Getting past the confidence hump...

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This is going to sound trivial, but I just can't seem to get over this. I am not a very confident person and now it is affecting me in clinicals. I am competent and book smart, but when it comes to practical nursing care, I seem to have a difficult time carrying it out. I get flustered. I let things get to me. I am a very inwards person. Meaning I think about everything little thing and over analyze it.

Sometimes I wonder if this isn't the field for me because I can't seem to help myself, so how am I going to help anyone else? I am a nice person, so I'm told, but I care too much about what everyone else thinks.

My clinical instructor is starting to notice this in me too:crying2:. Confidence is a big part of nursing school. It's one of the five "C's".

To give you a little insight on how I react in clinical, I will give you a scenario that actually happened. Please telll me how you would've responded.

There is this other nursing student in my clinical who seems to be the "teachers pet". She gets all the hard patients, snitches on everyone, and a few times have tried to act like she is in charge or ahead of me. She had the nerve to tell me "when you are done finishing up with your patient, you can go into the meeting room". My mind was telling me to say "you are not the instructor, I know what I can do, but I am not finished yet"...In stead, I said "oh, OK...."....:banghead:

How would you've reacted if another nursing student was trying to act superior or tell you what to do? i can accept her trying to help me, but that is not how she comes accross. She comes accross as being very stuck up.

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you know, i was JUST thinking today how i am the same way. this is my first semester in nursing school, second time around. i failed last fall and i'm thinking my biggest problem is that i'm shy and not completely confident with things. if you are like me, then it is part of your personality and its hard to overcome. i learn everyday how to become more comfortable and confident in situations. that student who tried to act superior to you was just probably trying to help but it comes off as obnoxious. part of nursing school is also learning to be assertive, without being aggressive. next time if she says that just say something like, "thanks for letting me know, but i am not finished with my patient." just tell her how you feel without being mean (i know, it sounds SO much easier than it really is lol). if i were you in that situation, i honestly probably would've said the same thing you did...("oh,ok"). i'm not confrontational AT all so i have a hard time telling people to back off.

all in all, its just a part of nursing school. i'm sure you're in the right profession. i know quite a few people that made it all the way through and are now nurses and they were never outgoing or completely confident. it all comes in time.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
how would you've reacted if another nursing student was trying to act superior or tell you what to do?

i would not react at all, in fact i would treat her as a fly on the wall and ignore her.

you are there to follow direction from your ci, not her.

best to you-

diane

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Specializes in Critical Care.
How would you've reacted if another nursing student was trying to act superior or tell you what to do? i can accept her trying to help me, but that is not how she comes accross. She comes accross as being very stuck up.

Nadra: There is one in every class (my class seems to have several!) I came home one day crying because of the "mean girl."

Try to not let her bother you. If she tries to help you (or as in my case, puts you down & tells you what you are doing wrong...) just tell her "Thanks for the advice" and do your best to ignore her. My irritation decreased dramatically when I decided to start standing up for myself & started questioning the things that she was saying. "Are you sure about that? I thought that it was like this..." (She stopped correcting me so much, when she realized that I actually did know what I was doing - I just wasn't that confident.) Maybe even come up with a sarcastic response, "Didn't you start nursing school the same day I did?"

Some people find it easier to deal with their own flaws by putting people down.

Just remember: You are in nursing school for you, not for anyone else.

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I read your post last night and was thinking on it until now...the 'little miss know it all' ignore her. you are there to learn and do your "job."

As for confidence start to give yourself affirmations throughout the day. As you are arriving to your clinical site remind yourself mistakes are part of learning in being a new nurse. Remember you are human and are aloud to have feelings don't run from them but deal with them so you can start each day fresh. Most patients are going to be ok with you learning and taking your time in doing it right (with reason.) Don't give up on yourself in any aspect. No matter what career choice you make you will deal with a 'know it all' so just excuse this as a character fault and move on. BIG HUGS

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Nadra419,

Please don't begin to think of yourself as defective just because you are not as assertive as others. There are all sorts of personality types. Some people are naturally dominant - that's just how we are. Others are more reticent and need to carefully consider everything before taking action. One is not better than the other, but they may be more suited for different clinical environments. That's why nursing is so great - something for everyone.

Have you considered doing any sort of self-exploration of your own personality drivers in order to get a better handle on actions to take or techniques to use? A resource that I can personally recommend is "Now Discover Your Strengths" www.strengthsfinder.com. The self-assessment is great, not only for yourself, but as a way to help you understand what makes others tick - even your instructors.

Best of Luck! Don't worry, the 'dominant' folks will probably all race to their natural habitats (ICU and ED) as fast as they can after graduation - where they will have to confront some really scary "alpha nurses" - and I have no doubt that you'll find your own perfect niche as well.

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I'm with the rest of the ppl on here that say that there is nothing wrong with you. I'm just the same and I'm sure there are nurses like that too. We may not have that confidence now, but after working a few years we will and we'll be the best! Don't listen to them and keep your chin up! There is always hope! :specs:

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