How much "faking" should a nursing student do?

Trust in Jesus, RN · Dec 2, 2017

Instructors want their students to be confident, especially in front of patients. However, if you are unsure of a med you're giving or a skill you're doing always clarify with your instructor or nurse about it. People's lives are in our hands! You don't want to pretend you know what you're doing when you don't. That's going to lead to a mistake and could hurt/kill a patient.

At the same time, if you act nervous in front of a patient they are going to be way more scared about the procedure. When you know what you are doing, but you are feeling nervous - this is when you can fake it. Sometimes I'll clarify in front of the patient by confidently asking my instructor something like, "We give this injection by pinching the skin, right?" This verifies that I'm doing it correctly and also shows the patient that I care about their safety. But this will backfire if you ask and the method you state is incorrect, so make sure you know your skills. :) If you completely forget how to do something ask your instructor about it before you go into the patient's room.

RNperdiem, RN · Dec 2, 2017

I would suggest change the statement about not showing weakness into not pointing out or advertising your weakness. This is more common than you think. Do not put yourself down in front of others.

Humility, a calm demeanor and some self-respect will take you where you need to go.

Guest123456788, MSN, RN · Dec 3, 2017

You should never NEVER fake in front of your clinical instructor- you need to be up front with them about what you know and don't know BEFORE you go into the patient's room. The only thing you should be faking is your confidence in front of the patient if you are feeling nervous, but you should never try to do something if you have no idea what you're doing.

Castiela · Dec 3, 2017

Fake your confidence while performing tasks/ interacting with others but never fake your knowledge or pretend you know something of you don't

rkitty198, BSN, RN · Dec 8, 2017

What this has meant to me in my 11 years as a nurse is putting on your nursing hat.

I change myself a little with every patient I encounter, with every situation.

If a patient is grieving, I am not going to go in a room all amped excited ready to start an IV, calling my instructor so 10 other students can watch. I will be quiet, talk outside of the room.

Your instructor wants to know that you can provide empathy to the situation. It would go a long way to say, "miss so and so just received a tough diagnosis so I want to clarify the procedure outside of the room first"

Or say a patient who is terrified of their hospital stay, do you think they want to hear "omg there is air in the line!" Which is what a lot of nursing students do in front of the patients, which breaks trust and rapport.

The clinical instructor knows your skills are lacking, let's be real here! So over confidence is, well overconfidence without the skills to back it up.

What they are looking for is a sensitivity to each patient situation, how you interact and respond to it, how you learn said skill within the entirety of the patient care sitatuation that will say the most about you.

By taking a few minutes to put yourself in the patients shoes, think how they might feel, this will help you to choose the right nurses hat to wear and help you to "fake" it.

I personally like to call it "acting" I know that sounds harsh but let's face it it's an emotionally vulnerable spot to be in.

babychickens · Dec 8, 2017

Thank you all, for such great feedback. I feel much more confident in how I have been conducting myself. I've also heard some great suggestions on how to ask questions when I'm unsure. For what it's worth, I had a better clinical this week, in that I FELT better. I was able to give myself a break, slow down MENTALLY, focus on good practice, and just embrace the opportunity to practice with helpful instructors.