I read an article in yesterday’s local paper about new nurses leaving our profession and the desperate need for nurses to replace those who will be retiring.
I remember when I discovered I had what it took to be a nurse and I was in for the long run. It was my first year out of school in the ER during a gun shot wound trauma when I felt inside that I could do what I watched an experienced nurse do. She saved that man’s life as well as many others because of her calm confidence and authentic assurance. I watched her move into action and then took on part of the job because something inside me told me I could.
If a new nurse is not confident in her ability to take care of patients she or he will not stay in our profession. Confidence may come from longer exposure to different situations so residency programs may have a useful place as this article pointed out. However, unless the internal experience of confidence occurs a nurse will not choose our profession.
As nursing educators we must know what it takes to increase the chances of self confidence for new nurses. Ultimately, the nurse must demonstrate three characteristics. First, commitment to being confident. Second, control over her or his response to whatever happens because actions come after thoughts. In other words, she or he must choose being confident no matter what the circumstance. Third, look at things as a challenge as opposed to a threat. With these three qualities new nurses can get over, around, and through the life and death situations of our profession.
As nurses we must know and trust ourselves. Please share your thoughts. Do you agree? How can you build confidence within and pass it on to our future?
I agree that self-confidence is key in emergency situations, where there isn’t time to research, rehease, nor rehash. Hopefully this self-confidence will be borne out of training that prepares the nurse to react appropriately. As they say in the sports, “practices makes perfect.”
In “Outliers,” Malcom Gladwell makes that point that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to gain expert proficiency in tasks that require a high degree of body-mind coordination. I wonder what ideas for improved training are presently being discussed in Nursing.
You’re absolutely correct, “practices makes perfect” and confidence is increased as we practice with a supportive mentor. In nursing we’ve heard the expression for years that, “Nurses’ Eat Their Young.” When I talk with nursing students about this expressions they seem confused. This is horizontal hostility and sadly it occurs more often then we’d like to think about. Older nurses seem to forget how it was to learn something new.
New nurses can increase their ability to remember new information by keeping a notebook in their pocket to write down information. Older nurses must remember how it was to be new at the job and keep in mind that believing in the new nurse gives them an added boost.
We all can benefit from having someone in our corner and it can start with giving the added boost of energy that comes from the gift of support for those we work with.