Any tips for a shy, timid nursing student?

cracklingkraken, ASN, RN · Jan 16, 2016

I'm of a similar disposition. I'm quiet and not a chatter, but I tend to open up with people over time.

Make sure you communicate to your CI what's going on with your pt, and also let your nurse know. At least, even though you may be shy and timid, you are aware of your pt's current condition and are voicing any concerns to your nurse and CI. Good luck! It dods get easier.

Psychcns · Jan 16, 2016

Cognitive behavioral therapy. Maybe try a few sessions to learn some coping skills. Nursing will be stressful which may increase your anxiety.

HelloWish, ADN, BSN · Jan 16, 2016

Fake it until you make it! :-)

SouthernBelle85 · Jan 29, 2016

So, I did rounds in the OR and the head nurse in the department has to do our evaluation, and she wrote on mine, "Withdrawn, needs more interaction with patient and clients. Has a great attitude, though!" I barely even saw the head nurse, because she was busy, or course. I followed around the Pre Op, scrub nurse, tech, other nurse (not sure what her title was but was very helpful in telling me the different things). The only time I saw the head nurse with the clients, was in the surgical unit and of course the clients were under anesthesia. So it was hard to interact with them. Maybe, she talked to the other nurses first before evaluating me.

Because, I don't disagree with her. I know that's a huge thing I need to improve on and my instructor knows my personality as well and in post conference, I told her I barely saw the head nurse, but I still I don't disagree with her. That's something I need to improve on.

It may be the lack of sleep and being on my period (TMI lol) making me overly sensitive but the word "withdrawn" is what kind of hurt my feelings, like "Reserve" "quiet" "shy" wouldn't have stung...but withdrawn. That word is always used in very negative situations, like the mass murders are always describe as being "withdrawn". It's like a symptom of a mental illness, to me. Like I was curled up in a corner not interacting with anyone.

I was very interested in everything and did what I was told. I learned a lot. I did feel awkward, because sometimes I felt like, I was more in the way. Unfamiliar situations make me more self conscious. I asked questions to the other nurses about different things and I asked the head nurse if I could help clean in the O.R. after the surgeries and she said, "No, go help with recovery." So, I left and went there. Then we wheeled the patients back to their rooms and they did everything and then the nurse in there told me to go back in the operating room and see if they need help cleaning. So, I did and they said "no". It's like everyone was trying to get rid of me. lol. So, I went back and strip the beds in post opt.

But, I am shy and sometimes I just observe and don't notice that I'm being too quiet and people think I'm zoned out or not interested...when I'm observing every little thing.

Though, I guess I need to get over the word, "withdrawn" and take the constructive criticism. I need to improve on being more confident and get out of my head. Maybe be a bit more assertive....and get more sleep.

I thought about seeing if I could find a PRN CNA job. Do you think that would be beneficial? I know it would be hard for me to balance school and work but if I could get a few hours every once in a while, would be nice.

I'm sorry if this post doesn't make since, I feel like it's really random. Blame it on my lack of sleep. I may try, I think it's Quil Zzz...it's like night quil without the cold medicine, it's just for sleeping. I may get some this weekend and see if they work. Sometimes they do the opposite. My brain runs 100 mph at night and I can't get to sleep at a proper time! So clinicals at 6:30am is tough and plus, I'm not a morning person as it is...

augurey · Jan 30, 2016

I think a lot of it is forcing yourself out of your comfort zone.

I've been the same way my whole life. I couldn't even order my own meals at a restaurant until I was about 25!

I remember my very first clinical. Everyone was paired up with a classmate but me because of an odd number. The one who is shy and timid. I seriously questioned continuing. I wanted to cry the whole clinical. My classmates even asked me what was wrong when I entered post conference.

Each week I dreaded clinical because I didn't know how I was going to get through it. My CI pulled me aside my 3rd week, nicely, and said that I needed to have more confidence and that my nerves really were coming through which was making my patient nervous. Each week I had to work really hard on communicating with my patient, showing less nerves, etc. I still need improvement, but I made improvements on it each week. On my clinical final eval, the only "negative" thing was to be more confident. My CI said that I reminded her so much of her, and that it IS possible to overcome it. It may not change how you feel, but it's possible to get the confidence to succeed as a nurse.

I just had my first clinical rotation for this semester yesterday and started feeling the nerves again. I was timid for about half of the day, but when I found myself have a lot more direct patient care (as it was slower earlier in the clinical), I constantly reminded myself to not look nervous, and just try to be comfortable with the patient. Once I finally stopped caving to my nerves, everything started flowing better. Things started feeling more natural, and I felt like I did better with my patient. Going into clinical next week will be easier now because I'm finding things to be more comfortable. I loved what I was able to do for my patient, and I can't do those things if I'm being shy.

I find that the more I push myself during clinicals, as hard and scary as it feels in the moment, I'm better off for it and feel more comfortable the following week. It's a slow process, but I know I have it in me, and all I can do is keep going forward and not let being shy get in the way.

I really think it's been one of the hardest parts of nursing school, being forced out of my comfort zone all the time. I hate it because it's so uncomfortable and can feel hard (mentally/emotionally), but once I've been forced out of it and completed x, y, z, the feeling is amazing, and it tells me that I can do this. Being forced out of my comfort zone is slowly changing me, and I really like the person I'm starting to become. I love the confidence it's starting to give me.

It's a battle, but a worthwhile one. So, the best thing I can say is embrace it.

Honey Clover · Jan 30, 2016

I was one of the most quietest kid from middle school to the first four years of my college experience. People rarely heard me speak and I didn't have much initiative either. Plus I was shy and very reserved. What helped me was working at a social job and continually going out of my comfort zone. I worked as a sales associate at the mall for some time, then as a care manager/CNA, and now I'm in nursing school and have no problem volunteering to go first and doing things in front of the class with everyone watching. I suggest you getting a very flexible part time job that will moderately expose you to social situations. It'll be very difficult at first and you'll have lots of anxiety but over time, you'll get used to it. Learn to ask lots of questions and learn to approach others. If that's too much at first, then start small and just go up and talk to one person each day or every other day. Have no expectations but to just talk. I find that people love to talk about themselves and they open up more and make conversation when you continually ask them questions. Build some confidence in yourself and never take someone's words to heart much. Yeah, I was pretty sensitive to how others thought of me too but at the end of the day, you're not perfect. You have flaws and they have flaws too and that's okay! Self esteem and self acceptance is first step. BUT it's just figuring out ways to constantly improve upon yourself is what really matters. Sure, you can say I've always been this way and its hard to change. Or you can say, it's about time I should tackle this issue if I want to become a nurse who can easily speak to my coworkers, patients and their families someday.. Communication skills are an absolutely necessary since we are after all social beings. Trust me, you can do this. If someone like me who no one ever paid attention to back in grade school/first college years was able to overcome being in her shell, and now takes initiative in almost everything, and people actually pay more attention to me, I'm sure others can too. It just takes a certain drive and determination to do it.

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Jan 30, 2016

I'm an introvert at heart (INFJ), and tend to be shy and timid under stress. What I've done that has been extremely helpful is to do the following: review patient information as much as possible (but not let it be time consuming). Go in and introduce myself to the patient (and ID them), and then before any physical assessment, have a conversation... for medsurg... "what brought you into the hospital?" "how are you feeling now?" and just talk without taking any notes (other than mental-based). Then ask if it is ok to do an assessment, and while you do it (except for certain vitals), converse. In terms of your instructor, work out meaningful questions to ask throughout the clinical day. And if your facing those shy/timid moments, try to get your instructor alone for 1 to 5 minutes so it is more comfortable.

Always smile (even if it is just a game face), say thank you often (when appropriate).

umbdude, MSN, APRN · Jan 30, 2016

There are counselors or therapists who can provide assertive training. If you think you need more than that (e.g. social anxiety), use CBT alongside with assertive training.

In the mean time, if your instructor make that comment again, simply tell her "I know this is something I need to work on and I am working with a therapist to improve my ability to be more assertive. Please bear with me."

To show her that you are working on it. Make it your goal to speak in a group setting (e.g. post conference) at least once every clinical and in classes even if it's just a minor comment. When they're talking, nod and mumble "um um" and maintain close eye contact because that shows that you're engaged and not withdrawn.

Good luck to you!

DoeRN · Jan 30, 2016

I'm an introvert at heart (INFJ), and tend to be shy and timid under stress. What I've done that has been extremely helpful is to do the following: review patient information as much as possible (but not let it be time consuming). Go in and introduce myself to the patient (and ID them), and then before any physical assessment, have a conversation... for medsurg... "what brought you into the hospital?" "how are you feeling now?" and just talk without taking any notes (other than mental-based). Then ask if it is ok to do an assessment, and while you do it (except for certain vitals), converse. In terms of your instructor, work out meaningful questions to ask throughout the clinical day. And if your facing those shy/timid moments, try to get your instructor alone for 1 to 5 minutes so it is more comfortable.
Always smile (even if it is just a game face), say thank you often (when appropriate).

INTJ here!! I really don't like interacting with a bunch of people and I LOVE being left alone. Heck if I ever win the lottery I would become a recluse. I'm not shy and I am assertive but I don't like talking to people if I don't have too and nursing definitely takes me out of my comfort zone.

Of course I talk to my patients because I have too. There is one thing that I do and it's helped for the past 8 years of being a nurse. If the patient is alert and oriented I ask them a couple questions about themselves and I'll talk to them about how they responded for the rest of my shift. People love talking about themselves and it almost always put them at ease. I try to discuss 1 or 2 things about their disease process if I can or give them some type of literature about what's going on with them. Of course I go over meds and the plan for the day but I take this one extra step and it helps me because the patient is doing most of the talking and I'm listening and don't have to talk. Plus I met some interesting people in the process.

augurey · Jan 30, 2016

I want to add to that if there are volunteer opportunities, take them. We have a 2 hour volunteer experience coming up in the beginning of April where I'll have to talk to people A LOT. Besides that it'll give me practice with vital signs and some other things, it'll mostly give me more practice with communicating with others.

I think the more you do it and put yourself out there, the better off you'll be in the long run. Again, it's scary, but it's worth it if it gets you more comfortable. I'm a little nervous about the experience, but I'm also really excited about it. I almost didn't do it because of it, actually, but I knew it'd be good for me in many ways (plus having another chance at helping others). So if any opportunities come up and you have the time, take it.

SouthernBelle85 · Feb 19, 2016

Thank you for your wonderful tips and responses! Last week was the first time I actually had a PT because the 1st week we only got like 30 minutes with the PT because our instructor was teaching us about the charts and everything. Then the last two weeks I had been doing rotation where I observe a specialty. I have to say I think I rather be on floor than observing. I didn't have problems communicating with my PT, bless her heart she was lonely and did most of the talking. I think documenting is what getting me. Plus I'm still not great with Head to Toe. Still getting use to hearing the breath and bowel sounds. I think asking things like, "When was your last bowel movement, what color was it and what was the consistency" is something I got to get more comfortable with...lol. The only thing is for some odd reason my body likes to betray me and my instructor wanted us to do bloodsticks which is the first time I've done it and I couldn't stop shaking, the CNA let us practice on her and I practice on my instructor....I knew how to do it and I think a lot of it is my sugar goes down or something like at 10am which was causing me to shake because I want to stop shaking but it's involuntary...and today I got a write up on it with 2 pts deducted. She always waits a week or so after the incident to give out the warning or write ups. So, yeah that's not going to help with the anxiety but I'm going to try and trying to work on my diet to where I can stay full longer...it's hard to eat 5:00am and stay full till 12pm. I never find time to take a break for a snack....I guess I'll have to see if I can take my stuff in the break room so I can snack and still do my paper work.