Just Started Volunteering (Need Confidence)

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HI everyone,

I really want to be a nurse but have a weak stomach and am very sensitive. After posting on this website everyone has made me feel extremely confident that wilth time I will get used to things and I am SOO happy about that.

I just started volunteering for the first time in a hiospital just to "get a feel" for the hospital ( I am still doing pre-reqs in school)

They put me in the ER,

I was so excited but when I got there I felt SOOO scared.

I saw the patients in the beds and people coming in from ambulences, and I was watching the nurses and felt like "oh my god they know what they're doing, could I ever be like that", and I just have been doubting myself ever since.

The whole experience was just so scary to me.

I am going back again next week, I am not giving up - but any one have any words for me?

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

part of your response has to do with a lack of education & skills to help others. Once you learn that, you will focus more on the problem and not your reaction to the problem. Remember, not all nurses have to work in ER. I think you will learn a lot as a volunteer and think you have the right attitude!

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I am 'justavolunteer' myself. Even though I have been doing it for a number of years, I still get the 'fish out of water' feeling a lot. What you are going through is natural, especially since you are new at it. You will get better after awhile and gain confidence. Hang in there & good luck!

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Specializes in SRNA.

Heck, I graduate from nursing school in 19 days and there are still times when I think to myself, "OMG, they know what they're doing...can I ever be like that!?" However, when I think back to where I started, I've come a long way and competence and confidence comes with experience. Hang in there, you'll be an awesome nurse one day.

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"oh my god they know what they're doing, could I ever be like that", and I just have been doubting myself ever since.

The whole experience was just so scary to me.

I am going back again next week, I am not giving up - but any one have any words for me?

They know what they are doing because they have been educated and have experience. You have not been educated and do not have experience.

Of course they can and you can't. Please, don't ever think anyone was born with this.

Get you education, and experience and some day you will know what you are doing.

It does not come over night. It comes very slowly in very small increments but it surely comes to those who stick with it.

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Heck, I graduate from nursing school in 19 days and there are still times when I think to myself, "OMG, they know what they're doing...can I ever be like that!?" However, when I think back to where I started, I've come a long way and competence and confidence comes with experience. Hang in there, you'll be an awesome nurse one day.

oops! When I first read your post I read, "I graduated from nursing school in 19 days!!!:eek:

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Specializes in SRNA.
oops! When I first read your post I read, "I graduated from nursing school in 19 days!!!:eek:

Hah! The time really does fly by though!

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