Imposter Syndrome, defined by Cambridge Dictionary as ‘the feeling that your achievements are not real or that you do not deserve praise or success’, is unfortunately not unusual amongst the nursing community.
Whether you’ve just started your first placement, or have 5 solid years of practice under your belt, the feeling that you are a fish out of water can hit at any point in your medical career.
Ultimately, there is always going to be more to learn - that’s part of the excitement of being a nurse! It’s OK to feel a little bewildered at times, but when imposter syndrome starts to impact your mental health then it’s time to take action.
In this blog, our recruitment experts share 3 tips for coping with imposter syndrome at work…
First, here are some signs that you are struggling with imposter syndrome:
You feel like you don’t belong
You believe everyone else worked hard to get to the same position as you, whereas you were just ‘lucky’
You find it hard to accept praise
You strive for perfection, often to an unobtainable level
Failure is one of your biggest fears
A lack of confidence in your achievements / ability to succeed
1. Ask for help
Feeling uncertain about a lecture you just attended? Have some questions about a procedure you just shadowed? Just flat out overwhelmed? Talk to someone about how you’re feeling! We promise your mentor/colleague/manager has been in the same boat a million times before. It is always better to ask if you are unsure, especially if the issue can be explained/resolved easily. Even if you just need a bit of reassurance that you’re on the right track, people are always more willing to help out than you’d think!
Top tip: don’t ask someone a complicated question when they are in the middle of helping a patient or running to a bleep call…then they may not feel so obliged to share their knowledge.
2. Take on new challenges
It may sound counterproductive to say yes to new opportunities when you’re low on self-confidence, but the worst thing you can do is turn down an offer that could vamp up your career just because the little voice in your head is trying to snatch the reins. In fact, taking on new work or a new role can help you rediscover your confidence and remind you what you are capable of. Even if you’re uncertain, remember that there is a reason you are being offered the opportunity in the first place - go get it!
3. Celebrate the little wins
Day in, day out, nurses help save lives and provide care for those in need. Don’t be so hard on yourself, because the work you do is incredible in a way that not many people can brag about. Make an active effort to celebrate the little wins, such as making a patient smile, acing a module or getting a pat on the back from your supervisor for doing a good job on the ward that day. You could celebrate by making a note of each achievement to return back to in a moment of self-doubt, or by doing something that makes you happy like making a cup of tea or treating yourself to your favourite food after work.
This is your reminder that everyone has feelings of not being good enough now and again - even some of the most successful figures in our society! As long as you look after yourself and remember that the feeling is fleeting and nothing to do with your true abilities.
To get in touch with our team, drop us an email on info@mcmmedical.co.uk.
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