate to these struggles:
- Saying good morning to your coworkers
Greeting your coworker “good morning” is tougher than it looks. “Did they hear me say it?” “Was that loud enough?” “Are we close enough to greet each other so casually?” “What if they don’t reply back?” By the time you are mentally prepared to speak, your chance slips out of the window. - When the patient’s family bombard you with questions…
If you think only your patient’s parents and spouse are going to visit, you’re wrong. Expect their cousins and best friends to be around too asking you tons of questions. - Making small talk with your fellow coworker
You struggle thinking of things to talk about and most of them probably don’t even make sense. - Getting reports from the night shift nurse as soon as you start your shift
Should I approach her? Nah, she may come to me instead. - Updating the doctor about your patient’s condition
Checking your reports a thousand times before handing over the chart to that one doctor. - When the patient is quite insistent on getting additional pain meds…
Umm… how about a no? - Dealing with angry patients because they have to wait
The ER is already full and you feel like the whole town is sick and the doctors are busy. - When you check-in with patients but they turn out to be extremely chatty…
You can’t blame patients if they want to talk to anyone after being admitted for like a week or so, but you also have to deal with your 12 other patients. - Having to follow-up medicines from an extremely accommodating pharmacis
Being a pharmacist at a huge hospital can be rough (with all the different medicines requested) but sometimes, can I please just get those medicines please? - Loving your nursing job too much.