Are you your own worst critic?

6 I just started a new job on a Med-Surg floor, I have worked previously in pysch and SNFs for about 2 1/2 years, 2 as LVN and rest as a RN. I keep feeling like I suck as a nurse, can't get IVs, sometimes push medications too fast, report isn't as detailed as the veteran nurses. But the funny part is people tell me I am a good nurse; the patients like me, I'm knowledgable, I intervene quickly to keep them stable, I'm calm under pressure... so on and so forth. Do others also feel like they could be a lot better? I feel like by acknowledging my limitations and realizing I have room to improve, makes me a better nurse.
Quote from Nurse Joey Do others also feel like they could be a lot better?

Without a doubt, I'm my own worst critic. I've been a nurse for a year now. I feel like I'm the way you describe--competent, knowledgeable (at least as much as new nurse can be), do well with my patients. I've also had enough really sick patients to be calm under pressure. But, the more I feel like I'm a good nurse, the more I feel like I'm not. There's just wo much to know and I'm definitely not up with my veteran nurses. I hope my insecurity makes me a better nurse. I think it helps to know your teammates have your back. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be the good, but bad nurse I am.

Nothing to add - Davey's post is full of wisdom. The answer to the question is yes, I am my own worst critic and still sometimes have the doubts you describe. I think the trick is to tame those thoughts, but not to banish them altogether. For all the painful moments I've had worrying, I wouldn't trade them for I believe in the end the process has made me a safer nurse. Now learn to accept those compliments because they are just as real!

I am definitely my own worst critic and I have extremely high standards for myself. Going from psych to medical acute care is like beign a new grad......give yourself a break!!!!!!

Absolutely! I am my own worst enemy. I am constantly critiquing myself, thinking what I did well, what I could have done better on, things I caught, etc. I'm not as bad now but I still do it! Give yourself a break, OP!

I have worked long enough to realize that most nurses are critical, which makes them good nurses in many ways. And I am old enough to know that you cannot change all your "faults", but can learn to use them to your advantage. So, I recommend when you critique yourself, find a positive note. For instance, you might have gotten the medication 10 minutes late to the patient, but you got the medication to the patient and you spent that 10 minutes doing another important task. Criticism and beating up on yourself are two different things.

I actually think my mother is my worst critic, but I run a close second Perfection is not achievable by us mere mortals, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't strive to be as close to it as possible!

Yes, I am definitely my own worst critic. I always have been and probably always will be. As hard as it may be though, it is important to cut yourself some slack! I have to tell myself this every day and it does work. :spin:

i am my own worst enemy AND my own best friend.just *know and embrace thyself*.acknowledging your weaknesses and working on them...while also acknowledging your strengths and appreciating them.you sound like you're doing just fine.bravo.leslie

Hey, you can hide things from your co-workers, but you can't hide from yourself.A healthy concience will keep your nursing practice something you can live with.I am not an especially self-critical person, but that ability to be honest with myself helps me be a better nurse.

Joey, we all went through what you're going through. The only difference is your co-workers are awesome -- there is a saying "nurses eat their young" because some nurses quickly forget they were once where the new nurses are! Cheers!!!

Yes I am very critical of myself and my practice. As a charge nurse *I* feel as though I should know everything. Every policy, every med, every technical skill without a doubt. People say I'm a really good CN, but how can I be if I don't know it all?So cut yourself some slack and know that your self doubts will keep you humble and make you a better nurse, because you will strive for self improvement.