How to build up confidence?

[bebot_19]

This is my first year working as a licensed RN. My current position isn't my ideal job. But it will garner me some experience, since it has been hard finding a job. My confidence level isn't where I would like it to be. I feel like I don't know anything, despite all the schooling & "training". It has also been a LONG road for me to get to where I am today. And that process I think has shaken my confidence level as well.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can build my confidence level? And also how to create opportunities for myself?

Thanks in advance.

[minnymi]

whoops....i thought i quoted "nurse on a motorcycle" response. that's why i said "this!" at the top of my post.

lol.....apparently i need more practice replying to posts!

[bebot_19]

Thanks minnymi. I like your approach of asking the nurse if they were comfortable letting you do things or observe. I will try that approach. Your comment was very helpful.

[Penny 7]

Thank you everyone! These posts are really helpful. I've learned to remind myself that perfection is not the goal. This has been hard because I am usually very hard on myself in all aspects of my life. The "real" world does seem so different than my clinical experience in school and I do feel like my first few months at my new job have been harder than I imagined. It is a learning process and it seems that each week gets easier in some way.