Anxiety when answering questions

[spectral]

I'm in my 4th semester and getting ready to graduate. I'm just wondering if others ever have a problem with what I like to call "on the spot anxiety"? I feel like I know information and I know what I'm doing with patients right up until the nurse or clinical instructor asks me a question...I go blank and kind of feel stupid or think I look like I don't know my stuff. I really do know the information (I do great on tests and written work) but when on the spot I feel there is a disconnect between my brain and mouth until they walk away. I've always had anxiety when put on the spot (I actually have social anxiety that I have worked to overcome in nursing school) and I don't want this to effect how I come across to others. Does anyone have any tips on how not to freeze up when asked a question?

[kelsiedana]

Just relax, take a deep breath and remind yourself that you know this. Because you do. You're letting your head and anxiety get the best of you. Don't- over come it by telling yourself you can do it. Once you do it more and more you'll eventually free yourself of being afraid! Be confident! It will take you a long way!

Best to you!!!

[SubSippi]

First, remember that just about everyone on the planet feels anxious when they're put on the spot. You feel that way because it's a normal human reaction, not because there's something wrong with you.

Second, don't feel like you have to blurt something out immediately, there's nothing wrong with taking a second or two to consider your response. Also, no nurse or clinical instructor expects you to know everything. Sometimes, they ask questions as a teaching tool. So don't freak out, they're just trying to help you learn. They'll ask a question instead of just telling you information because it's a more effective way to get someone to think critically. I know sometimes when someone asks a question, it can sound more like they're accusing you of not knowing the answer than trying to help. But only a huge jerk would do that.

I have always had the opposite problem...when someone puts me on the spot, I don't freeze up, I just start babbling, which can be soooo much worse in some ways (haha). I have managed to quell this somewhat by giving myself a sec to think, and not freaking out when I don't know something off the top of my head. It takes practice.

And if you don't know something, it isn't a big deal. You're a student! You'd never learn anything if you were put in situations where you automatically knew all the answers.

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

There are techniques that can buy you time to fix that brain vaporlock. One of the best is to repeat the question, this also allows you to be sure you understood it correctly. You can also stall with "well, let's see...".

If you find that you go blank often, then I would suggest getting in the habit of repeating the question. That way it becomes an automatic response, what I like to call mental muscle memory.

In my 1st career, I gave hundreds of presentations to audiences ranging from 1 to >1,000. At some point, everyone has that go blank moment, just need a trick or 2 to keep going.

Good luck.