How to build my confidence and competence

[Favor2013]

I have been working in the ICU for 3yrs, I left nursing school and went straight to ICU. It started off rough, but as time went on, it started coming together. I have learnt and grown as a nurse since this 3yrs. The problem is, I still feel uncomfortable and incompetent at times, sometimes I feel like I got it, and other times, I feel like I don't. I feel like I lack self confidence.

There have been times I advocated for patients and it yielded good results. Doctors complimenting me for speaking up. But I feel like am still struggling with my critical thinking skills, not yet this competent ICU nurse who can handle pretty much any situation competently.

Please I really need some suggestions on what to do to build my confidence.

Has anyone had this feelings before? What did you do to grow? Thanks very much

[offlabel]

Read, read, read..... ask an attending for a recommendation of a medical textbook of critical care and read it.

[MYSTICOOKIEBEAR]

The one thing that you already have going for yourself is that you want to learn more, you want to better yourself, and you want to grow. The best way to do that is to ask the MDs lots of questions as to why they did the things that they did and then also your more experienced coworkers. If you want to get better with your vasopressors and mastery of your Adrenergic Agonists, I made a video that you may find useful, good luck! [video=youtube;hiI-8GV-kBk]