Personal Challenges In Assuming The Role Of A Nurse

I believe that the most effective professionals are those who understand themselves, both their strengths and weaknesses, so they can develop strategies to meet the demands of their environment. As I was reflecting on my character, I identified personal characteristics, shaped by societal influences, that I envision will hinder my ability to demonstrate the attributes outlined by the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) when assuming the professional role of a nurse. I am unobtrusive and tend to avoid any confrontation as I like to be seen as a team player. I strive to make everyone around me happy. However, as a consequence, I neglect my own mental wellbeing. For example, I rarely deny requests or favours for others, even at the sake of my own comfort, which usually results in an overload of work and pressure. In addition, I tend to conceal some grievances and I never state when I am overworked or have reached an emotional or physical limitation. Furthermore, over the years, I have become cognizant of the fact that it is challenging for me to take initiative in a new setting. Specifically, I find it difficult to contribute original ideas or challenge ideas presented by my superiors because I’m intimidated by working alongside experienced professionals. Social influence plays a major role in shaping these personal attributes. In particular, I believe that compliance is what influences my attributes within a social context as it involves going along with explicit instructions or requests from others.

Overall, the personal attributes mentioned above will have a direct impact on two major qualities: advocacy and innovation. My ability to advocate for my patients will be hindered if I choose to avoid confrontation within the healthcare team. I have to set aside my own discomfort that comes along with confrontation and realize that the patient and their needs are more important. Additionally, showing initiative for new ideas and being involved through taking action is critical when assuming a nursing role. My fear of challenging experienced professionals will most definitely prohibit my efforts to take action, present new ideas or challenge existing ones. However, I need to remind myself that I provide a fresh perspective and by contributing and challenging ideas early on I have the chance to increase productivity and deliver proactive patient care. One strategy I can utilize to help manage these challenges is seeking social support from colleagues. Not only will they be a significant resource for coping with stressors, but running my thoughts and ideas by them will provide me with the confidence needed to voice my opinions. In addition, a great strategy to help me successfully demonstrate innovation within my practice is learning to recognize opportunities to appropriately question and examine practices and utilizing open and transparent processes when developing responses.

Nevertheless, reflecting on my personal attributes made me realize that I am demonstrating great accountability by recognizing personal capabilities, knowledge base and areas for development. It is essential for me to be transparent whilst communicating with the healthcare team, patients, families and myself. It is no longer just my own mental sanity that is on the line, but it is the comfort and lives of others in need of my care and guidance. Lastly, it is pivotal to recognize that I carry the power to create positive impacts on productivity within the healthcare team and patient care.