My insecurities as a student..

opalbee · Jan 14, 2018

I don't know how much my comment will help- maybe you'll feel a bit better knowing that you're not alone? My situation is slightly different, but similar enough so I feel like I can talk about it.

I'm in the same shoes, at the moment. I'm trying to get a job as a CNA right now and the major thing holding me back is that I'm not good at interacting with people... I know, why become a nurse, right? I love science and disease processes and I actually enjoy caring (typically for pets lol). But I've always been called "weird" and I tend to be quiet and direct in my speech. Making small talk is one of the hardest things in the world for me, and a lot of times when I try to initiate it on my own, I end up stuttering or come off sounding like a robot. :banghead:

One of my worst anxieties that I imagine all day is working at a nursing home in the morning shift. How do I wake up someone? Do I nudge them? What if they don't want to wake up and react angrily? What if they don't want to be touched? What if they don't want to be touched, so I have to talk loudly, but then their roommate (who wants to sleep in) gets mad at me? I get so nervous about these awkward situations. I feel like I'm on a different planet from people and now I'm going to be working intimately with them and I'm afraid I'll make it awkward. :banhappy:

I want to make money, though, while simultaneously building skills and a background in the healthcare field. Plus, I need to get over this. So I'm just taking a plunge and am forcing myself to figure it out. My rules that I tell myself:

(1) I will always ask questions if I need to.

(2) I will always be polite and be mindful of my tone, and will work on starting conversations, even if they do end up going awkwardly.

(3) I will have respect and confidence for myself. I won't let people walk over me, even though I may come off as timid while trying to be polite, and I might be scared, but I'm not going to let myself "know" that I am. Does that make sense? lol

These rules are an easy way for me to attain my goals, I feel. Following three rules is no biggie. That's how I see it, anyways. Maybe make some rules for yourself? Just focus on following them, while knowing it's for a greater purpose.

Rionoir, ADN, RN · Jan 14, 2018

I remember my first day of CNA clinicals... me and my partner walked into the room and were like, um.. ah.. literally no clue what we just spent the last month learning. lmao

emmjayy, BSN, RN · Jan 15, 2018

I think if you're feeling insecure and afraid of patient contact you should get a job as a CNA or a student assistant in the hospital. You'll get into a routine and over your nervousness with a quickness. The cure for not knowing how to approach patients is to have a TON of patient contact!

Mavrick, BSN, RN · Jan 15, 2018

I was just reflecting on myself about what I'm afraid of the most with soon becoming a nurse. I noticed how I have this flickering flame of doubt in my gut when it comes to initiating contact with a patient. I remember my first patient ( I'm a 2nd semester student), and I was so nervous and needed reassurance from my professor on how to get started. My mind almost went blank right before I pushed myself to go in her room. Everything was alright and soon became routine as I got comfortable around her. Though I still have this fear that it'll come back, let's say even if I've been a nurse for 5 years. I'm afraid that I won't know what questions to ask or I'll forget, I'll give a stupid response and look like an idiot, or that I won't be as engaged and build a good enough rapport or relationship with my patients. My actions are opposite from my insecurities as I've been doing fine so far, but they are like intrusive thoughts at the back of my mind.
Has anyone else felt something similar?

You are SO NORMAL. And that's OK.

You will experience all of that (forget, stupid response, look like an idiot etc. etc. etc.) in your first few outings with patients. After all that though you can still be OK. It won't bother you so much because you have gained insight that patients are PEOPLE. They can be very forgiving when it shows that you care and are trying your best. Sometimes you can laugh with them and just apologize.

Do your best in Nursing school, learn from other nurses, ask questions, keep a little notebook with phone numbers (Pharmacy is your friend!) and other helpful information to keep from making the big mistakes.

The "fake it 'til you make it" saying is good too.

adventure_rn, MSN, NP · Jan 15, 2018

One important thing to remember is that once you're a nurse (or a CNA) you'll enter the room with a specific goal in mind--an assessment to perform, a med to give, a bath to complete, etc. As a student, it's easier to get stuck in your own head since your focus is more on the patient interaction.

All students and new grad nurses are going to totally blank and forget things from time to time (I promise that it gets better). The more that nursing becomes second-nature, the less and less it will happen. We have all been in that awkward, anxious, 'deer in the headlights' place you've described.

That said, there are a couple of things you can do. Perhaps you can practice a script of what you're going to say (i.e. 'Hi I'm Auguste25, I'm a nursing student and I'll be assisting the nurse today. If it's alright with you, I'm going to get started on your assessment.') Go in with a game plan in mind. Write down your plan (or anything else you think you might blank on in the moment) in a pocket-sized notebook; if you're totally panicking, you can just whip the notebook out to remind you. You could even just have a habit of walking in with it in-hand and open so you can glance down just in case. I used to do this all of the time when I started in NICU since I kept forgetting things during my care time; my 'cheat sheet' would say something like, 'start warming milk, check BP, head to toe assessment, check temp, measure girth, change diaper, change o2 sat probe, reswaddle, feed') Just having it there with me helped me to feel more confident and ward off the bad voodoo.

Potatoskins · Jan 16, 2018

I get this on so many levels. I am also a second semester nursing student and a bit of an introvert, but I really care about people and want to make a difference in people's lives. I've gotten a bit better with my people skills and just signed up to volunteer at my local hospital with patient interaction for four hours a week to challenge myself. I do good with people when they are naturally outgoing and open, but when it comes to another introvert, I'm unsure how to approach them or get information out of them that could be important for their healthcare.

I do think the more practice you get, the easier it will get. But you are definitely not alone. Introverts make good nurses too, because we are more likely to notice when someone needs left alone. One of my good friends sister has had severe diagnosable social anxiety since she was a kid and she's done great as a nurse, so I figured if she can do it, so can I. Stay positive and remember exposure will make it easier in time.