Public Speaking Nerves: Class Presentation

ADPIE10 · Jul 31, 2008

We were required to take a public speaking class as part of our Nursing Degree. My professor said that a little nervous energy is good. You aren't expected to be at ease. Don't be frightened. Everybody in the class is in the same position. Unless you are a jerk, then everybody wants to see you succeed as much as they want to see themselves succeed. The best way to avoid unnecessary nervousness is to BE PREPARED. Reheorifice your information with your family and friends. Don't read from a script. You've spoken with your classmates before, now you have their undivided attention. Just shine :yeah:

Valhalla_Pure · Jul 31, 2008

My first post! :typing You should look to see if there is a Toastmasters Club at your school or in your area. Toastmasters is a great group that allows you to practice and improve your public speaking skills. The people in the club give you feedback in a friendly and constructive manner. My boyfriend is a Toastmaster member at his work, and he found it really helped him get more comfortable with public speaking. It's worth looking into!

http://www.toastmasters.org/

dee78 · Jul 31, 2008

I also get nervous in front of people. I've been singing karaoke for 15 years but I still shake when I get up in front of a new group. I know it isn't the same but just to show that it doesn't always go away. I absolutely love to sing, it is my passion so I don't let my anxiety keep me from getting up in front of the crowd. You just have to push through it and do what has to be done.

The main piece of advice would be to be prepared. If you know the material, that is one less thing to be nervous about. Have a notecard with keypoints to help you in case you get flustered.

Good luck!!

amarilla, RN · Jul 31, 2008

Hi there,

I too had to take a public speaking class as part of the prerequisite curriculum, and Toastmasters is definitely a great idea to get your feet wet to practice addressing groups without such anxiety...

but I understand neither of these things may help if this presentation is in just a few weeks. I've never been a shy person, per se - as long as I'm acquainted with the topic at hand, I'm very comfortable speaking to small and large groups in most settings. Then again, I've had plenty of practice in my former career, (finance). There was just no room for nervousness or baby steps; either you jumped in, or you'd fall to the wayside. This being said, I'd like to offer a few suggestions, (just my two cents.) :wink2:

First of all: where is the dread coming from? That people will laugh? That they'll be staring at you? Thinking things about you while you're talking? That you'll stammer or blush?

Remember that you aren't the only one who feels this way. A great deal of people have trouble speaking in front of others! Second, you're lucky in the fact that these are your classmates, most of whom I'll assume you know and feel comfortable with. None of these folks wish you harm or want you to look stupid; if anything, they're worrying about their own turn and watching to see how you do as a way to psyche themselves up!

Since you have a few weeks, why not prepare your report on something of interest to you, (very important, as it helps you appear interested and knowledgeable as well as making the work and research more fun!), and practice it in front of your loved ones or friends a few times? Make notes, and practice maintaining short bouts of eye contact, (5-10 seconds), with different people as you're speaking. Read slowly. Breathe. Hell, write these things on your note cards to remind yourself of them!

Ask your loved ones for feedback; they will be able to tell you if it's clear and concise, (and maybe you'll get some tips on how to summarize things with the help of visual aids or an easy-to-understand summary.) More than anything: don't let yourself feel silly and blow this off...

because one day when you're done with nursing school, you're going to have to address people in critical situations. Do patient teaching. Help to educate newer nurses as you learn. People will be looking at you to present your ideas and information in an easy-to-understand, organized and friendly manner...

just as this project is asking you to do for a group of your peers.

Good luck!

mshultz · Aug 1, 2008

I found my college speech class to be even more anxiety-provoking, since you are being graded on giving a speech, as opposed to providing information. I also get embarrassed and blush. This is just something I have to accept.

I like audience involvement when I talk. I ask questions. If no one responds, I just keep waiting, and the teacher will answer. In one class, we were "teaching" by standing up front and reading out of the book (just for part of one class session; we did not do this each night). When it was my turn, I would read until I came to something interesting, and then ask the class "Why do you suppose that is?"

Presentations are always best when you have personal experience. This is easier when you are middle-aged like me. There has been more time to experience things in life. When I did a presentation on hiatal hernias, I had pictures from my EGD. My teacher, who was a nurse, really appreciated that.

One of my pharmacology classmates gave a talk on the disadvantages of Provera. She said the reduction in sex drive caused her husband to suffer carpel tunnel (from masturbation). There was a moment of stunned silence, then laughter for 2 minutes. Most of us are too reserved to make that kind of joke (it was a joke), but it did make for an entertaining presentation.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Aug 1, 2008

Former thespian here. Old trick of the trade is to pick a spot(s) and focus on talking to them. One of the things our drama teachers used to do was paste colored construction paper (colored post-it notes will also work) on the walls to be our focal points during our oral deliveries. They are posted at slightly above the head level of the audience. When you speak you look at these targets rather than the people in the audience and it helps with some of your concentration and anxiety. The other element is to memorize as much of what you are going to say as possible. In the theater nothing is ad libbed, even the action and movement. It just looks like it because it has been so well memorized and reheorificed.

JStyles1 · Aug 1, 2008

sounds a bit strange, but take a couple shots before you go to class.

ever wonder how the shyest guy in the world can approach a girl in a club? liquid courage

casi, ASN, RN · Aug 1, 2008

Okay, I don't exactly get nervous about public speaking, I acctually did competitve speech in high school.

One thing I learned is to stare at peoples foreheads. This way they think you are making eye contact, but your not. One thing that always bugged me about making speeches was if I were looking at the person I'd get nervous because I'd be trying to read their face.

MilwaukeeRNstu · Jun 18, 2009

i am also petrified of speaking in groups or doing presentations. i even freak the first day of class when they do ice-breakers or if i have to introduce myself. i sometimes dread it for months beforehand. when i am in the situation, my heart starts racing and i almost can't talk without running out of breath and all i can think of is running out of the room. i start nursing school in the fall and the only thing that frightens me and gives me the chills is having to do presentations or class introductions.

i'm not sure where this fear came from but i know i avoid any situation where i have to speak in front of people. however, i'm wonderful one on one or on the phone??? and, i do fine on exams and got a's in all my science classes.

everyone always tells me that i just need to practice and face my fear. however, i've tried that and it still isn't getting better. i recently started zoloft in hopes it will help when i start school in the fall.

anyone else have this kind of fear? how do you handle it?

shrimpchips, LPN · Jun 19, 2009

I was required to take a public speaking class (called "Effective Oral Communication") which is a nursing requirement but also a gen-ed requirement (unless you're a super cool honors student...). Public speaking is a huge fear of mine. I would rather have a gynecologic exam (or die) than get up in front of the class and speak about a topic. I was lucky and had an awesome instructor. He made us go up there A LOT which sucked but I think in the long run it was better for me. It also helped that my class only had 15 students. If I was asked to give a presentation today I would probably still freak out lol but I think I'm better at it now.

I guess it helps to let yourself know that other students are probably just as, if not more, nervous than you are and everyone is in the same boat - everyone has to go up there and present something. Also, if you're a fast talker like I am, SKIP THE CAFFEINE. I naturally talk fast and when my nerves are firing I talk even faster...and if I have caffeine, most of the class probably wouldn't understand a word I said because my words would be blazin' lol