Why Change????? from January 2008

Ya know, I've been pondering something the last couple of days. Do I really need to change me? One of my bosses seems to think so. Now, don't get me wrong, I really do respect her opinion, but then again, I respect me too.

Here's the deal. Yes, I am very loud at times. I do know when to control that. I don't take any shit off of anyone and everyone who knows me knows that. So, I guess that can be considered disrespectful, or is it? I am 29 years old. Up until the age of 23, I really did let people walk all over top of me. I hated high school because of things I had to put up with. Kids are just plain mean. Graduate, start hanging with the wrong crew, who were using me for my car. Get involved with a BOY who is a piece of crap and leaves me pregnant and broke. Ya know, but I rose above ALL of this. Began working my ass off, taking care of my child, met a wonderful man who was willing to step back and let me grow up a lil while he just loved me, and I began to find out who Dawn really is. Now, I have always been loud, obnoxious, etc., but now I do it to look out for myself and the people I call my true friends, or frieds. I hope that I am making sense with all of this and not rambling. But I do consider myself a person who will stick their neck out for you and bend over backwards for you and all I ask is for you to do the same for me. I deeply care, and I think that's my prob because I care too much.
But, enough with the rambling. My boss tells me that since I am a nurse now that I need to learn to calm down some, become a professional, and learn how to respect others. WHOAH!!! I do respect others, I am a professional, and I am calm at the workplace. What I do on my time is my business. Right? I have never had a complaint on me about my patient care or being irreverent with my patients. I haven't had a family complaint about how I care for their family member. So, why is it that since I have become a nurse that everyone wants to shit on Dawn and tell me what I need to do now that I am a nurse. What I do on my time is my business, again. But then again, I do know that my actions outside of the workplace can affect my job if someone sees something they find inappropriate. Maybe some of you can give me some advice on this. Does Dawn really need to change? It has taken me 6 years to really grow up and get to the point that I am happy with me. I am happy with the fact that I speak my mind, that I care deeply for others, and that I stand up for what's right. But, how is that wrong? Please tell me.