It takes a special person to become a nurse. Although it takes a special type of person, not all personalities are the same.

Working in healthcare means working with all different types of people and their personalities. Knowing the varying types of personalities could be beneficial. Understanding your own personality traits could be very helpful professionally and personally.

It’s not easy working with all different types of people but being self-aware is an easy way to ensure a nurse's success. Being mindful of one's personality type can mean better communication and patient outcomes. But how do you do this? How can someone determine their own personality traits?

One way is to take the Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator (MBTI). This is a self-reported test that will identify your personality type, strengths, and preferences. The MBTI is widely known and often helps individuals decide which career path they should follow.

Crazy, right? A personality test that could dictate your future career. It’s true! The Myers-Briggs test is one of the most used psychological tools used today. The goal of the test is to help you better understand yourself in order to live a happy life.

The test focuses on four different aspects.

1. Introversion(I)/Extraversion(E)

2. Sensing(S)/Intuition(N)

3. Thinking(T)/Feeling(F)

4. Judging(J)/Perceiving(P)

The test questions are designed to determine where you fit in each of the four aspects. For example, are you an introvert or an extravert?

Based on your answers, the test assigns you one of the 16 personality types.

1. ISTJ 2. ISTP 3. ISFJ 4. ISFP 5. INFJ 6. INFP 7. INTJ 8. INTP 9. ESTP 10. ESTJ 11. ESFP 12. ESFJ 13. ENFP 14. ENFJ 15. ENTP 16. ENTJ

Each letter represents one of the four aspects. So for example number one is ISTJ.

I = Introversion

S=Sensing

T=Thinker

J=Judging

Each personality type has key characteristics that define each individual. Type ISTJ can be described as someone who is quiet, pays attention to detail, and loves to have everything planned out.

The test was designed to help individuals better understand themselves and even help decide which career path to follow. So does that mean everyone in the same profession has the same personality traits?

If every nurse took the Myers-Biggs Personality Type Indicator would everyone end up with the same four letters?

Although many nurses share similar characteristics, not every nurse will fall into the same personality type. Keep in mind the various types of nursing. Nurses with the same personality types might gravitate towards the same type of nursing.

An article found in NursingStandard explained that one of the most common personality types discovered amongst nurses is ISFJ (introvert, sensing, feeling, and judging). This personality type can be described as quiet but friendly and responsible. Loyal and committed to their obligations.

Another common personality type for nurses could be ESFJ (extravert, sensing, feeling, and judging). These types of nurses could be described as cooperative and task oriented. Likes to work with others in order to complete the job and pays attention to the needs of others.

The world of nursing is full of possibilities. The various specialties gives nurses with different personality traits opportunities to work in areas best suited for them. Not every nurse is going to be the same. That’s probably a good thing! The personalities and characteristics of each nurse make it a beautiful profession.