I think it's truly amusing how someone who hasn't started medical school yet is telling a rising M4 student what to do. It's easy for an attending to be stronger. They've been through so much that they've learned either how to detach themselves, or they're mostly desensitized. So an attending telling you not to cry is like telling you not to dry heave when pus from an anal abscess squirts in your face. There are some reactions that are visceral and that can't, and shouldn't, be held back. Come talk to me when you've had more experience as a REAL medical provider. Volunteering in the ER is a joke compared to what you experience as a medical student.
And most importantly, there's nothing wrong with people seeing you cry. It shows you're human. It shows that you're still affected by human tragedy. It shows a patient is more than a case that you need to treat and get on his way. But, I'm sure you'll learn that when you have more experience.
Lastly, I encourage you to go the "Student Doctor Forum" and read the posts under Emergency Medicine. You will read tons of stories by both medical students, and ER attendings where showing emotion is something that is NOT looked down upon. After you read those stories, tell me what you think.
