Are you shy.....

[Rivs]

.......if so, then how do you defeat this and participate in a class/clinical setting. I am the quiet type, except for when I feel an importance to be heard. I have always had this impression that it is better to listen to others than to speak too much. I have also found this to be a problem because some people take your quietness and kindness for weakness. You can learn so much about an individual by what comes out of their mouth, and perhaps I am worried about what people will think of me if I speak too much, or say the wrong thing. At times, I wonder if I have a mild form of anxiety. On occassion when I know I have to introduce myself to someone, or a group of people, I can feel my heart begin pounding and I even stutter my first name at times...eventhough I don't have a stuttering problem....talk about embarrassing.....Once I get into the class and begin talking with some of the students, I seem to lose some of the shyness. I am starting clinicals in August and afraid that my shyness will be a problem. From the classes that I have taken so far, some of the women have been down right mean to the instructor and other female classmates.....I'll tell ya something....some women can be very scary....lol !!!!

[Carolanne]

I have always been calm and rather reserved. However, in the last couple of years, my body has been undergoing a lot of perimenopausal changes and I was experiencing a lot of problems with red hot flushing and as you described, even feeling uncomfortable speaking with someone in a normal conversation. I also had the heart palpitations and my speech seemed to be affected also. I felt unconfident and even avoided social situations because I didn't want to draw attention to myself. Needless to say at nursing clinicals, the stress was on to begin with, and I did have a couple of incidents when I turned all different colors while talking with patients or even doing simple vital signs. They looked at me like maybe I should be laying in the bed. I knew there was something that was not right, so I went to my doctor and he put me on Zoloft to ease the anxiety and panic feelings. I've been on it since last July and I feel WONDERFUL. I don't turn red as a beet anymore and I don't have the feelings of panic and impending doom. I feel in control of myself again and confident when I need to be. I would suggest to you that you continue to monitor your signs and symptoms, recognize the triggers, and if it's really interfering with your quality of life, it doesn't have to. Speak to your doctor about it. There are many very effective and safe medications available which can help you feel better and regain your confidence again. In my case, I'm positive it's hormone related, but some people do develop general anxiety. I wish you the best!

[manna, BSN, RN]

I've always said that I'm painfully shy. I warm up to people once I get to know them, but I'm socially awkward in a room full of strangers. I figure I have to get over it eventually, so jumping into nursing school feet first ought to be as much of a learning experience as anything. :)

I went to see an NP here in town, who put meds on some meds (for anxiety/depression) that I have yet to start taking because I'm not really quite ready to force wean my comfort nursing toddler.

[angelac1978]

I am painfully shy when it comes to new situations. I usually just handle it by acting more confident than I actually feel. It works most of the time. My family moved A LOT when I was in school so I got pretty good at new classes and schools. The one thing that still makes me weak in the knees is to have to speak in front of a group, even if it is a group that I have been with all semester!

A

[Altra, BSN, RN]

Even if being extroverted doesn't come naturally, with some time, you'll find your "game face" -- the demeanor you present to patients. I'm not saying it's a false one, just the one you're comfortable presenting to "The Public." Genuine interest and compassion always shine through.

[Truly_Blessed]

Well, you sound like me. I talked to my Dr. about it and he said sounds like I was having some anxiety attacks. He gave me a prescription and sent me on my way. It did help in regards to the sweaty palms, poundin heart, and the feeling that the room is closing in on me and I can't breathe. The shyness didn't go away....I believe that is something a person has to work very hard at. I am so shy that people percieve me as being stuck up because I hardly talk. Now, I just try to jump in and introduce myself in a new situation so people don't have the chance to think that. Good luck to ya. It's hard work trying to overcome shyness, but it can be done.:)

[lisamc1RN, LPN]

I don't have a shy bone in my body! :chuckle My husband has had to overcome it, though. Can you believe that he chose to become a pastor? He worked on it and now is much more comfortable, although he still is not a natural at striking up conversations. With practice, it gets easier. :)

[lilbiskit78]

If you are shy, you might find that nursing school is just the thing to help you deal with it! I was actually pretty shy, was much more so when I was younger, until I started in clinicals. You do not have a choice but to talk to your patients, even though they are pretty much strangers. Now I am sometimes shocked at myself, just walking through the store I will talk to someone that I don't know. Has helped me come out of my shell alot!

[Rivs]

thanks for all the replies so far.....I find them very interesting and will use some of the ideas in the future.....

[LBaker517]

I'm really shy. People always come up to me and ask me what's wrong. I also ge extremely anxious around people especially when it's new people I'm talking to.

But don't worry.

the greater the number of patients you talk to and take care of, the easier it is to not be as anxious. I SWEAR!!!

good luck!

[BSNgrad2004]

im shy too. all my clinical instructors have mentioned it in my final evaluations. it makes me feel weird because thats just how i am. i talk when it is necessary. i guess my suggestion to u is, add your input when it comes to group discussions , such as post conference after clinicals. you will start meeting more people when clinicals start, and perhaps become good friends with them. don't worry too much about it. my teachers think im very quiet and shy, but they don't know that once i enter the patients room and strike up the conversation, everything is straight.