Balancing my high standards and confidence with compassion in clinical (peers)

[Okey Foley, BSN, RN]

I am in my 3rd semester of my ADN. Last week I had my "team leader" experience where we work with our five peers and make sure charting is done, are available to help, coordinate with the instructor, nurses, and my peers. I used to really struggle with confidence and was so shy and self-deprecating that I could never speak up. Now I have been in therapy since September, got out of an abusive relationship, my dad who'd been sick for a very long time passed away -- and I've been finding my voice. I'm a very eager and positive person, I truly find the joy in anything. I got feedback and it reinforced what I was thinking, that now I'm struggling with the opposite end of the spectrum, with being overbearing and nitpicky. I do not mean to be, I'm just 1) so enthusiastic that sometimes it's very hard for me to put on the brakes and 2) go by my checklists to ensure things are done, and if they are missing (ex. all the charting), I let my peers know. I can't figure out where the line is, does anyone have suggestions?

[Vicki17, BSN]

I can only speak for myself and hope I don't offend. I think a lot of this comes from age and experience. I used to be super annoyed when people made small mistakes or didn't do it the way I wanted. I think I've matured a lot and you realize that people aren't trying to be "bad" or that they don't care. Everyone is different and has different learning curves, etc. Learn to appreciate people are trying, give help where you see someone is having a problem, never assume you know why they made a mistake. For example, charting not done, don't go at it like "hey, I need you to chart!" and leave it at that, ask if they are running into something that is preventing them. Maybe they had a patient in distress upon doing their assessment and couldn't get to the documentation yet. Maybe they really need help in time management but you don't know. Use your therapeutic communication with your team as well as patients. That being said, yes some people will take advantage of people with good natures or just mess up or whatever, but I really suggest not assuming that or that is what you will get from them. Allow people to try and do their job, it won't always be the same as you but does it get the same result?

Again, a lot of this comes from experience. But if you are talking about students, then you are all in the same boat right now and learning. So work together.