Are you your own worst critic?

Davey Do · May 10, 2012

Do others also feel like they could be a lot better?

Your post, Nurse Joey, speaks volumes.

Socrates is reputed for saying something like the unexamined life isn't worth living. We could transfer this concept into Nursing and say "The Un Scrupulous Nurse needs to be held in Question."

As Caregivers, we need to constantly evaluate and critique our Approaches and Skills, if we desire to progress in Our Profession. Input from Others is very important, but I sense that Nurses like you are your Own Best Judge. It seems that you have no trouble accepting compliments frm Others, yet you don't relay on Others for Feelings of Gratifaction

Gratifaction needs to come from within. External Gratifaction is merely a Quick Fix that dissolves rapidly.

I've play A Little Game times with Others over the years. We ask, "If you or your Loved One were a Patient, what Nurse would you want to take care of you?" Or: "Would you want a Nurse like you to take care of one of your Loved Ones?"

Chances are, Nurse Joey, you would probaly prefer a Nurse just like yourself to take care of you or one of your Loved Ones. And I think it's because you are capable Nurse who has Good Insight with a Handle on your Priorities.

The best to you.

Dave

Aurora77 · May 10, 2012

Without a doubt, I'm my own worst critic. I've been a nurse for a year now. I feel like I'm the way you describe--competent, knowledgeable (at least as much as new nurse can be), do well with my patients. I've also had enough really sick patients to be calm under pressure. But, the more I feel like I'm a good nurse, the more I feel like I'm not. There's just wo much to know and I'm definitely not up with my veteran nurses. I hope my insecurity makes me a better nurse. I think it helps to know your teammates have your back. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be the good, but bad nurse I am. :)

allnurses Guide · May 10, 2012

Nothing to add - Davey's post is full of wisdom. The answer to the question is yes, I am my own worst critic and still sometimes have the doubts you describe. I think the trick is to tame those thoughts, but not to banish them altogether. For all the painful moments I've had worrying, I wouldn't trade them for I believe in the end the process has made me a safer nurse.

Now learn to accept those compliments because they are just as real! :)

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · May 10, 2012

I am definitely my own worst critic and I have extremely high standards for myself. Going from psych to medical acute care is like beign a new grad......give yourself a break!!!!!!

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · May 10, 2012

Absolutely! I am my own worst enemy. I am constantly critiquing myself, thinking what I did well, what I could have done better on, things I caught, etc. I'm not as bad now but I still do it! Give yourself a break, OP!

classicdame, MSN, EdD · May 10, 2012

I have worked long enough to realize that most nurses are critical, which makes them good nurses in many ways. And I am old enough to know that you cannot change all your "faults", but can learn to use them to your advantage. So, I recommend when you critique yourself, find a positive note. For instance, you might have gotten the medication 10 minutes late to the patient, but you got the medication to the patient and you spent that 10 minutes doing another important task. Criticism and beating up on yourself are two different things.

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · May 10, 2012

I actually think my mother is my worst critic, but I run a close second Perfection is not achievable by us mere mortals, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't strive to be as close to it as possible!

buytheshoes11, MSN, RN · May 10, 2012

Yes, I am definitely my own worst critic. I always have been and probably always will be. As hard as it may be though, it is important to cut yourself some slack! I have to tell myself this every day and it does work.

leslie :-D · May 10, 2012

i am my own worst enemy AND my own best friend.

just *know and embrace thyself*.

acknowledging your weaknesses and working on them...

while also acknowledging your strengths and appreciating them.

you sound like you're doing just fine.

bravo.

leslie

RNperdiem, RN · May 10, 2012

Hey, you can hide things from your co-workers, but you can't hide from yourself.

A healthy concience will keep your nursing practice something you can live with.

I am not an especially self-critical person, but that ability to be honest with myself helps me be a better nurse.

Mirkuzz · May 11, 2012

Joey, we all went through what you're going through. The only difference is your co-workers are awesome -- there is a saying "nurses eat their young" because some nurses quickly forget they were once where the new nurses are! Cheers!!!