nerves/confidence

meluhn · May 4, 2009

Heck yes I was, It was a major stumbling block but I refused to let it hold me back. I had to take xanax and propanolol before speaking in public. I am not sure that is the best way to deal with it but it definitely was the only way it was doable for me personally. I dont recommend it if there is any possible way you could do without it. The xanax made me really tired and after a while I weaned down to a ridiculously small amount that probably didn't even do a thing but it was psychological for me, almost like a placebo effect. I never minded speaking in class or to people and I am not even a really shy person but something about standing in front of people and having all eyes on me was terrifying. I would shake and my heart wound pound and I couldn't breath right or talk.

Since leaving my last job I am not in a position to have to speak in public but it did get easier after a while. I dont think I am cut out for a job where I would have to do it regularly but its good to know I can if I have to.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · May 4, 2009

Two things help me: 1 - really know my topic and be able to feel comfortable with it. I usually overdo the research part. It helps me to see what lay people think about the topic so I can cover basics.

2- pretend that the audience are my guests and it is my job to make them comfortable. Don't ask why this works, but it does, as I would not dream of intentionally having them squirm in their seats.

inschool4ever · May 4, 2009

HEY, I actually logged on today with this same problem. I had to do a presentation today spur of the moment no time to prepare and I was shaking and couldnt speak. I also have horrible nerves when I have to give meds with my instructor in clinical. I am really worried about this holding me back. Im going to be a senior in the fall and I havent gotten a handle on this yet. Its humiliating too! Everyone else in my class seems so relaxed and fine at this point. I was thinking of bringing this up with my doctor and going on a medication until school is over.

I hate to go that drastic but even my instructor has said she cant watch me give an injection because I shake so much. YIKES!

ANYONE WITH ADVICE FOR US OUT THERE???

:bugeyes:

texastaz · May 4, 2009

Two things help me: 1 - really know my topic and be able to feel comfortable with it. I usually overdo the research part. It helps me to see what lay people think about the topic so I can cover basics.
2- pretend that the audience are my guests and it is my job to make them comfortable. Don't ask why this works, but it does, as I would not dream of intentionally having them squirm in their seats.

I took training classes for this when I was in the Army and at first shook like a leaf. The above quote is what eventualy helped me the most. As for talking on the phone - out of diar need I had taken a telemarketing job, while terrified I discovered people were nicer than I had ever expected. Just do it and you will be great :up:

cursedandblessed · May 4, 2009

public speaking class. in my english lit class we had to do a presentation and one of the guys in my group had done a power point which of course wouldn't work, i was able to pull it together and give a five minute talk on our author while he got the thing to work.

shrimpchips, LPN · May 6, 2009

I still have a hard time giving presentations and talking in front of an audience, but I think I'm better at it now than I used to be. I had to take an Effective Oral Communication class this semester (it was either that or Intro to Public Speaking, and to be honest, I only took EOC because you don't do as many speeches...I still had to get up there A LOT though!). The class was really hard for me because I just don't do well when I'm up in front of an audience. I literally have a small panic attack - instant tachycardia and I'm all shaky, etc! It also doesn't help that I naturally talk fast, and when I get nervous, I talk at like 100mph lol.

I was also watching a show called 1,000 Ways To Die. They talk about a bunch of freak accidents/weird/stupid ways that people die - it's very interesting! But there was this one story about an some men that fought in the Civil War, but it was after the war had ended. One of the guys was going to be executed by his former battle buddies (firing squad) - I forgot the exact reason. Anyway, They lined up, the guy stood there, all of them fired and the guy collapsed. When they went to check on the body, he didn't have a single bullet wound on him. Instead, they later found out that he had so much adrenaline going through his body while he was thinking about his impending death that it killed him. After I heard that, I immediately thought that would happen to me while I was taking that EOC class (panic from giving too many presentations!) :lol2:

Of course...I survived. :bugeyes: And I really think it just takes time. I think the more you do presentations, the easier it gets. I have no problem with group discussions (if the group is small) or talking to people or talking on the phone, but presentations have always been a problem with me. I also really hate it when my CI is evaluating me or watching me pass meds in clinical...that can be nerve-wrecking!

student_nurse1986 · May 8, 2009

yeah i done handover 2day which im pleased bout. so glad nw x

FUTURE_RN_08 · May 9, 2009

I hated Public Speaking! I am not a shy person either, but something about being in front of a large group of people and having attention drawn towards me just made me very uncomfortable. It would make me sick a month before the event would even take place. I survived all of my presentations and came to the conclusion that the worry of "what ifs" was worse than the presentation itself. You just have to do some STOP THOUGHT and take control of the situation and get through it. It also helped me by having some distracters to pass out while I was giving the speech. Also, I always volunteered to go first because that was easier than sitting in my chair waiting for my turn, which always made me more nervous. I think alot of it is low self esteem and no confidence, which I think is normal while in nurisng school. It seems the ups and downs of nursing school tend to mentally drain you. ( not to mention all those sleepless nights) But, you will do fine and will be able to laugh about it later, trust me... If I survived public speaking, anyone can! LOL... GOOD LUCK :)

student_nurse1986 · May 9, 2009

thanks 4 that, i feel the same as u. what do u mean by distractors?x

FUTURE_RN_08 · May 9, 2009

For example, we did a presentation last year on Board of Ethics and I bought bookmarks and passed them out, and it kept them busy reading while I was talking. LOL That was a pretty good distractor I think, plus it was something nice for them to have and refer to sometime. The Board of Ethics information is pretty important.

cursedandblessed · May 10, 2009

visual aids, handouts, syringe pens, candy. one of our instructors used life savers as an example of the cervix dilating and thinning. she had everyone sucking on one. and while it was a little wacky, it got the point across. she also had someone lay on a table and stuck a baby doll under their shirt, to show how to find the position of the baby inside the womb.