Is it normal to lose your humanity in the medical field?

I couldn't do that kind of work. Bravo to your courage. I hope you don't become hard-hearted. Good luck in your endeavors. I don't really know what else to say but what a shame some of those people have lost their compassion.

No problem! Yes mushy hearted I am very much. Haha. My bf laughs that I haven't watched one episode of Grey's Anatomy and haven't cried! We need more compassion in this world and for all the people who aren't compassionate enough we are the ones that have to make up for them otherwise we would lose all sense of love and caring in this world!

Stay strong and don't let the weak make you weak with them! =)

Don't be so quick to judge the people who work there. There are alot of different ways us humans cope with high emotional stress situations. Humor being one of them for instance. Those people work in very depressing surroundings and death is always around the corner, yet those people also just have to make a living, have families and children, etc. They need to find a way to do this job without it draining the life out of them. Just don't think they don't care because they make a joke about the crony old bat behind her back.

It's normal to 'lose part of your humanity' if you work in these surroundings. I just think 'losing humanity' isnt really the right term. In fact i find it very humane that I find ways to cope so that my spouse and children don't suffer the side effects of my job. I also find it very humane that i find a way to keep objective whilst performing my job instead of being a bleeding hearth who is prone to make alot of mistakes because emotions get in the way.

I would also hope that the people who don't work in healthcare would have some respect for the fact that we make ourselves more 'inhuman' in order to take better care of you, our patient. It's in that aspect of healthcare that most of the self-sacrifice lies.

They are there for the paycheck only??? Report the behavior.

I've worked in the medical field for 13 years. It's easy to get attached. Too, abuse of the system and some of the jerks you have deal with can harden you. I remember after a specifically traumatic code, I was helping bag the body and I felt nothing. Nothing at all. So, I had to step away from direct patient care and now work in administrative/management. I think there are a lot of healthcare professionals who should do the same. I'm much happier and feel that my skills are much better utilized

Thank you @kodiakfred :D

u need to visit some psychiatric

@mtnw: Yeah, maybe at the beginning it was their way of coping and now they are just numb? Possibly.

@fattymoocow: Thank you for your kind words! Yeah, you can always spot the mushy hearts at dog pounds and hospitals and I'm always one of them haha. But thanks again, I don't ever want to lose compassion. And right back at you, don't ever lose that good heart :D

@sherry: Oh yeah, I totally agree, there are some health care workers who are very good at what they do and don't mind to put a little elbow grease and a pinch of love in to their jobs. And I'm glad that your facility seems to be filled with those type of people. :)

Thanks for all of the comments!

When they get burn out, it's time to quit. I see what you're talking about around me everyday. However, their are good health care workers. I work in rehab and most of the therapists are very kind. We have one or two that need to go.

As long as you see it as something you don't like, make an effort to not let it change who you are. I can understand what you mean, I am pretty emotional. I can't leave an animal rescue center and not cry afterwards. I know it's not the same as cancer but I notice the people at the SPCA learn to deal but I just can't see myself building up a thick skin for situations like that. You have a good sympathetic and empathetic heart. Don't lose it. Just like I would never lose that part of me either. =)

maybe it's their way of coping.