Student Blogs

By Richa Kohli

Let’s talk about confidence as a nursing student!

Self-doubt usually keeps us on our toes and helps us practice nursing safely for our patients. However, too much self-doubt can become problematic and hinder our growth as a nurse. Self-confidence is crucial to overcome learning gaps, stop feeling like an imposter, and fight school/work anxiety and stress. When I did my clinical rotations, I worked hard to overcome self-doubt and develop my confidence as a nurse. Some of the things that helped me become more confident are:

?Remind yourself how you got here:

You studied hard, learned skills, killed it at clinicals, passed tests, and got a job/placement because of your hard work. Don’t forget how hard you’ve worked and how much knowledge you possess. Remind yourself of your past successes and know that you got this, too!

?Make progress each day and reward yourself:

Learn something new each day, and when you perform a new skill you just learned, appreciate it. It will help you build confidence in your learning skills and performance.

?Become a sponge:

Take in all the knowledge as much as you can. Always show initiative to learn new skills. Do not think twice before grabbing that chance if you find an opportunity presented at your workplace to learn something new. New skills and new knowledge will help you build confidence in your competence as a nurse.

?Specialize (learn everything about the field you’re practicing in):

I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to always keep learning. Not only will studying and learning information about each specialty of nursing help you gain more knowledge and provide better care, but it will also give you an edge and unique confidence.

?Have a positive mindset:

It is essential to have a positive mindset towards your learning journey, inclusive of your successes and your drawbacks. Having a negative outlook on constructive criticism or ruminating over mistakes will hinder your learning. Instead, look at each error and drawback as an opportunity to learn from it.

? Don’t forget that you are human:

Before comparing yourself with other peoples’ successes and learning journeys, remember that each student is different. You will learn at your own pace, and you are HUMAN to have days of self-doubt. However, don’t let those days dishearten you and continue to do your best.

? Share your successes:

I personally found this crucial in the development of my confidence levels. Sharing some of your successes and things you learned during clinicals or in class with friends and family will insinuate a feeling of accomplishment in you and help you become more confident in your practice.

These were just some of the tips to help you build confidence as a nursing student. Like what I always say, "fake it 'til you make it." Don't hesitate to ask for help, and don't feel bad about asking questions. Your clinical instructors and preceptors are there to help you succeed and become the nurse you want to be. So don't hold back even if you're scared of someone thinking you're stupid for asking a question. Because after getting the answer, you're growing for yourself, and they were once in your shoes, too. Don't let anyone or anything bring you down! Allow yourself to make mistakes and grow.