For all INFP personality types only

I posted something similar several years ago when I was in nursing school, but I am still stumped and trying to find my niche. Started off in med-surg/cardiac floor and completely hated it.. it was too much for me. I then took a clinic position doing just phone triage but realized that 1) I wasn't going anywhere with this, and 2) I felt that I didn't have the knowledge base and experience yet for answering patient questions over the phone. Most recently I tried NICU and failed. Too slow at learning the technical stuff and got extremely stressed over the time management of four patients from day one. Not only could not absorb and learn, but I felt like too much was thrown at me too soon, and I am one who has to see the whole picture and not just "jump right in" before I know exactly what I'm doing. I have come to the realization that floor nursing is not for me. Maybe not even nursing. Psych or community health is probably my best bet with this personality type, however, it is difficult to land a job like this without a year of hospital experience-which I don't have. I'm considering the O.R. Any thoughts? (Please be kind

I would like to know if you are an INFP what area you work in.
I am an INFP nurse.I work mostly on a Complex Continuing Care unit. We deal with physical rehab, palliative, stable medical and seniors waiting for nursing home placement. I also pick up shifts on a cardic unit and surgery. I love the CCC unit ( I love working with seniors).Hang in there. You will find a place to fit in.Why not try rehab? Best of luck.

Quote from loriangel14I am an INFP nurse.I work mostly on a Complex Continuing Care unit. We deal with physical rehab, palliative, stable medical and seniors waiting for nursing home placement. I also pick up shifts on a cardic unit and surgery. I love the CCC unit ( I love working with seniors).Hang in there. You will find a place to fit in.Why not try rehab? Best of luck.

Student here - I'm INFP. I am strongly leaning towards inpatient oncology. I agree with both PP on being drawn to seniors. It is my hope to pursue MSN-NP majoring in gerontology.

Quote from canundergradStudent here - I'm INFP. I am strongly leaning towards inpatient oncology. I agree with both PP on being drawn to seniors. It is my hope to pursue MSN-NP majoring in gerontology.

Quote from ijuanabhappyHi Lori, I think we have communicated on here before What do you do in surgery? Circulate? Right now I have a couple options available to me but rehab is not one of them. I didn't think about rehab.

I used to be an INFP, but I changed into an INFJ as time passed. I've spent my entire career in psych nursing (and some teaching).

Sorry to sound stupid; but what does INFP and INFJ mean? I still don't get all the abbreviations people use on the internet

I'm an INFP nursing student. I am hoping to get into public health or maybe go on to do clinical research. I'm curious... what is your opinion on what it is about our type of personality that seems to have such a problem with certain aspects of nursing. It's funny because when I first started nursing school, I was seeing a therapist who is also an INFP, and she was sort of discouraging me from going into nursing because she said it can be a difficult career for INFPs. The caring part, intuition and the comprehension of the intellectual aspects of nursing come pretty naturally to me, but I seem to have such a problem with time management; also it seems that any time I'm under pressure in a timed-constrained situation in the clinical setting I completely freeze up.

Quote from ijuanabhappyI posted something similar several years ago when I was in nursing school, but I am still stumped and trying to find my niche. Started off in med-surg/cardiac floor and completely hated it.. it was too much for me. I then took a clinic position doing just phone triage but realized that 1) I wasn't going anywhere with this, and 2) I felt that I didn't have the knowledge base and experience yet for answering patient questions over the phone. Most recently I tried NICU and failed. Too slow at learning the technical stuff and got extremely stressed over the time management of four patients from day one. Not only could not absorb and learn, but I felt like too much was thrown at me too soon, and I am one who has to see the whole picture and not just "jump right in" before I know exactly what I'm doing. I have come to the realization that floor nursing is not for me. Maybe not even nursing. Psych or community health is probably my best bet with this personality type, however, it is difficult to land a job like this without a year of hospital experience-which I don't have. I'm considering the O.R. Any thoughts? (Please be kind I would like to know if you are an INFP what area you work in.

Quote from lelafinI'm an INFP nursing student. I am hoping to get into public health or maybe go on to do clinical research. I'm curious... what is your opinion on what it is about our type of personality that seems to have such a problem with certain aspects of nursing. It's funny because when I first started nursing school, I was seeing a therapist who is also an INFP, and she was sort of discouraging me from going into nursing because she said it can be a difficult career for INFPs. The caring part, intuition and the comprehension of the intellectual aspects of nursing come pretty naturally to me, but I seem to have such a problem with time management; also it seems that any time I'm under pressure in a timed-constrained situation in the clinical setting I completely freeze up.

To the poster who asked what INFP is - it is a personality type from the Myers-Briggs personality test. Check it out on the 'net - it's very interesting!!

I am an INFP. With the exception of a PRN job in psych that I worked back in 2006, virtually all of my experience is in LTC, subacute rehab, and acute rehab. In addition, since I am an introvert, I do much better on night shift because day shift exposes me to way too many people (families, doctors, management, therapy staff, vendors, dietary, etc.). I cannot stand being pulled in multiple directions. I do not like to schmooze or engage in excessive small talk.Some people are adrenaline junkies who love chaos, a fast pace at work, excitement, and function well in a high-pressure, life-or-death environment. On the other hand, I like a slow pace, stable routine, low stress, low pressure, and peace and quiet. In other words, I function best when I do not need to move with a sense of urgency.