Tell me about Nursing

[ChocoholicsAnonymous]

Hi there, if you are a nurse what type of personality do you have? I am caring, interested in most things medical but am a bit of a stress head. Does this rule me out? Also not sure how family friendly a career it is.

You will need to be able to stay calm but some people manage to calm just for work! It can be very family friendly imo as long shifts mean you can work more hours in less days - I work 23hours over one day and one night, only therefore need one day's childcare plus a couple of hours after the night. The same hours 9-5 would need 3 days childcare. Nursing degrees however are not family friendly at all. All the stress of a degree with full time placements and generally very little say in shifts. There are plenty of student nurses who are parents but it's not easy!

Thanks wishupon

I'm quite level headed, very no nonsense, assertive, strong willed, but also very caring when needed.
I'm now in a community setting, I work 4 days flexi and it's bliss
Previously worked 12 hour shifts in critical care which was too stressful to do forever

There is no one type of personality that suites nursing! It is made up of a multitude of people/personalities. I honestly believe if it is something you are interested in try and get a feel for it before you start. Maybe to a year as a Health care assistant or similar before you commit to the training etc. As for being family friendly totally depends on where you work and your circumstances it definetly can be but it can also mean you miss family events (shift work) important events (Christmas). It's a very hard job but it's the most rewarding thin I have ever done.

I've always been interested but my dc were born at Christmas! Not good planning.

Paediatric nurse in a children's ward work 18 hours which is bliss but worked full time for a long time before that.
I love my job, it's exhausting just off to bed after a long shift, I trained whilst raising my now almost 16 year old, now have 4 kids but if you have good support and childcare and it's something you'd like to pursue go for it.
It's so rewarding, But also difficult and challenging at the same time, all sorts of people are nurses think that mix on my ward makes it a fab place to work

Thanks Kaykee

Im current a first year in training and sound very like you. I have mild anxiety and can easily get stressed but I've found while I'm on placement I stay fairly level headed even when a patient is seriously ill. I just wobble a bit when I get home. Thankfully I have a lot of support from my partner and they let me talk it through so I can then leave behind (anonymously of course)

I think you'll do just fine if it's really what you want.

I don't know if there is one particular personality type, however it can be really stressful, actual lives in your hands, often understaffed so unable to provide the care you'd really want to, plus then needing to write everything down you do! It's hard work, but god it's rewarding. No other job like it.
I think it's more that nursing becomes your personality than the other way round. Being a nurse really does define me a bit these days.
It's not easy, the pay is rubbish, after a mental 12hr night shift you'll question your decision. But it really is a special job.

I have been a nurse for 30 years since I was 18 and have gradually got more and more anxious about work. I am a worrier and I now realise that my work related anxiety is overwhelming, so am looking for a career change . The responsibility feels overwhelming and it seems like more and more is being expected of Nurses.

I would definitely second working as a health care assistant first. I went straight into nursing at 18 with no life experience and it was awful.