Nursing school lack of confidence/Clinicals

[A.J.R.]

Hi, so I am currently almost half way done with an accelerated program. My problem is that everyone seems so confident and I am very insecure in clinicals. I have been a waitress for 11 years and have 3 children so I am not new to working or dealing with people. Everytime I go to clinical, I feel so afraid. Please someone tell me this is normal and I'll gain confidence would you suggest getting a job in pt care over break? I feel like that's the only way to gain confidence besides studying and working harder. I try to do as much as possible at clinical but it is all so terrifying. Nursing truly is a way of life and a huge adjustment! Thank you!

[bugya90, ASN, BSN, LVN, RN]

It's normal to feel scared at clinical. It takes time to build confidence, you may not build up a lot of confidence until you are out of school been at your job for a while. When at clinical try to get the best learning possible, meaning ask the nurses if there is anything you can help with or watch, seek out opportunities (even with the aides as they can show you a lot of tricks for basic care). If you can try to find a job as a nurse tech or patient care tech then that will also help you build confidence (not all hospitals have this for nursing students so you'll just have to check with your local hospitals).

[OldDude]

Don't worry about it. Those with previous medical field experience who are in nursing school even make it worse for those of us with no experience in the field. I felt pretty stupid when I was in clinical s.

[Crush]

Don't worry about it. Honestly though, you are totally normal. It takes a while to become more confident. Be sure to ask questions, ask for help or a demo as needed.

[Everline]

When I was in nursing school and through my first couple of years of nursing, people would always say I was doing a great job but needed to work on my confidence. I think every clinical instructor told me the same thing. And then I struggled in my first nursing job and felt inferior to everyone. Fast forward to now, currently in my fourth year out of school, and my self-esteem and confidence as a nurse has greatly improved. I never get those comments any more about needing to work on my confidence, nor do I feel afraid/nervous much while working. I am a worrier, by nature and I tend towards anxiety. I am always looking to improve myself and my skills. But I am in a place now where other people find me confident and capable. And morever, I feel confident and capable. It takes time. Stay the course and you will get there...

[A.J.R.]

This is perfect as someone that struggles with anxiety. Thank you so much for the encouragement and hope! God bless

[brownbook]

Nine out of ten nurses feel exactly the same way, and as others have said, this feeling may not go away till a year or two of working as a nurse is under your belt.

And I don't feel sorry for you, (joking). You have so much information available at your fingertips. Allnurses and Google, to say nothing of YouTube which is a great resource for how to procedures from bed baths to starting IV's. I had none of that...poor me.

[A.J.R.]

You're right. I think most people are just better at hiding their insecurities or just aren't honest about it! Nursing school is a very scary time and full of doubt and fear. Just got to keep doing our best!

[Mavrick, BSN, RN]

You're right. I think most people are just better at hiding their insecurities or just aren't honest about it! Nursing school is a very scary time and full of doubt and fear. Just got to keep doing our best!

You are judging other people's outsides by your insides. You see them as a lot more confident than they see themselves. They are not really as confident as they look.

It's the whole idea behind "Fake it 'til you make it"

As a "seasoned" professional nurse, there are still times when I am called to do some stuff that is new or I haven't been properly oriented to. I may be a little hesitant on the inside but I don't act like it.

If I really don't feel like I can fake it on the fly, I will confidently call another nurse over to show me something and will state to the patient something like "I haven't worked with this new pump and I want Nurse Nancy to make sure I'm programming it right". You can show confidence in what you know and when you know you need a "Nursing Consult".

Docs do it all the time and call it a "Medical Consult"

[A.J.R.]

They are so good at hiding it and I need to learn to be that way too. I am going to use that everytime I feel insecure! Thank you for the "Nursing Consult"! It sounds more professional than just plain "I don't know".