Did you ever doubt your nursing abilities/judgement?

JB2007, ASN, RN · Jan 25, 2009

Some people are able to show confidence on the outside, but inside they are one big quivering mass of fear. It takes time to build true confidence in ones abilities to do the many things that nurses must do. In the mean time it would not hurt to project confidence on the outside. Really who whats someone that is acting unsure of what they are doing while they are coming at you with a needle or heaven forbid their meds.

To build confidence ask a lot of questions and take every learning opportunity offered.

truern · Jan 25, 2009

I think it's when you DON'T doubt yourself and have questions that you're a dangerous nurse. Sounds like you'll be a great nurse, OP :)

Pat_Pat RN · Jan 25, 2009

No, it isn't normal, you should come out of school and be PERFECT!!

You will have excellent nursing judgment upon graduation, actually it is when you pass the NCLEX, they give you a little pill at the door, and it gives you "superb nursing skills". At least that is the way it was at my NCLEX site....

Now, if you don't know I was kidding, you may not last long in nursing....

Your nursing judgment, "feeling", sixth-sense or whatever you want to call it is something that you will build during your nursing career. No one comes out of school and *TA-DA* I'm Super Nurse. (Despite what some may say...)

These people that are so confident: Have they worked in healthcare before? I had, so I was more comfortable during clinicals that some other FINE students who hadn't had the clinical exposure I had.

Some of those who "seem so confident", might confidently kill someone because they don't ask a question!

Try to keep your head up at your first job. Don't act like a "whipped pup". You have to show confidence! Even if you have to say, "I don't know, let me go ask." Do it with confidence!

Just last week a nurse I work with, who graduated at the same time I did, did not get an IV, because she was being too timid. The patient was scared of needles and was on "high alert". The nurse hadn't started a bunch of IV's and showed it through her body language. With the first stick, the patient jumped, jerked her arm (with the INT still hanging in it) and yelled. She said, "I want HIM to start it." I did start the IV with no real problem, just above where the other nurse tried.

I told her, "Even if I've not done something, I still try to act confident about it. IF you act timid or scared, the patient will pick up on that."

missouriman · Jan 25, 2009

no matter how smart you are. you will need help from time to time. you have to have a supporting nursing staff, some eat the newbies. some take you under their wing.

I have been a nurse for 10 years in the ICU. I started in the ICU when I graduated. the learning curve was straight up.

so fear is good, but don't get so afraid that you can't think. (I fell back to my training, step a,,, step b...) it will kick in if you don't get scared. it is not you dieing. you are only there to provide AC LS. people die, that is the nature of life.

just some of my (rules).

don't ever give a drug that you don't know what it is, or what it is supposed to do. look it up.

find your policies and procedure manuals. look things up. learn them.

If you don't know how to do some thing, ask.

you patient is your responsibility. they are first, it is OK to pisss of doctors, don't take it personal. you have no idea of what they just dealt with.

in my 10 years I have seen good doctors and others that I have no idea how they became a doctor.

when it doubt, ask, when in trouble shout out.

When I step out and yell, I need help now, every one drops what they are doing if they can. and come running.

this still happens after 10 years.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jan 25, 2009

Bottom line is that it takes EXPERIENCE to exercise good judgement, and we have to be brave. To give a small example; I have been an LPN working in the Adult Primary Care clinic for two years. I learned quickly and mastered that clinic very well. I also did home care and med-surg per diem within my first two years of being a licensed nurse. Recently, I decided to volunteer to be cross-trained in other clinics, and this past week, I worked in the OB/GYN clinic. It was a whole new ball game. I had to remember the differences between answering questions for a pregnant person versus non-pregnant. I was literally pulling from the sky. In my previous experiences, I didn't have to refer to my drug book very often to have to counsel patients on the pregnancy catagory, but, now, I had to do it at least 5 times a day. Recall kick-counts, remember symptoms of PIH and pre-ecampsia. In spite of my experience, I felt like a fish out of water, but, rather than panic, I pulled on what I would do and say under any other situation, which was to use a bit of critical thinking, look up information and consult with more experienced nurses and physicians. I am not as afraid of new experiences as I was before, but just the same, there is a first time for everything. Now, it is true that LPNs function a bit differently that RNs, however, the point I am trying to say is that you have to be in it to win it. It IS scary...but, go in with prayer, keep your textbook at your bedside to review things at home, and as time goes on, confidence does build! You'll be fine...and I am not saying this just to make you feel good. You WILL succeed!

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2009

When you say 'gifted' what do you mean?

missouriman · Jan 25, 2009

When you say 'gifted' what do you mean?

uhh, did you read this,, what do you think..

don't be an eater.

she is good in school but is afraid of the real world of nursing.. that is a good thing.

don't be a eater.

Straydandelion · Jan 25, 2009

Nursing is an ongoing strive for excellence and constant learning experience not a profession that once you learn, you do perfectly after that. The only time you need to worry in my opinion is if you think you know all about it.

surggirl · Jan 25, 2009

Thanks for asking that question, because as I was stalking around here, I'm just getting ready to start school and I can't imagine knowing all this stuff. :bugeyes:

PeaceonearthRN · Jan 25, 2009

Surggirl,

You will know it, forget it , relearn it and the cycle continues. Once something important is in your reach and you have to know what to do, YOU WILL REMEMBER AND NEVER FORGET IT!

nursedudeforchrist · Jan 25, 2009

Thanks for all the repiles, everyone. I feel a little better, now. I was just feeling a bit overwhelmed.