Shy guys

NurseDaddy2006 · Jan 22, 2006

Hey folks,
I'm 19 years old & I'm currently trying my best to finish my nursing pre-reqs to get it over & done with but I have this problem. I've always been shy. I'm a great conversationalist when it comes to one on one interaction but I'm such a chicken when public speaking or presentations come up. I get really tense, shaky, & my voice... my throat seems to tighten & my voice sounds feeble ugh I don't know. I'm really bad at it. I don't like to take those anxiety meds 'cause I'd like to follow the organic route. Does anyone else have this problem or am I a freakin weirdo? I feel like this will surely be a detriment to my overall nursing well-being.

You're not a weirdo. You're here asking the question, which is a good start. Perhaps you might want to look around the internet for info on overcoming shyness. See if your school has a psychologist you can talk to. Mine does, and she's been helpful with a few things I've needed to deal with. Good luck.

ND

Corvette Guy · Jan 22, 2006

Hey folks,
I'm 19 years old & I'm currently trying my best to finish my nursing pre-reqs to get it over & done with but I have this problem. I've always been shy. I'm a great conversationalist when it comes to one on one interaction but I'm such a chicken when public speaking or presentations come up. I get really tense, shaky, & my voice... my throat seems to tighten & my voice sounds feeble ugh I don't know. I'm really bad at it. I don't like to take those anxiety meds 'cause I'd like to follow the organic route. Does anyone else have this problem or am I a freakin weirdo? I feel like this will surely be a detriment to my overall nursing well-being.

Sounds more like stage fright, to me. No, your not a weirdo. :)

See this Thread

Kabin · Jan 27, 2006

You might consider seeing a primary care doc for a beta blocker like propranolol. They can have loads of side effects but they also take the edge off.

RollingThunder · Jan 27, 2006

You might consider seeing a primary care doc for a beta blocker like propranolol. They can have loads of side effects but they also take the edge off.

This is commonly prescribed by doctors for this exact problem but they also decrease your concentration so if you have to get important points across, you had better have some cue cards. Personally, I think many people suffer from this and not all admit it. I figured out that just getting up there and consiously making my voice come across as strong (literally speaking over my fear) worked better than anything. I always felt nervous speaking in front of people but they never seemed to get that perception themselves. I even had one of my nursing instructors call me a supreme orator, saying that I should have been a politican. So I think that anyone can overcome the fear of speaking in front of large groups. And dude, in nursing school, you don't have any choice but to get up and speak. The more you do it, the better you will become. Oh yeah, never underestimate the importance of being prepared on the material that you are going to present. If you don't know what you're talking about, it shows most every time.

Kabin · Jan 27, 2006

I've used a low dose before (10 mg) and I never felt drowsy or dizzy. But then again, when you're amped up for a presentation, the CNS lowering effects are probably offset. A good doc/provider should be able to tweak the dose so the benefits outweight the negatives.

KatieBell · Jan 27, 2006

You might just try taking a class in Speech...rather than taking a medication. You are 19 yrs old. Speaking in Public is listed as a huge fear all over the population, so giving yourself some time to grow up and learn to speak in public may be more helpful than immdeiately going for a medication!

In general, you may do some presentations in school, but once you become a nurse, as long as you are a bedside nurse, most of your communcation is one on one or one on family...

Sammi15 · Jan 27, 2006

Hello,

I'm a very shy person too and I think being shy is okay because it's an individual uniqueness. I think as I got older, I became less shy. I cannot even talk in front of the class but when it comes to one on one conversation, you cannot shut me up. In my class (150+ students) there are mixture of talkative students and quiet students and it blends very nicely. All my nursing classes presentations are group project, so not everyone have to talk. In clinical, you will work on a one to one with a patient each time. So, you see, being shy will not effect you being a good nurse.

Good luck!

Kabin · Jan 28, 2006

It can be a pretty traumatic stressing experience with blushing, nervous movements, etc and those compound the problem. The body reacts the same whether the stimulus is a speech class or a class presentation. What worked for me was to desensitize myself to the stimulus and then go el-natural.

Jerico, BSN, RN · Jan 28, 2006

I am a terrible conversationalist - and used to HATE speaking in public because when I get up there, nervous, I get RED SPLOTCHES all over my neck and face, it is AWFUL because I am blonde and light skinned - pale.

I discovered if I have a glass of wine before speaking I do FINE. Thirty minutes before I have to speak! I know it sounds like a crutch, but it honestly works for me.

I don't drink otherwise - well, only once in a while.

narcissistic · Jan 30, 2006

I'm not really keen on taking meds for being a nervous wreck in front of class. I was thinking of taking a Public Speaking class but I'm wondering if they address this type of fear in that class or am I just being suicidal with that idea.

Corvette Guy · Jan 30, 2006

I'm not really keen on taking meds for being a nervous wreck in front of class. I was thinking of taking a Public Speaking class but I'm wondering if they address this type of fear in that class or am I just being suicidal with that idea.

IMHO, a college level speech class is exactly what you need. The course will provide you many, many opportunities to over come your fear of public speaking. One of my past martial arts instructor use to say; perfect practice, makes perfect.

:)