Imposter Syndrome: Do I really belong here?

Imposter Syndrome: Do I really belong here?

In my opinion, nursing students are high achievers. Acceptance grade percentages are on the rise, and you have to be pretty darn smart to get an acceptance letter. But, people don't always talk about what it looks like once you're in. 

Suddenly, you're surrounded by 200 classmates who are all just as smart as you, or most of the time smarter than you. And for a lot of us, we are used to being at the top of our class in high school.

 I remember the day after our first quiz in freshman year, and there were multiple kids with tears in their eyes in the hallways when the grades were released. I remember hearing those kids say that they didn’t believe they were adequate enough to be a nurse - “how can I be responsible for someone’s life when I got a 60% on this quiz.” Honestly, it baffled me to hear this. How could we let thoughts like that into our heads? We were not adequate to be in a program like nursing or believed a singular test grade would impact how our future careers would play out. This was the first time I ever really paid attention to the idea of imposter syndrome.

Imposter syndrome is defined as a collection of feelings of inadequacy, despite evident success. The people who suffer from imposter syndrome often have thoughts of self-doubt, worry, and a sense that they aren't worthy of being in their position.

Now that I am going into the fourth year of my nursing degree, I have seen and felt signs of imposter syndrome repeatedly. During a clinical placement, when a buddy nurse questions me on medication, I don't know the answer, or if I am with a patient and a therapeutic conversation isn't flowing naturally. It’s hard to feel like you aren't doing a good job - but I’ll let you in on a bit of secret… You are doing a great job.

Remember: YOU ARE A STUDENT, and you are there to learn. You can make mistakes and be wrong occasionally. You wouldn't be in nursing school if you did not deserve the title of what it means to be a nurse. And people only become great at something new with time and practice, and sometimes that takes longer than we would like. You deserve to be here; you worked so hard for this; find the time to give yourself the credit you deserve. 

Written by: Holly Peacock

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