It seems that quite often in life, especially in the last few years, people have noted a trend I must take on tasks involving the inspiration of others to expand and find out. This seems to be backed by the personality classification dependant on my taking of the Myers-Briggs personality test. In other words, I've an ENFJ personality type, also called "The Teacher". In critiquing my personality type, it is clear it has profound impact on just how I view and interact with the world, practice as a nurse, take care of stress and take care of myself.
The Dimensions of Personality and the Practice of Nursing
The characters ENFJ make reference to choices within four different dimensions of personality. Specifically the "E", which means extroversion, details my outward route of energy move. Which means that in general I am centered on the environment and folks around me rather than reflecting after the world within me. That is manifested by an over-all excitement as i am involved with activities with others. Such activities give me energy.
As a nurse in training, this quality offers me the motivation and courage to meet new people and boldly learn how to require myself in their lives in a good manner. For example, one day while performing a clinical in the oncology unit at UCLA I learned of the 21 yr old patient who earned his guitars and amplifiers. Along with the agreement of my medical teacher and the nursing personnel, I eagerly went to his room to speak about guitars. We finished up "jamming" together with his mom and some fellow student nurses in attendance. This provided us an possibility to speak of his music as well as health and hope for the future. He, his mother and, as I learned later, the medical staff, were very appreciative.
The next dimensions in the Myers-Briggs series pertains to my desire in the method I use to obtain new information. "N" presents an intuitive choice, which means I've an affinity for finding insights beyond just the "facts". I've a tendency to consider abstract meanings and consider options for future years based upon trends I see today.
In the medical role, this quality can help me to see the big picture beyond the raw data in regards to a patient. For instance, in the Emergency Room at a recent medical, a disturbed mental health patient stored complaining of the "squeezing" sensing in her calves and asking for medication. I sensed there is more to the problem and I asked her if anything demanding occurred prior to these symptoms. She then expounded on a specific verbal conflict the prior day and unleashed a slew of mental reviews about her life. Soon her feet were no more an issue and she wanted transfer to the mental health device.
How I make decisions is mentioned by the third aspect with my preference being an "F" for feeling. This means that I prefer to consider people and special circumstances as important above how general concepts can be consistently and logically applied. In this respect I am inclined to consider the greatest good for all people involved in the situation over and against a rigid cost-benefit analysis that will not incorporate the value of harmonious interactions. An affinity to count on feelings also leads me to find inspiration and motivation in meanings that are not commonly quantifiable but are nevertheless very real.
My give attention to emotions leads me to make sure everyone is pleased with a decision which involves them. This can benefit me as a team member over a nursing staff. Last quarter a nurse requested I really do something with a patient that was theoretically outside the clinic protocol and different than the way we discovered it in college. Though I understood her way was common and accepted, I had not been willing to perform it below the standard I had learned. However, the pressing matter on my mind was not declaring the "rules", but retaining our relationship. With this thought I refrained from bluntly asserted the process, though this might have been quicker and easier in as soon as. Instead I came across ways to carefully ask her about the standard protocol and the reason why for it. Then, alternatively than saying what I'd do, I asked her how she would feel if I did it matching to standard protocol. This made her feel like she were a partner in the decision. At this time she heartily agreed and recognized me. In this way I managed to proceed based on the strict hospital rules without hindering my relationship with the nurse.
The last aspect describes how I prefer to relate to the exterior world. The "J" means judging, this means I place a high value on the accomplishment of tasks in order to make a sense of order and control. In this respect I may would rather forgo overall flexibility and spontaneity to be able to bring steadiness and predictability to life.
This characteristic drives me to organize and track tasks in a concrete manner which may be very important as a nurse. Throughout a clinical day previous quarter I soon understood that many things could impact when and if meds received (e. g. a med is out of stock, the patient refused, vitals or labs not within range, . ) It's important for the nurse to observe this as it'll impact future decisions. Because of the I developed a unique chart, utilizing special symbols and notations, that I used to keep record the position of the offering of meds. This graph freed my brain to consider new jobs without forgetting why so when the situation with a previous medication needed to be revisited. The graph also served as a good tool my clinical trainer and precepting nurse could view as well.
Personality Under Fire
When under stress my wish to avoid issue sometimes leads me to forego what may be fair for myself. Just lately in a medical situation I was working with patients that required a sizable amount of surprising care I naively agreed to undertake. As the stress had taken its toll, alternatively than seeking help and have a much needed chance, I opted to resolve the issues myself by pulling after every ounce of energy my extrovert attitude could supply. Although it would have been affordable to count on others, the stress caused me to imagine doing so would create disharmony.
As an ENFJ I really do tend to give attention to the viewpoints of others about me to gauge my value. I JUST was performing a sterile process under the supervision of a nurse who I noticed was hurrying me. In my own effort to gain her authorization, I went quicker than I used to be ready, rather than assert to her i was already heading as fast as I possibly could. This resulted in making a blunder that required me to start over with a new set of equipment.
Various aspects of the ENFJ type help me relate to people. My desire to aid others makes me very sensitive to the needs of co-workers. Recently when working with an ER nurse, as she described and exhibited me different procedures, I was always requesting her for ways I could assist in an ancillary way, which she loved. I seemed to relieve a few of her stress.
With patients I am very comfortable walking into situations i am unfamiliar with as I am assured my extrovert attitude with take me. At a recent healing activity group in the Geriatric Psychiatric Product I could quickly interact with most patients and entail them in conversations. One woman thought comfortable sharing some great memories with me at night about a songs she cherished. Also my need to draw out the best in people causes me to consider ways to motivate hope. Using a cancer patient who was despondent over his prognosis, I prompted him with all the current good things he had in his life such as his family and community activities. This brightened his view and appeared to give him courage for future years.
The value I put on quality, order and the agreement of others leads me to be very inquisitive with supervisors. I generally desire verification i am headed in the right route. In this manner I make sure that what I am doing is appropriate. This is evidenced by the numerous questions posed to my Mental Health teacher and an overseeing clinic staff person about the next healing activity group.
I take this attitude into my connections with doctors as well, that i find to be constructive. I JUST could connect to a surgeon in OR. He could see my want to get involved as much as possible and began to engage me in chat about the patient's condition. My basic outgoing and inquisitive frame of mind inspired him to require me more, even allowing me to palpate various organs open by the incision. This turned out to be a very education experience for me personally.
With groups, I think people view me as a person who will help even the sides of relationships. In addition, while in group gatherings I tend to avoid bringing in negative focus on anyone, even if it takes the proper execution of good-natured ribbing, as I am delicate to the effect of having an "audience". In the previous semester, an associate of my scholar clinical group called me to discuss some "issues" she experienced with the comments of another learner in the group. After communicating a little I could help her see these remarks in a less antagonistic way and provide her some suggestions about how to respond in the foreseeable future to avoid friction.
Personality and Self-Care
Knowing my personality type helps me know how I need to look after myself. As an ENFJ I am worked up about aiding others and offering their potential. However, this may lead me to sacrifice my own needs. Because I greatly value connections with others, I may have a tendency to dismiss the worthiness solitary time that could help me accumulate my thoughts. Therefore, in the foreseeable future I have to consciously allow myself time to be together and reflect on life without sensing as if I am missing out on something. That is important to protect balance in my own life. Due to my disdain for issue, I often neglect to maintain proper personal restrictions, which unscrupulous people sometimes benefit from. In view of this, if I conclude that someone has overstepped their bounds, I need to assert myself to avoid this and understand that doing this is important for a healthy relationship. It is actually in the best interest of most worried. Because I greatly desire affirmation from others, I tend to be excessively hard on myself easily make a blunder or flunk. Therefore, just like I am aware how important it is to forgive others and have these to forgive me, I need to have the ability to forgive myself. To accomplish any less is always to compromise my emotional and mental well-being and performance.
Conclusion
As I browse the general descriptions of each of the measurements of the ENFJ personality type it is uncanny how realistically they defined me in ways that were not explicitly asked about on the test. When we put all of these preference dimensions along we see the portrait of your "Teacher": somebody who is outgoing, looks for abstract ways to hook up ideas and inspire people, understands the value of human relationships, and detects satisfaction in setting up goals and achieving a task. Knowing the fundamentals of my personality type, combined with the advantages and weaknesses, can help me understand my earlier and plan the near future.
References
Butt, J. (2005, February 23). Extraverted iNtuitive Feeling Judging. Retrieved January 2011, 13, from http://typelogic. com/enfj. html
Idealist Portrait of the Professor (ENFJ). (n. d. ). Retrieved January 12, 2011, from http://www. keirsey. com/4temps/teacher. asp
Jung Typology Test. (n. d. ). Retrieved January 12, 2011, from http://humanmetrics. com/cgi-win/jtypes2. asp
Portrait of ENFJ. (2010). Retrieved January 15, 2011, from http://www. personalitypage. com/html/ENFJ. html
The Myers & Briggs Foundation. (n. d. ). MBTI Essentials. Retrieved January 28, 2011, from http://www. myersbriggs. org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/
