Point of care: What’s your nursing personality?

Michael C. LaFerney | 27 April 2018

It’s one of the Big Five, and you’ll find it in OCEAN.

Point of care: What’s your nursing personality?Understanding your personality style can help you use your uniqueness to improve your life and the lives of your patients. And where you’re weak, you can change.

“Gee, that nurse has a terrible personality,“ Mr. Smith said to me as Carmella left the room.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

Michael LaFerney“She is so disorganized, is always complaining, handles me roughly during care, and gets very anxious if I suggest doing the dressing in a way that causes me less pain. She doesn't seem too happy with her job! I wish she were more like April, the evening shift nurse.”

“How is April different?” I asked.

“To minimize disruption, April has her supplies organized when she comes in the room, is pleasant, listens when I suggest a new way to do the dressing that lessens pain, is calm, and encourages me. A big difference!”          

In describing two nurses in terms of their personality styles and traits, Smith has touched on two of five traits psychologists identify as primary aspects of personality. They’re called the Big Five, and the acronym OCEAN is helpful in remembering them.

The first is openness. Openness is the willingness to try new things or new ways of doing things, and it’s related to creativity and achievement. April is willing to try a different way to change Smith’s dressing. She is creative in approaching the issue and involving the patient in his care. Being open to experience involves independence and imagination. Carmella goes by the book. She always does the dressing the same way, even though the patient may have a better idea, and she is insecure about modifying what she has been taught.

The second of the Big Five traits is conscientiousness. This is a very important factor in nursing. Conscientiousness is related to better job performance, achievement, and quality relationships. By planning ahead, having an encouraging demeanor, and listening to and working with Smith, April shows a high level of conscientiousness. Carmella, on the other hand, is disorganized and often forgets needed supplies, which prolongs the procedure and the patient’s discomfort. She also complains and rushes through procedures, causing additional pain.

Extroversion is No. 3. April likes people, likes her job, and looks forward to changing Smith’s dressing as a time to socialize with him. She feels affection toward her patients and recognizes she is making a difference in their lives. Fun-loving, she enjoys off-work hours with her friends. Carmella dreads changing the dressing. She is afraid of doing it wrong, is not comfortable talking with people, and has a somber outlook, rarely offering encouragement. Off-duty, she is an introvert who prefers being alone and solitary activities.

Agreeableness, the fourth trait, involves trusting, being helpful, and being concerned about the feelings of others. April views Smith positively and is amenable to changing the dressing his way. Smith’s suggestion makes Carmella anxious because it deviates from the way she was taught. She’s afraid he’ll report her if something goes wrong. Lack of trust prompts her, at times, to refuse his requests and insist she knows better.

The last trait, neuroticism, has to do with emotional stability or lack thereof. April is calm and has high self-efficacy. Aware of her strengths and limitations, she feels good about her nursing ability and is not afraid to ask for help when needed. Carmella is anxious both at home and at work, is prone to negative cognitions about herself and others, and wonders if nursing is the right career for her. She is depressed but, because of her introversion, other nurses don’t notice. This is unfortunate because depression is a state that can change. While personality traits are generally enduring and fixed, circumstances can affect our personalities. If Carmella wasn’t depressed, she might be more social, open, and agreeable.

Examine your nursing personality. Are you more like April or Carmella?

We can be stronger in some areas and weaker in others. If you find yourself weak in certain areas of the Big Five, remember: You can change. Carmella could undergo cognitive therapy and learn to change the negative thought processes that create her anxiety. Or, psychodynamic therapy could help her understand herself better and become more trusting, open, and agreeable.

The Big Five are a lens with which to view major personality types, but the amazing personality differences among nurses also account, in part, for why nursing is such an interesting profession. Understanding your personality style can help you use your uniqueness to improve your life and the lives of your patients. RNL

Michael C. LaFerney, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC, is a psychiatric clinical nurse specialist at Arbour SeniorCare in Haverhill, Massachusetts, USA.

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