upset, overwhelmed

shape0fmyheart · Sep 24, 2004

I'm sorry, I don't have any advice for you but I just wanted to let you know that you're not alone. I am a very shy and quiet person and clinicals and patient interaction are still difficult for me (I am in my 3rd semester and I still feel disoriented and "new"). I'm trying to find ways to overcome this myself. Good luck and keep at it! It does get easier (a bit). I just keep trying to reassure myself that SOMEDAY I will feel confident and will be assertive enough.

GAgirl · Sep 24, 2004

Hang in there.

I was the same way....I was such an introvert when I started nursing school, and even after I graduated. Once I got into my job, I loosened up. I'm still pretty quiet and shy outside of work, but with my patients I am pretty comfortable. Just keep at it. You'll get accustomed to talking with patients and people in general.

kimhaw · Sep 24, 2004

I feel the same way sometimes I am confident w/the bookwork. But during checkoffs(we have not been to the hospital yet) I am very nervous and feel so awkward. This is my first sem. I am begining to wonder will I ever not feel so awkward b/c if my heart is pounding during checkoff how will I do during real patient care.

truern · Sep 24, 2004

This is going to sound crazy, but PRETEND you're outgoing...PRETEND you know how to interact with your patients..

Pretend long enough and it becomes second nature :)

JimmyMallo · Sep 24, 2004

I understand your situation. The first thing that you need to consider is that you are brand new to this, you really haven't been doing it long enough to make YOURSELF comfortable let alone a patient. Be patient and it will come to you. As you learn more you will find more to say. If you let your patients understand you are new they will understand. Also, learn to use some general open ended questions to let the patients talk to you. Sometimes the best thing you can do to make them comfortable is to let them know you are there for them to talk to.

Honeybun1206 · Sep 24, 2004

i think it's a major part of nursing to make the patients as comfortable as possible. so just talk to them as if you were talking to a friend/family member who is in need of care or comfort. or put yourself in the patient's place and think about what you would want a nurse to say to you if you were being hospitalized. just let your patient know you are there for them and that you do care. it really does help to put things in perspective.

one of my instructors says that shy and quiet people CAN and DO succeed in nursing. its just that the shyer/quieter people need to build up their communication skills and recognize that it may take time, while for others it comes naturally. when she said that, i was relieved because i am one of THE shyest and quietest people in class (i'm in my first sem. of nursing school), and i had always doubted my chance of succeeding because of my quiet/shy personality. after that day, i felt more confident about my path towards my nursing career..

anyway, hope my advice helps. good luck and dont give up! :)

not now, RN · Sep 24, 2004

It's not just the quiet/shy ones.

I'm the loudest person in my class. I can talk a mile a minute to anyone about anything (classmates, someone on the street, janitor, you name it) but I still freeze up with my patients. I think it's because what I consider acceptable and what others consider acceptable are not the same, I have to put forth a professional attitude so I err on the side of caution. It takes me a while to gauge what kind of person I'm dealing with but when I do, it's generally OK.

Plus you have to consider that your patient isn't going to be comfortable with you right off the bat. They also have to warm up to you. So, pretend you're comfortable and (more than likely) that will relax your patient which will relax you. It's a nice little cycle.

cherokeesummer · Sep 24, 2004

I am also a very shy person, and I do get nervous, but I just try to smile. I smile alot because it helps at least to keep me from making a freaky face!

Try alot of practicing...ask your teachers or an expeirenced nurse if you can watch them, gather some of their "skills" the unofficial skills. I was amazed when on one of my first clinicals last semester one of hte patients in the long term care facility would not allow me to listen to an apical pulse or lung sounds. My instructor came in adn started talking about growing up on a tobacco farm and the whole time she talked, she did all this. It was unbelievable!

Anyway - I also say practice!!!! Talk to yourself when you are driving, sitting, going to bed, watching tv, cooking dinner - whatever, just pretend a patient is there and carry on some practice conversations. :):):):)

angelac1978 · Sep 24, 2004

This is going to sound crazy, but PRETEND you're outgoing...PRETEND you know how to interact with your patients..
Pretend long enough and it becomes second nature :)

I've gotta agree w/ this. I was always introverted or "backwards" as my momma says, but when I went back to school I decided to try and approach new people and start up conversations. Usually they are just as nervous/shy/ intimidated as you are. It feels awkward at first because you are stepping out of your comfort zone, but after a while it starts to feel more natural. Now I'm not saying to be totally fake because your pt's will see right through that. Also, this is new to you, I would worry if you weren't apprehensive and a little uncomfortable. I personally love clinicals, much more than lecture, but everyone has their own comfort zone. Stick with it, you'll start feeling more at home!

A

Honeybun1206 · Sep 24, 2004

It's not just the quiet/shy ones.
I'm the loudest person in my class. I can talk a mile a minute to anyone about anything (classmates, someone on the street, janitor, you name it) but I still freeze up with my patients. I think it's because what I consider acceptable and what others consider acceptable are not the same, I have to put forth a professional attitude so I err on the side of caution. It takes me a while to gauge what kind of person I'm dealing with but when I do, it's generally OK.

sorry.. i never thought of it in that way before. i always thought that talkative people would probably have it easier since they seem to have the "people skills".. i was wrong. my apologies..

not now, RN · Sep 24, 2004

sorry.. i never thought of it in that way before. i always thought that talkative people would probably have it easier since they seem to have the "people skills".. i was wrong. my apologies..

None needed, I was just letting you know that we may talk a lot but we still get nervous.