How to improve my Confidence level?

[NICU_nurse2b]

I am a first year second semester nursing student. Were are almost half way through our second semester. My confidence level was poor at the beginning of the semester. I thought with the more experience I got in clinical, my confidence level would improve. It has not. It seems to get a little worse everyday. If I do not improve on this right away it will do me in. I am psyching myself out and my work is suffering. How do I improve this? Can I improve this? I keep thinking I will not make it through school and let everyone down that is counting on me. (My husband and children) I feel like I am not learning the same stuff everyone else is. Everyone else seems to have it all together and I feel totally stupid.

Any suggestions on how to improve my self-confidence would be greatly appreciated.

[WDWpixieRN, RN]

I felt the same way through most of first semester (I just started second)....I felt like EVERYONE was so much more together than I...funny thing is, as I talked to others and read through these boards, I found out I was not the minority, but in the majority....I don't think there's too many of us who felt confident that first semester....and many who don't through the following semesters...I don't know how you can when there's so much we DON'T know...I had a clinical instructor who always made me feel like I should know ALL kinds of stuff....now I'm finding out that some it's things we won't learn until 4th semester!!

I think I read on here that you "fake it until you make it" -- or give that impression.....however, I think you need to know you're not going to hurt anyone in the meantime....maybe others will have better words of advice, but unless you're so far behind your fellow students, I have a funny feeling that you're not alone....ask around your classmates, too!!

[marilynmom, LPN, NP]

Hmm you sound normal to me! There is a LOT to learn in nursing isn't there? It should be kinda overwhelming I think since it is all new to you, and it can be scarey at times.

My first clinical I was scared to death, I was so scared I didn't even want to go into a patients room! Now, after Med/Surg, Psych, and finishing up OB...I feel far more confident but still quite stupid....LOL. Nah, I'm learning more and more and am able to do a lot more, I'm starting to think like a nurse and my assessment skills and confidence are growing by the day...your will too.

I think it is important to "fake it till you make it". I always go into a patients room and act confident because they are looking to me to be confident and know what I am doing (even if I don't). You CAN do this. The confidence will come with time.