Is it normal to feel doubtful?

Wiggly Litchi · Sep 6, 2018

It's normal to doubt and wonder when we feel challenged. I'm heading in to my first year of nursing, but I felt this way in my past major and all through my prerequisites. It got so bad at one point that I ended up bringing it up with my counselor on campus - I didn't feel like I could continue and I had a major dose of imposter syndrome. She told me something that I took to heart, and I tell myself this every time I start doubting myself.

If they can do it, so can you.

We have to be mindful of our mindset - if we go into things with dread and worry, we'll carry that the whole time, so learn to lighten your burden. Know that you've made it this far, so you are smart enough, and it's normal to NOT know things (that's why we're here in college!). Start giving yourself little pep-talks, leave post-its on the mirror with something nice on them, or remind yourself that it's ok to not know something. I try and frame holes in my knowledge in a positive light - it's not "I don't know ________, so I'm bad" it's "Let's see what new things I can learn today!"

Here's something from Grumpy that I think you need right now -

This is a great time to understand what can be your greatest asset or weakness.
It is neither your smarts nor your skills. Your most powerful tool is your emotional intelligence. It is the ability to use your emotions to help you rather than undermine you.
How you talk to yourself about this first experience is important. "I do not feel my skills are as good as they should be" is reasonable. But if you let that morph into "I'll never get this" or "I am not as good as the other students"... it can become disabling. Be a realist about what happened and why... and craft a positive attitude and self-talk.

You CAN do this.

MiladyMalarkey, ASN, BSN · Sep 6, 2018

Normal.

Shesblessed · Sep 7, 2018

Very encouraging thanks

Workitinurfava, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2018

You have a case of low self esteem but as you accomplish things you can build your confidence. Do what you are afraid to do, you will feel so good about yourself for doing so. Please don't confide in people who don't believe in you or your goals, only talk to those that want to see you make it.

Wiggly Litchi · Sep 7, 2018

You have a case of low self esteem but as you accomplish things you can build your confidence. Do what you are afraid to do, you will feel so good about yourself for doing so. Please don't confide in people who don't believe in you or your goals, only talk to those that want to see you make it.

This 100%

Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN · Sep 8, 2018

If the only reason for doubt is because you think you are not "smart enough", you have to give yourself a reality check.What you feel and what you are two different things.How are your grades? Could you study more? Be honest with yourself.Get a tutor early on if you notice your grades slipping.You have to spend more time doing rather than worrying,and you will be fine.Good luck.

SqrB3ar, BSN, RN · Sep 9, 2018

I agree with the others! It is normal to an extent to have doubts, especially when you are nearing the end - crazy to think that soon you'll be on your own working with live patients!

The question is why do you have doubts? Well, "tell me more about your feelings of doubt in this profession?" to put it therapeutically. If you are barely getting by and you are nervous if you'd be able to apply what you know on your own, then seek help immediately. But in all seriousness, if you have made it this far and have done fairly well in your classes and do your best at clinical, all that knowledge you've learned since starting nursing school is there and expanding. Ultimately you are what you think. No negative self-talk! Keep positive, keep grinding and appear confident!