Sorry, sorry about that, I'm so sorry.

[missmollie]

That word, "sorry", comes out of my mouth more often than anything else during clinical. I apologize to my instructor, I apologize to the patients, I apologize to the nurses if I'm in their way. I say the word sorry far to many times, and I mean it when I say it.

I walk into a patient's room with confidence. I have that "fake it until you make it" mentality, but the moment I go to take out an IV that has been taped with about four rolls of tape, sorry escapes my mouth. I apologize for other nurses, I apologize for having to tear the tape off their skin, I apologize for how long it takes.

Check offs? Nail them. It's a whole different story when dealing with a live patient vs. a dummy. I find myself getting better, I feel better, but inevitably another situation pops up that I've never dealt with, and I go running for the nurse.

I'm open for any advice that will help. I will admit that I say sorry whenever I start a new position/role/job. As I gain confidence, the "sorry's" diminish. I just want to feel more confident in what I do.

Sorry for asking, but thanks in advance for advice!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Are you Canadian?

[Marsha238612]

Are you Canadian?

Ugh?! How did you know?!

[missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN]

Stop holding yourself to a standard that no one else is holding you to. You're a student. Accept it and revel in it.

This is probably something I should be told, and I appreciate you taking the time to respond. You are absolutely right.

I was thinking about this issue while driving home today, and I think now that I'm completely aware of it, I will go in there and just do what I can to the best of my limited ability, accept that if I need to ask a question, then I will, without apologizing. It's probably time at this point, but I don't think I will stop apologizing to the patients. I am sorry when I have to hurt them to accomplish a task, and I want a nurse who would apologize to me if they caused me pain, even though it was necessary.

I appreciate everyone who took the time to respond with ideas and comments. They were most helpful!

[NurseOnAMotorcycle, ASN, RN]

I used to do it too. You're fine. People will see you as caring. Just keep a good sense of humor about yourself and it will calm itself down after a while.

[LearningByTheDay]

It's normal. I remember when I started my MED-SURG clinical (about a month ago). I said sorry more than any other word. You can be nervous, holding yourself to a high standard, or a number of other things. The factor that is the difference maker is if you care a bout being a nurse. If you do what you are supposed to, ask questions to the appropriate people, and try, YOU WILL BE A GOOD NURSE. Smiling always makes the day better!

[MedicalPartisan]

Although it is derived only from genuine feeling, this very likely annoys your instructor. I don't have any advice as all situations are different but I'd definitely try an alternative approach. :)

[catebsn25]

I haven't read all the other comments so sorry if this is a repeat, but I have the SAME problem. I have always been this way, and it annoys a lot of people close to me. It is frustrating because it is like a reflex! A friend of mine helped me cut back by saying to me, "Well, you should be!" whenever I apologized for something ridiculous. It has helped a bit. I don't necessarily think it's a bad thing, but I have been told that if I say sorry for everything then it doesn't mean as much when I actually should be apologizing for something.