HOW A NURSE IN TRAINING OVERCAME EMOTIONAL IMMATURITY

When Marian Crane was a nurse in training she did not get 
along well with the other girls in training. Neither did 
she get along well with the patients. She observed that 
others did get along well and that they seemed to be very 
cheerful whereas she was unhappy because of her dilemma. 
Marian observed the reactions of others continually and 
especially. How they reacted in emotional situations. She 
then studied her own reactions and feelings and realized 
that she was extremely sensitive. If a patient, teacher, or 
other trainee made a rather mild statement she took it to 
heart, enlarged on it and felt that she was being 
belittled, criticized, blamed and accused. As she 
concentrated on what others said and in reality, whether or 
not she might be involved, she realized that she had been 
accepting all that was said or done as being directed at or 
intended for her. In reviewing statements or the discourse 
carried on with the other trainees, Marian came to realize 
that she had been supersensitive and had actually been 
seeking and expecting criticism and blame for herself in 
all that others said or did. In fact she was paranoid. 

It was a difficult reversal when she tried to accept all 
that others said or did as helpful to herself, and that in 
no instance was anything critical directed to her. She 
found that she had enlarged and misinterpreted many 
statements. Her habits of receiving blame and expecting 
criticism were difficult to break but she did not conquer 
them in time. She was greatly relieved by the better 
feelings she now had. She changed from being miserable to 
being happy and contented. She came to realize that her 
former attitudes and habits were emotionally immature, and 
that she was gradually becoming mature. As she progressed 
she found other emotional areas in which she could improve.