Lacking confidence in my work

Re: Lacking confidence in my work

Vicky RVN — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 08:45:38 GMT

I can understand how you feel totally. I'm hoping to be qualified in a few weeks. I started nursing degree many moons ago, then left it to work in a training practice but didn't start my training there before moving on the the place I am in now. Have been there 3 and a half years now. I feel that some of my colleagues have more confidence in me than I do in myself. I know that I look after animals to the best of my ability but feel that I should know more. One of my concerns with staying where I am post qualifying is like others have said, getting stuck in a rutt and set in my ways. I don't want to be one of those nurses who I dislike, who have the attitude of 'this is the way we do it'. Because there are other ways of things being done, and just because that's not what you're used to doesn't mean they are wrong. SO I am now spreading my wings and in 4 weeks time I'll be in my new job! I am so scared that I am going to make an idiot of myself because I don't know what I should as a 95% qualified nurse. But I am also very excited about the challenge I have ahead of me. Once I'be got my practical exam done I will be reading my text books trying to absorb information! I am hoping the move will force me into being more confident in my skills. I don't think I could be a locum...the thought of it fills me with fear...I have a fear of the unknown. I think I'd end up ill with stress because before each new locum I'd be a nervous wreck. Sorry that turned out to be a bit of a ramble!

Re: Lacking confidence in my work

Susan Jackson — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 19:15:38 GMT

[quote user="Maisy"]

I think sometimes staying at the same practice you've trained and qualified at can make you and your skills feel a bit 'stagnant', especially in smaller practices. If you're happy there and don't want to leave, you could add your details to emergency clinics to act as locum cover or even see if you could shadow at a referral place just to try something different. Keep up with practical CPD as this will help your confidence and knowledge.

If you don't feel as though you can progress at your current place maybe see about locuming for a while until you feel that you want another permanent position? Locuming is a good way of building confidence and using your skills - lots of referral practices/emergency clinics are looking for locums so this would help you a lot.

Good luck in whatever you choose

[/quote]

I remember when I qualified and thinking I'm noy ready I still can't do stuff really well. I moved jobs as soon as I qualified as I felt I wasn't learning anything new and I was shocked at the varying styles of working that Vets have. But it was working with them and other nurses showing me different techniques that you start to form your own. You start off with borrowed techniques and you grow.

I had a feeling of inadequacy today because I'm busy and I don't have time to get everything done, and I haven't cleaned everyhting and........ then I told myself to shut up!

Re: Lacking confidence in my work

Gillian Davidson — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 19:05:13 GMT

I have just qualified. I have worked in 2 practices, one for a year pre training and my current one for all my training. I have been in touch with the emergency/referral practice here about getting locum work. Hopefully when I get my registration through i can begin.

My current practice can be a little "old school" so want to get experience with fancy toys and newer ways of doing things. Feel I should do it now before i get too set in my ways.

I feel that people will be more understanding with me as a newly qualified nurse, than if I did it in in a few years. They would maybe be less patient with someone who had been qualifed a good while. Thats just how I view it

Re: Lacking confidence in my work

Sal the 1st — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 21:46:48 GMT

I started locumming because I wanted to 'try out' a practice and see whether there were any nice ones still left out there. At least by locumming I could have a week or so to make my mind up before making the commitment if there was a permanent job on offer. It also gave people in the practice chance to see what I was like and if they thought that I would fit in with what they already had. Best thing for me from locumming was that when I hit on a really bad practice I knew that I was only there for a limited time. Its good for seeing how different places work and the different ways of doing things. When you went to a really good practice you could nearly always tell very early on.

Huge downside for me was travelling using public transport and using a locum agency that took such a huge slice of my earnings that sometimes i ended up working for less than the permanent employees at the practice.

in saying that you can meet some incredibly friendly people in various practices and make some really good friends.

Re: Lacking confidence in my work

Maisy — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 21:26:57 GMT

I started locuming to gain new skills, see different practices and just have a bit more flexibility that you don't get in a permanent role. I would say for anyone who feels in a rut at work or perhaps doesn't feel particularly confident, locuming can help with this albeit its not for everyone.

Likes - flexible working, see different practices and work with lots of lovely veterinary staff (luckily haven't encountered too many stroppy ones!), good pay!

Dislikes - when doing short term locums it can be a bit lonely moving from one place to the next often, no pay if sick/on holiday obviously On the whole its a good learning curve and can help with confidence in your skills and socially too.

Even doing it for six months or so before settling back permanently somewhere is a good way of seeing how things are done elsewhere and picking up some new info on the way. Good Luck!

Re: Lacking confidence in my work

flow * — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 21:09:41 GMT

I havent been qualified long but knew I had to leave my old practice as I was a little stuck in a rut so to speak. I am not a very confident person and was really worried about moving. Its not the practical side for me but theary, Im so forgetful of things and rubbish at terminology. I really beat myself up about it all the time and doubt myself as a nurse as I cant always tell the trainees why and what its called cos I forget........or sometimes I lack the confidence. Anyway my point is Iv moved and I am sh**ting myself really Im totally out my comfort zone. I am trying to think of it as experience and I will build my confidence up as I spend more time there. And I was thinking one day about locuming for the experience......and everyone so far is saying its good for confidence which is what I need.

If anyone looks at this who has locumed why did you locum and what did you like and dislike?

Re: Lacking confidence in my work

bongo — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:21:29 GMT

I was beggining to feel stagnant and unused in my job since qualifying and am now moving onto referral practice. its completely out of my comfort zone but I am really looking forward to it.

it got to a point where I was no longer learning anything new and Im the type of nurse who always wants to learn stuff and be very hands on. I so happy I made this decision, I cant wait to start my new job. I am doing quite a bit of studying now to try and swat up because the practice where I am now is first opinion and rarely does anything beyond routine ops etc.

Sounds like you are an extremely competent nurse whose skills and knowledge are underused, do something about it now before you start to feel bitter about vet nursing as a whole.

Re: Lacking confidence in my work

Jeniflower — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 03:10:38 GMT

Amy,

its such a shame to read this but I definately agree with others. Locum work will help to build your confidence and meet other nurses who may have been in a similar situation as yourself. Just remember how hard you hard to work for your qualification, don't let it go to waste!!

Re: Lacking confidence in my work

Katie B — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 02:19:06 GMT

I doubt myself all the time but you just have to keep having faith in yourself otherwise you will forever feel down on yourself. You did really well in your exams so your obviously a brilliant nurse so stop worrying. Agree about locuming and finding another practise so you can start afresh. If you get nervous about trying new things out then just go for it. Even if you don't do it brilliantly you will in time. Thats how we all progress, trial and error. Good luck, let us know how you get on!

Re: Lacking confidence in my work

Mac Feather — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 23:05:20 GMT

I think we all go through periods of doubting our abilities and have spells where self confidence wobbles.

I think you will know when the times right to move on to another practice. I remember when I moved from my first job- I sat up night after night reading text books etc as was convinced Id be rubbish. It was scarey making the move but people were patient and soon settled in.

Would it be worth seeing if you could see practice at an emergency clinic- that way you could dip you toe in the water so to speak and see what its all about.

Re: Lacking confidence in my work

Nick Shackleton — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 22:00:07 GMT

If your interested in other areas that maybe are not covered at your practice ie referral work. Maybe contact you local centre and say that you might be interested and whether they would allow you to go in for the day

or as others have suggested locum.

Your qualified now so spread your wings!

Re: Lacking confidence in my work

Phrin Vernon RVN — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 21:51:42 GMT

I agree with the others - don't feel so hard on yourself! The very fact you are worring about this, and posting a thread shows you are a good nurse!

I have worked in some small practices, and they can be very set in their ways. I think Maisy's is a good idea about locuming or shadowing at other practices.

Good luck, and I am sure you will be fine!

Re: Lacking confidence in my work

Maisy — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 20:01:37 GMT

Good luck in whatever you choose

Re: Lacking confidence in my work

Stella Skelton RVN — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:42:09 GMT

Hey Sweet,

Please don't be so hard on yourself. You can't be a bad nurse if you worry too much. Just because your practice doesn't offer much variety, that does not mean that YOU are a bad nurse.

Maybe try looking for new jobs by you. Your reason for leaving your current job would be that you want to improve and expand your nursing skills therefore improving your nursing repertoire.

Please don't be so hard on yourself.

xxx