I know I shouldn't let it get to me.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Mar 21, 2016

Read what you wrote again:

Fast forward to now. Seven months on the job, and my beliefs surrounding my quality of work have become significantly more positive. I have spent time outside of work reviewing literature and procedures, and I feel more confident. I go through most of the 12 hour shift feeling comfortable with the care that I am providing. My patients really like me, my manager has told me that the nursing staff has given positive feedback regarding my work.

You had a rough start. So what? You cannot look forward if you are always looking backward. Celebrate your growth. :)

missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2016

People are saying that you are a good nurse, even if they didn't think you would make it in the beginning. Your coworkers and patient population like you. Run with that. Think about those comments when you feel incompetent, because these statements are positive and indicative of a good nurse.

Every single day you are going to learn something that you didn't know before, and you are going to get better at this career. It sounds like you are doing great!

Make a list of the things you didn't know coming into the job. If it's on the list, then it's something you DO know now. Look at how far you've come in a few months. You've got this.

rnsrgr8t · Mar 21, 2016

Focus on the fact that you are in a good place NOW!!! That is the most important! Who cares if they did not think you were going to make it in the beginning. You yourself thought you got off to a rough/slow start. Be grateful that you work with a team that were willing and patient to allow you to grow (how many times do we here stories on here where people are NOT allowed to grow) AND they did not hold your initial performance against you! Sounds like you work with great people! Be thankful!

Editorial Team / Moderator · Mar 21, 2016

I have spent time outside of work reviewing literature and procedures, and I feel more confident.

I also want to commend you for that level of dedication right there. I have known people who were not exactly successful in a particular setting who just switched off the minute they left work and took zero personal responsibility for their own learning outside of the workplace. You took steps to improve, and it sounds like it had the intended result. Nice work!!

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 21, 2016

Would you really believe them if they told you that had been a superstar those first few weeks? You know that would be a lie -- and it wouldn't make you feel any better. Be proud that you recovered after a rocky start and use that to your advantage. Use this to help yourself in the future when things get a little rough. Remind yourself that you can learn and improve your performance by making a little extra effort. You did it before and you can do it again if you ever need to.

You should be happy that they are sufficiently comfortable with you to give you that straightforward, POSITIVE feedback.

Jensmom7, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2016

Fast forward to now. Seven months on the job, and my beliefs surrounding my quality of work have become significantly more positive. I have spent time outside of work reviewing literature and procedures, and I feel more confident. I go through most of the 12 hour shift feeling comfortable with the care that I am providing. My patients really like me, my manager has told me that the nursing staff has given positive feedback regarding my work. But the other day at the nurse station, a fellow RN told me that a lot of the staff believed that I wouldn't make it when I first started on the floor. She said that I seemed chronically ditzy and unsure of myself, and that everyone was worried about my lack of nursing ability. She followed it up by saying that I actually turned out to be a good nurse.
I don't know -- all I can think about is the negative. Everyone around me was questioning my ability - and it's just taking me back to those days of questioning my own abilities, and it's supporting my fear that I'm just not talented enough at nursing. People around me have told me that being good at this job comes with time and experience, "at least a year", they always say.
How are they so much more confident than I am? The other nurses that started the same time as me seem so sure of themselves and their work. They are confident and the carry themselves with pride. I feel like a withering kale salad without dressing next to their juicy steak goodness.
Any tips on how I can boost my confidence will be much appreciated. I need it today, guys.

After seven months on your first job, you feel like you actually know stuff, you project confidence to your patients and co-workers.

Your co-worker actually paid you a compliment. She said you were a good nurse.

Those other nurses who started when you did; how do you know THEY don't sometimes second guess themselves or wonder if they're ever going to really feel confident? They may be just as good as you are at projecting confidence.

Stop doubting yourself. Your peers obviously think you're doing fine. Remember, it takes a year on the job, sometimes two, to really feel like you nailed it.

detrelibre · Mar 22, 2016

Thank you guys for the kind comments. They are definitely helping and making me feel like I can go back to work knowing that I've made strides. I have never been one to give myself enough credit for the positive, but that's gotta change.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Mar 22, 2016

Thank you guys for the kind comments. They are definitely helping and making me feel like I can go back to work knowing that I've made strides. I have never been one to give myself enough credit for the positive, but that's gotta change.

Yay! Chin up. Truth be told, I have been an ER RN for 8 years and I am starting a very different job next month, and I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous and doubting myself! I think it's normal, to some degree. Discomfort makes us grow, right? You keep doing what you're doing. :)

detrelibre · Mar 23, 2016

Good luck on your new job, and congratulations! If you don't mind me asking, what new job are you starting? What specifically makes you nervous about it?

OCNRN63, RN · Mar 23, 2016

After seven months on your first job, you feel like you actually know stuff, you project confidence to your patients and co-workers.
Your co-worker actually paid you a compliment. She said you were a good nurse.
Those other nurses who started when you did; how do you know THEY don't sometimes second guess themselves or wonder if they're ever going to really feel confident? They may be just as good as you are at projecting confidence.
Stop doubting yourself. Your peers obviously think you're doing fine. Remember, it takes a year on the job, sometimes two, to really feel like you nailed it.

Jensmom beat me to the punch. You have no idea what they're thinking. Keep focusing on the positive. The rocky start you had could have set you back permanently, but you continued to push forward.

A year from now you will look back and be amazed at how much you've grown. I suggest you save this thread and go back and read it from time to time.

Hollybobs · Mar 24, 2016

Sometimes those qualities of self-doubt and questioning everything can help you become a really great nurse. At the beginning you appear a little shaky to others but that is partly because you aren't pretending to know anything that you don't. I prefer to see a "kale" nurse in the first year than a "steak" nurse (I love your analogy btw) as they are generally putting a lot of thought and effort in and are not over-confident.

I also like confident nurses! I just have a soft spot for someone like the OP who is clearly doing really well and will just get better and better :).