timid

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2009

I respectfully think that you will need to get over the timidness if you are planning a long term career in the nursing profession. Unfortunately, timid people quickly become the targets of bullying by rude doctors, abusive family members, aggressive coworkers, and certain patients.

Here's my observation...bullies will always target certain individuals, while miraculously leaving others alone. It all comes down to their perception of us. If you are perceived as a timid 'softie' who will not stand up to the bully, you'll be targeted for further harassment.

If you're perceived as someone who will put up a front of resistance and not let anyone walk over you, then the bully will quickly know to leave you alone. People who display their timidness get targeted all the time, and it can prove to be a very painful workplace experience.

You must drop the timid behaviors, or you might become an everlasting victim.

Peetz, BSN · Oct 23, 2009

Don't let the quick observations of nurse make you think you are something you may not be. If you are not a timid person then don't worry about it. If you feel you are timid, then take a look at your career choices, there are careers in nursing for those less aggressive. You DO NOT have to get out of nursing. I am inclined to believe you are not timid just new at all this and have a good understanding of how important not rushing is. If you were observing and not readily jumping in to do things you may have been perceived as timid. Let me assure you that is not a good indicator of a persons personality, it sounds like the nurse made a snap judgement and you let it get to you. DON'T. You will run into more of those kinds of nurses and the best thing to bring from that is to NOT be one after you have been in the job for a while. You said you are in your first term with no health care experience. I fully expect you to be scared and timid, but I also expect that to diminish as you get more experience and confidence in your own abilities.

becky5438 · Oct 23, 2009

I'm not a timid person at all outside clinicals. I think I get nervous because I am intimidated at this point. I'm still new to this.

ellakate · Oct 23, 2009

Sometimes just speaking up is enough to put aside any thoughts of timidity. Speak loudly enough, using your best voice, and sound confident.

FWIW, your behavior is what I would have expected from you. But don't become timid. It gets in the way of appropriate action.

For now, make sure that you thank the staff who helped you. Just like anything else, be nice. Really, some day you will laugh about this!!

Rednights · Oct 23, 2009

It's FINE to be timid during the first couple of weeks of clinicals. I'm telling you it's because you're not comfortable of the fact you're taking care of someone when your knowledge base is so limited. Am I right? But then again, we were regulated to AM care / Vital Signs, nothing ground breaking. Your timidness should go away as you take and complete classes.

Anyways, if you're still timid after you've taken Pharm + Med Surge (or are taking it) 2nd sem or senior year whatever comes first, then we might have a problem here LOL. That's not going to fly anymore at that point. You better act like you know what you are doing but not to the point you go give meds without your Prof to watch (that's a huge no no).

Make sure you are more than prepared for all scenarios based off your patient care summaries. For example, if you THINK there's even an ounce of a possibility that your patient might need a foley inserted, it's best to refresh yourself (look at a Youtube video, they are surprisingly good) on how to do it. That way you're prepared to the best of your abilities regarding your patient even if you do nothing but wipe butts all day long.

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2009

I'm not a timid person at all outside clinicals. I think I get nervous because I am intimidated at this point. I'm still new to this.

I've also just started clinicals and feel timid too. We've only had one real clinical at the hospital and everything else has been lab simulation, and we were kinda just thrown in on our first day to do vitals and do am care. Ok, vitals take 5 minutes and my patient is self care and making the bed took 2 minutes so now what....? By the end of the clinical day I was feeling a lot better, but I know I'm still going to feel underfoot until I learn more skills.

I do not think I will make a bad nurse or that I need to worry about being a target of bullies once I'm working. I just need to figure out what the heck I'm doing and I am giving myself the luxury more than one day to do that before I start to worry.