How do I get over being so shy?

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Hi! I applied last month for RACC's ADN Fall 2014 program and am freaking out! Not only am I anxious about possibly not getting accepted but also am terrified that I'm too shy to be a nurse. Does anyone else struggle with this? I work at a restaurant and have so much confidence when I'm talking to customers but feel panicky when I think about having patients... The idea of touching a stranger scares me.. Is that a red flag or something that I'll get used to? Basically, I'm hoping that I'm not alone and eventually I'll have the same confidence that I do at my current job. Somebody give me some hope!

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I'm shy and I'm a nursing student. I still don't have confidence and it's scary being in a new environment. I feel like after starting a new job everyone is scared but after awhile you get use to things and start becoming comfortable. I don't think being scared of touching is a red flag that's something u can also get use to. I think in some situations touch becomes natural like when someone is suffering or dying. If you confident at your restaurant talking to strangers then I'm sure you'll do fine. You're not the only one anxious and nervous when trying to enter the program! Good luck

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

If you can wait tables and talk to customers, you can talk to patients.

My husband tells me that "Being shy is the ultimate form of selfishness. It means you're thinking more about yourself than you are about your patients." I struggled with being shy for years, but I figured out that it's really not about me. It's about the patients. If I think about THEM, I'm not so shy.

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Shyness is just a personality trait. It's not a bad thing. To help yourself you might get a Myers-Briggs personality book (one of the most famous is "Type Talk") and learn about yourself and how you can play to your strengths.

You will be just fine in nursing school.

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Being shy is so ok. You'll get over it. I volunteer at a hospital and sure enough, my first months were hell. I get really awkward with patients! Just remember, you will work as a nurse to offer kindness. The least you can expect is kindness from your patients. I got over my worry of being shy by just helping the patient. If someone recognizes your effort to reach out to them and disregard being shy, you will feel more relaxed.

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