As a brand new nurse, I did not know what I was doing. No one does. School teaches with the most ideal environments and in the most compliant patients. I don’t think nursing school went over treatment of alcohol detox, only that in 72-hours they will show symptoms. In my early days of nursing, I went into work, smiled at my patients and asked several questions to everyone around me. Every shift I felt awkward. I eventually recognized the more common diagnosis found on my unit and became more comfortable. My current employer during the application process, regarding salary, I put a number that made me stop and think. Am I really worth this much? I ran down my experience and qualifications. Even as someone that’s been a nurse for several years, I still get imposter syndrome.
What is imposture syndrome?
Imposture syndrome is self doubt when you are knowledgeable and qualified about the field or specific position, and you fear being exposed. This is a psychological phenomenon that can occur in any field or position, not just in nursing. In the arts, writers, skilled, or educated positions, this can happen to anyone.
Imposture Syndrome as a new nurse or student
There is so much to learn between anatomy and physiology, medication, procedures, test, equipment, and everything else, no wonder it’s stressful. Oh, and by the way, as time goes on, most of that will change. The truth of the matter as a student you learn to nurse from the most idealistic perspective. All the information is devolved in large quantities over a short period with the expectation of regurgitation for an exam. Your nursing school grades do not dictate the quality nurse the student will become. The new nurse who doesn’t clarify and question situations, scare me, questioning shows thought and critical thinking. No student or new nurse is expected to know everything. After putting in your time and effort at school and pass the NCLEX, the student is an RN, simply put.
You will never know everything
To hold an RN license doesn’t mean they can full fill any nursing position. The RN license allows for practice in the field, but a great deal of training is needed to transition from hospital floor to outpatient, or even amongst the floor neuro, tele, pediatrics, ICU, or psych. There is a certain nurse that can float like a cardiac nurse to a neuro unit, but an easier assignment needs to be assigned. A maternity nurse on a med-surg floor may not even have a patient load, depending on the state and hospital. No nurse will ever know everything and no one expects it either.
Everyone experiences imposture syndrome. Sometimes more experience makes you doubt yourself even more. Appreciate your experience and be kind to yourself.