The Introverted Folks

SarasotaRN2b · Feb 3, 2006

I'm currently trying my best to finish my nursing pre-reqs to get it over & done with but I have this (other) 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 pre-nursing well-being. Anyone else who has an introverted personality?

yeah, I did, but I found that as I gotten older, I've gotten more outspoken. I, too, occasionally get tense and shaky with presentations, but the more you do it, the less you will feel as anxious. The best defense that I found was that when I had to do a presentation I did a lot of research and work. I also made sure to be one of the first speakers. Keeping your eyes towards the audience (yeah, its tough), will definitely go further even if you waiver. People are less forgiving if you read directly from slides or notes. I actually found professors more lenient towards the first speakers. It is amazing how many instructors also have had anxieties about teaching.

Kris

bethin · Feb 3, 2006

I had the same problem but then I got sick of being walked on so I started to stand up for myself.

There was a thread pertaining to public speaking, hopefully staff can dig it up for us.

Kathyz · Feb 3, 2006

I was extremely shy most of my life. My mother was like "don't you have anything to say to people??" People unfortunately mistook it as me being stuck up!! As I got older I gained a lot of self-confidence and realized what a great person I am.

For some reason, though, I've never had any problems with public speaking. I love to get up there in front of everyone!! I know, I'm weird.

Be prepared and know that while you're speaking a lot of others will be concentrating on their own speeches because they're nervous too! Good luck. And the more you do it (or anything), the easier it becomes.

prmenrs, RN · Feb 3, 2006

it helps to try to take the audience's point of view and think less about yourself. after all, it's really not about you, is it??

find something you've been curious about, ask a few people if that would interest them, and really listen to their responses.

once you've picked a topic, research it. if you find an anecdote, include it. try to engage the audience. start by asking them something like: "haven't you ever wondered...." i once read the phyllis george did her entire miss america interview about her pet--i think it was a frog or something. and she won!

make an outline that has whole sentences to remind you of the points you want to make, not just a "key word" type outline--but put the "key words" in the sentence.

practice! first in front of the mirror, then one friend/relative and really listen to what they say! if that is too scary, try a dog--they'll [usually] listen, and they won't give too much feedback! (did you know they use therapy dogs in schools to listen to young kids read? the kids aren't afraid of what the dog thinks when they make a mistake!) then try 3 friends. by then, you should be ready for prime time, but if you think you need more, use more friends (be ready and willing to return the favor.)

if you say something you think is cute or funny and you don't get a response from the audience, just glide right past it to the next piece of your talk. you're only going to talk for a few minutes. it's not the state of the union. and most of these people you'll never see again once you're out of that class! who cares what they think??

make eye contact w/each member of the audience. think about them, not you. breathe!!! in and out. the rest of the class is in the same boat you are, don't forget that.

and don't forget, >100,000 nurses/students here @ allnurses are rooting for you!!! you can do it!!

prmenrs, RN · Feb 3, 2006

I just saw an interesting (or at least I think so) video clip on the CNN site: look for the headline about the autistic girl and police dog: http://www.cnn.com/

maolin · Feb 3, 2006

If the "stage fright" is really bad for you - you might look into beta blockers - they are used to treat severe stage fright with out the decreased LOC you get with anxiolytics. Then you can at least funtion without the heart racing and shakes and sweating (which always makes the public speaking experience even worse - a vicious cycle!).

Good luck to you!

smilin_gp · Feb 3, 2006

For some reason, though, I've never had any problems with public speaking. I love to get up there in front of everyone!! I know, I'm weird.
Be prepared and know that while you're speaking a lot of others will be concentrating on their own speeches because they're nervous too! Good luck. And the more you do it (or anything), the easier it becomes.

I completely agree with this. I am also extremely shy, but have learned to take public speaking opportunities as a way to communicate and to show people that I actually have something to say! If your problem, like mine, is social shyness, than communication with patients is not necessarily difficult, because the therapeutic communication techniques and the information that you are required to get for assessments gives patient-nurse conversations a lot of structure, which does seem to help a lot of us introverts :)

askater11 · Feb 3, 2006

I've been a nurse 10 years. Still I'm an introvert in large crowds. I'm more of a listener at that point than a conversationalist. If there's one or two people around I'm very vocal but any more I turn into a quiet, meek mouse.

I did well in nursing school. When I became a nurse I was excellent with my patients. I've come a long way with dealing with staff. Now I'm an extrovert in that way...to stand up for my patients but in a quiet efficient way.

I went to the library and listened to tapes about dealing with people...took classes that were interesting about interacting. And mostly I've grown with experience.

Don't doubt yourself b/c you're an introvert.... you'll make an excellent nurse. At least this introvert has!!!

NeoNurseTX, RN · Feb 5, 2006

I was like that.. .but in nursing school you have to get over it or it will be way harder than it has to be.

1Tulip · Feb 5, 2006

A lot of shyness has to do with an over-concern about what people think about you. You have to get over this. Why should you really care about the opinions of those you'll probably never meet again? (In contrast, you should, in fact, care a great deal about the opinions of those who love you and are committed to your welfare.)

If you're speaking before a group, you have to be more interested in your topic than in your listeners. If your performing, you concentrate on your art. If you're teaching, you focus on the precision of your terminology, the clarity of your explanations and applicablility of your illustrations.

For irrational, intensely anxiety-provoking, performance related, short-term needs, beta blockers are not a bad idea. (Concert pianists who are competing for international prizes have used them for years.) However, this is not the same thing as debilitating shyness.

I don't know how young you are. But age, experience, maturity and cynicism can do a lot to get you over this hump.

jenn_rn_nj · Feb 5, 2006

I used to be a terrible public speaker - I'd mumble, laugh if I messed up and look down instead of at the audience - my voice would shake, I would shake. The period of time prior to speaking I'd just about get physically ill and I'd shake and sweat like crazy.

Then I became an education major...I was constantly giving "lectures" so to speak. My audience was children, though. For some reason this really built my confidence. With children there is no expectation. They will interrupt, ask outrageous questons and generally do the unthinkable if given the chance. Sure, I was being evaluated by an instructor but somehow talking to the kids and connecting with them was so important to me I forgot about the evaluation part of the presentation.

I found that I didn't have to be perfect. I learned to go with the flow - even when I had to speak in front of adults! I now do really well with public speaking. I've given major presentations and been commended on how well I speak. I even volunteer to give presentations these days when I do class projects.

I'm still the shy, quiet type, too! I hope you can find an experience or two that will help build your confidence - I really think that makes all the difference.

Goodluck! :)