Any Advice?

[AddictedToCoffee4657]

I'm a nursing student & I have to do at least 3 presentations this semester, one is a group project. I'm usually good with collecting and gathering research and info for the presentation but when it comes to speaking to the class, I totally freeze. I found that in the past ( in HS and other college classes) I studder ALOT, talk really fast (without realizing at first) and mutter my words. I try to tell myself to calm down and not be nervous and to pretend like I'm presenting the info to one person to help ease my anxiety. However that doesn't work. I get up there with my heart beating out of my chest, sweaty palms, and if I get a negative response from the audience I find myself tearing up sometimes. I'm usually good with criticism in general, but for some reason when it's coming from an entire class or audience at once....it bothers me. Any advice on what I can do to help ease my anxiety or be a better public speaker?

[paisling]

Practice, practice, practice! Record yourself (with a phone or laptop) and play it back, become aware of your personal tics (e.g. playing with your hair). Note how slow or fast your speak. I talk fast and have noticed that if I feel like I am speaking sloooow i am probably speaking at a good speed for a presentation :)

Remember that feedback/criticism is an opportunity to grow. I had a supervisor tell me, "feedback is a gift." You can learn a lot that you didn't notice yourself by listening to others feedback.

[HarleyGrandma, RN, EMT-B]

To be able to grow you have to experience some growing pains, have to get out of your comfort zone :-)

Great advice above, practice, record yourself, make friends/family listen to you. Realize that life skills always feel awkward at first, but with time they can become easier. You'll feel so accomplished too.

Good luck!

[xxstarrynitesxx]

Like paisling and HarleyGrandma said, practice! Already knowing what you're going to say, when you're going to say it, and actually saying it all make a difference and helps you to build confidence. With the group project, know that you're not alone up there.

I love bringing water up with me (a bottle that is not plastic) and take a sip if my mouth dries out or if I need time to collect my thoughts. I am usually the person who everyone presents to as I pay attention to what they say and nod my head. Look for those familiar faces out in the audience. Some other tips could be to look at everyone's foreheads and, if you wear glasses or contacts, take them out so everyone is blurry. Bring them up with you of course so you can get back to your seat and do not do too much moving around, but my friend does this every time that she presents.

[Saraghawas]

I speak way to fast when I'm presenting something because I get nervous, I have to tell myself to calm down.

[hooliebug, BSN, RN]

Like you, I used to panic, stutter, and forget to breathe during presentations. Fortunately, you do so many presentations during nursing school that you start to become desensitized to the pressure it. I used to practice speaking in front of my spouse/family members/friends and that seemed to help; it allows you to work on pacing and recognizing when to breathe or take pauses. Public speaking is an inevitable part of nursing. You're going to have to address a patient and their entire family some day, so better to practice and get used to it now so you're a little less anxious later on. Good luck... it'll be okay. :)