Overcome your doubts: Building confidence in medical work

It's common for medical professionals to experience doubt and uncertainty about their work. After all, there is a great deal of pressure on doctors and nurses to perform flawlessly, and a mistake can be a matter of life and death for your patients. In this high-pressure environment, how can you deal with insecurity?

The American Sentinel University recently published advice for nurses on how to build confidence in their work, but their advice is relevant to doctors, administrators, and support staff too. The tips we're sharing from them below can help anyone working in a medical setting to perform better at their job.

1. Admit your mistakes and acknowledge your limitations

It might seem counter-intuitive, but honestly admitting when you have made an error or acknowledging that there is something you struggle with can help to make you more confident. When they know about your shortcomings, your colleagues can help by supporting and mentoring you in these areas. They are also more likely to trust your strengths when you can openly admit your weaknesses.

2. Consider your body language

Think about the way in which confident people stand, move, and speak. They make eye contact, they stand still rather than fidgeting, and they move in a relaxed, comfortable way rather than being hurried. If you're feeling unsure, try improving your posture to improve your mood – pull your shoulders back, lift your chin, and breathe deeply and you'll feel more ready to take on a challenge.

3. Work on active listening

The technique of active listening requires you to fully concentrate on and engage with whomever is currently speaking to you. Rather than merely waiting for your turn to speak, you work to understand and retain all of the information given to you by the person you are conversing with. This is one way in which confident people convey empathy, and you can practice this technique with patients and colleagues to improve your communication skills.

4. Practice in the areas you struggle with

When there's a particular procedure or situation which makes you feel unsure about your own abilities, take a few hours to work on it. This could involve practicing a procedure, going through checklists, or making notes on a topic you find hard to understand.

5. Be realistic about your own standards

Perfectionism is the enemy of a confident person. You'll never be flawless, so try to set realistic standards for yourself and don't be too hard on yourself when you make an error. Set achievable goals for your improvement and you'll feel more confident about your progress.

For more advice on building your confidence, see the full article from the American Sentinel University.