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Discussion

Confidence and Assertiveness? Can I order that on Amazon? A terrible day.

So this is my last semester for the LPN program and we have Med Surg clinicals but we rotate out for Peds at clinics around the area. Well today was my first rotation and I blew it so bad..I cried my whole lunch hour and cried on the way home.

I'm a quiet reserved person and a bundle full of nerves. I have horrible anxiety. So new environments and all by myself is not my forte. So the first day, I actually thought I did ok but I knew I was having problems with the weight and height scale...I haven't used those since I we had skills check for first semester which was like Aug or Sept 2015. It's not hard but me a bundle of nerves and lack of confidence....my mind goes blank or I just think I'm doing it wrong. I can't for the life of me hear when doing the kid's blood pressures (I hear just fine on adults). 2nd day the RN pull my aside and telling me...I need to get with the program it's the 2nd day and I should be able to do this on my own without asking. I kept asking what room to put them in...because I thought I was suppose to and supposedly I was suppose to put them in an empty room, had trouble with the baby scale, and so much other crap that I should know how do and do know how but....anxiety. So the worst thing to happen....the RN called my instructor. So I'm getting a antidote....it's probably a big one.

Any who, my instructor came up there and talked to me. How I have to get confidence and be more independent. Nursing you have to assertive. I'm going to fail nursing school because I can't seem to tackle the confidence and assertiveness. I am fine (still need improvement) at med surg clinicals but I have 3 other clinic sites to go this semester. I mean I hear "Fake it until you make it" but my body's fight or flight is in overdrive....I can't do it...because I get nervous, shake, and my brain is like constantly going...negative negative.

I am going to call my HCP tomorrow and get an appointment to see if they can prescribe me something. But will it even work? I've been this way my whole life and I don't want to be this way anymore...and I just have a hard time believing a pill will help it...I'm going to be in my head "Is this pill working? It's not going to work...." ha. Yeah I know it takes 2 to 4 weeks for it start helping...but who knows.

Thanks for letting me vent. Oh and I don't have no hard feelings for that RN or my instructor...maybe I'll thank her one day and become a better student and eventually a good nurse...it's hard to see that right now but have to some hope.

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    There is no chemical that can make you more confident - I strongly advise you not to go the pharmaceutical route.

    Confidence has to come first because you cannot be assertive unless you are sure about what you're doing. Confidence comes with experience.... so create some experience for yourself by practicing. Take advantage of your program's skills lab to practice procedures & work with equipment. "Borrow" someone's baby to practice infant measurements. Heck, when I was at that point in my training, I practiced all sorts of things on my hubs and kids.

    Keep practicing until you feel comfortable. You could even set up some video to be able to "see" yourself interacting with your pretend patient. You can do this.

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    First thing's first, BREATHE

    I know everything seems overwhelming now, but things are rarely as bad as they seem. If you know you're roatation sights in advance I would consider brushing up on some skills you haven't used in awhile before you go. For example when going to the peds rotation I would maybe watch some YouTube videos on using the baby scales and other types of scales and watch a video on tips for getting adolescent blood pressure.

    These are just tips that maybe can help you feel more relaxed and confident when going into a new environment. I know for me personally I always feel better when I am prepared going into a new environment and although I am not a confident person I can at least not look nervous and like a deer in headlights.

    Good Luck, you got this!

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    Heck, when I was at that point in my training, I practiced all sorts of things on my hubs and kids.

    This made me chuckle. I was practicing on my kids this weekend. I was amazed at how off I was on guessing where the lower lobes of the lungs were on my 8-year -old.

    OP- I actually wouldn't advise strongly against pharmaceuticals if we are talking about a daily SSRI or similar to help with anxiety. They can be life-changing for some people. There is a period of about a week where many experience side effects and adjustments so if you do decide to start then I would take a week where you don't have clinical or any big exams. Or at least for the first few days.

    Also- there is therapy, exercise, meditation. Making sure you are sleeping enough hours, eating healthily and taking care of yourself is extremely important. Other than that just practice as much as you can and realize it is not the end of the world if you can't work a scale accurately the second time. You got this.

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    • Author

    Thanks for the encouraging comments. I know there is no chemical that will make me confident. But chemically in my brain, I believe is imbalanced....anxiety is not something new for me...it's just nursing school has forced to face it and it's getting overwhelming. I am still thinking about yesterday and I am still tense...and wanting to cry about how stupid I made myself look.

    It's like I get nervous, panic, and I can't think logically in these situations. I've took pharmacology and I know the S/E and part of the reason I have put off trying to resort to being prescribe something. I've went and saw a therapist and talked about meditation and what not...but I can't focus enough to do it.I haven't called my GP yet and will Monday...but I have to gather a lump of courage just to make an appointment.

    I know I need sleep but with the anxiety I can't sleep and in the mornings before clinicals I can barely eat because nerves. Most people gain weight in nursing school, I lose weight. It sucks but I'm not quitting. Just have to work on my mental health.

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