Confidence building... For a human

DTS · 12-30-2012, 10:03 AM

So in one week, I will be starting my clinical rotations that are six weeks a piece at different hospitals for 8 months. I will be working with cardiologists in the cath lab. Being young, I'm quite nervous. It's like starting a new job 5 times in 8 months. I get nervous. I've had bad experiences working for doctors before and they can be quite rude, and intimidating.. (Jeez I sound like my dog).
I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how to not be so nervous in new surroundings. I'm trying to be outgoing and not let anything effect me.
I have to make a good impression so these people will want to hire me.
Once I get comfortable I'm fine.
When I get nervous, I double question myself on things I know how to do and ask a bunch of stupid I know this questions.
Does anyone work close with doctors? How do you handle it?
I should add that I'm nervous to get yelled at. I always give my best and I don't slack when it comes to work. And when someone yells I take it personal and I guess that's what I'm afraid of most even though I know it's going to happen eventually.

doggiedad · 12-30-2012, 10:15 AM

drop the wimpy, i get nervous attitude. step up to the plate and take
a swing. there's a homer in one of your swings.

Magwart · 12-30-2012, 11:33 AM

Not doctors, but another very high-pressure professional environment that has similar egos and personalities.

In my professional environment, I've learned that 90% of being respected is projecting confidence, intelligence, and competence: conveying through tone and body language, "I know what I'm doing." Most people naturally respond with, "Great, let me follow your lead" or "Great, I trust you to get the job done." I taught myself to do this even when I don't feel confident and become adept at concealing that.

Fortunately, humans are more easily fooled than dogs about the lack of confidence.

If you can "play act" professional confidence well, most people still react to you as though you are know what you are doing, in my experience. Try to play a role -- the character being the well-respected doctor you want to be. Eventually, you'll likely take on that role for real.

If you want to second-guess yourself, just don't tell people you are doing it. For example, you can go through and double-check matters and tell colleagues it is your own personal routine for ensuring accuracy--"this is what I always do because I'm careful." If you catch an error, fix it, because that's what good professionals do. Period.

Ask the "dumb question" in your head before saying it out loud--pause, think, realize you can answer it yourself, then move on. You can likely even privately verify that answer in a treatise or online resource, if you want a double-check.

arycrest · 12-30-2012, 01:49 PM

No suggestions ... just wanted to wish you my best and hope all goes well during your rotations ... sounds like a lot of hard work ahead and I'm positive you'll do well and I hope no one yells!!!

ksotto333 · 12-30-2012, 02:02 PM

I'm in agreement with the confident attitude. You know you can do this, so pull those shoulders back, stand straight and go for it..and I love Magwarts advice to ask yourself the "dumb" question first..

DTS · 12-30-2012, 02:30 PM

Thanks everyone. I definitely get where you are all coming from and will focus on those points

12-30-2012, 10:03 AM	#1 (permalink)
DTS Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 422	Confidence building... For a human So in one week, I will be starting my clinical rotations that are six weeks a piece at different hospitals for 8 months. I will be working with cardiologists in the cath lab. Being young, I'm quite nervous. It's like starting a new job 5 times in 8 months. I get nervous. I've had bad experiences working for doctors before and they can be quite rude, and intimidating.. (Jeez I sound like my dog). I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how to not be so nervous in new surroundings. I'm trying to be outgoing and not let anything effect me. I have to make a good impression so these people will want to hire me. Once I get comfortable I'm fine. When I get nervous, I double question myself on things I know how to do and ask a bunch of stupid I know this questions. Does anyone work close with doctors? How do you handle it? I should add that I'm nervous to get yelled at. I always give my best and I don't slack when it comes to work. And when someone yells I take it personal and I guess that's what I'm afraid of most even though I know it's going to happen eventually. Last edited by DTS; 12-30-2012 at 10:09 AM.

12-30-2012, 10:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
doggiedad Crowned Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Jenkintown,Pa. Posts: 12,708	drop the wimpy, i get nervous attitude. step up to the plate and take a swing. there's a homer in one of your swings. __________________ "Life Without A Dog Is A Life Unfulfilled"

12-30-2012, 11:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
Magwart Master Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 575	Not doctors, but another very high-pressure professional environment that has similar egos and personalities. In my professional environment, I've learned that 90% of being respected is projecting confidence, intelligence, and competence: conveying through tone and body language, "I know what I'm doing." Most people naturally respond with, "Great, let me follow your lead" or "Great, I trust you to get the job done." I taught myself to do this even when I don't feel confident and become adept at concealing that. Fortunately, humans are more easily fooled than dogs about the lack of confidence. If you can "play act" professional confidence well, most people still react to you as though you are know what you are doing, in my experience. Try to play a role -- the character being the well-respected doctor you want to be. Eventually, you'll likely take on that role for real. If you want to second-guess yourself, just don't tell people you are doing it. For example, you can go through and double-check matters and tell colleagues it is your own personal routine for ensuring accuracy--"this is what I always do because I'm careful." If you catch an error, fix it, because that's what good professionals do. Period. Ask the "dumb question" in your head before saying it out loud--pause, think, realize you can answer it yourself, then move on. You can likely even privately verify that answer in a treatise or online resource, if you want a double-check. Last edited by Magwart; 12-30-2012 at 11:35 AM.

12-30-2012, 01:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
arycrest Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 8,916	No suggestions ... just wanted to wish you my best and hope all goes well during your rotations ... sounds like a lot of hard work ahead and I'm positive you'll do well and I hope no one yells!!! __________________ Gayle ... Slider, Bruiser & Faith At the Bridge: Andy, Abbey, Tasha, Tex, Echo, Yukon, JR, Too, Niki, Bo, Ringer, Kelly, Honey & Mac

12-30-2012, 02:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
ksotto333 Master Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 736	I'm in agreement with the confident attitude. You know you can do this, so pull those shoulders back, stand straight and go for it..and I love Magwarts advice to ask yourself the "dumb" question first..

12-30-2012, 02:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
DTS Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 422	Thanks everyone. I definitely get where you are all coming from and will focus on those points

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