I Am Not Smart Enough to be a Nurse . . . Yet.

I don’t understand pharmacology . . .

Does that sound like something that has run through your head before?  Imagine if we changed that to:

I don’t understand pharmacology . . . yet

Sadly, as humans, we like to judge ourselves based on what we either are or aren’t. We don’t leave much room for growth and achievement when it comes to accepting ourselves and judging ourselves. 

Learning to apply the word “yet” to our view of ourselves is a powerful way to find an increased ability to grow and accept ourselves.

Consider these two statements: 

Each of these statements essentially says the same thing, but applying the word “yet” to the end of the second statement suggests that this individual sees themselves as being in progress rather than being a failure (like the first).

This concept of YET comes from the psychologist, Carol Dweck. 

Satheesh Gopalan, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

When I heard her talk about this concept in a TED talk, it resonated very strongly with me.

When approaching a problem,  instead of wondering, "am I even smart enough to solve this problem?”  replacing that thinking,  “maybe I just haven't solved it YET”.

Nursing is an ever-changing field. You can learn the tricks, skills, and the science required to be a great nurse, but you must understand that we are all evolving beings with so much to learn and achieve. Simply applying this one little word in your life gives you the power to achieve extraordinary things.

Now I want to share with you one of the MOST powerful stories I have ever heard about the power of MINDSET.  

May 6th, 1954

It was a Thursday in Oxford, England, and in one moment an entire mindset was changed, resulting in a huge shift that is still impacting us as humans TODAY.  

So what was the Mindset that had changed?? 

Before that day in May, it was a long-held belief that humans were physically incapable of running a mile in less than 4 minutes.  Not only did we think it impossible, but we truly believed that you would die if you ran a 4 min mile.  

The person who broke the 4-min mile was named Roger Banister. 

Unknown (United Press International), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

And as amazing as his accomplishment was, what I find truly fascinating is what happened 46 days later, another guy - John Landy - broke the 4-minute mile as well. 

John Landy just happened to be Roger Bannister's training buddy. 

What I think is so amazing about this is that, for centuries, this couldn't be done - this impossible feat just couldn't be done.  But the moment John saw Roger do it he said, "oh, well if Roger can do it, I can do it too.  If he can do it, anyone can do it." 

Ten years later, in 1964, the first high school student ran a mile in under 4 minutes.  

In the 70 years since this mindset was broken, over 1,700 more people have done it.  A mile has now been run in 3 minutes and 43 seconds. 

In the 70 years BEFORE May 6th, 1954, NOT ONE person did it. 

Now, over 1,700 people have done it.  

That is the POWER of MINDSET.

What I want you guys to know, what I need you to take away from this, is that you CAN do this!  

You are not the first

• high school dropout
• single parent
• full-time employee
• parent of 8 kids
• male
• person in their 50s
• person from poverty

to become a nurse.

It can be done, which just means now we have to figure out how.  That's all.  It can be done, so let's figure out how to do it.  And if you need help we can figure it out together.  

You can get through nursing school, you can pass the NCLEX, and you can be a great nurse! 

I want you to look at me, look at the nurses you know, look at all the instructors at NURSING.com.  And realize that, if we can do it, you can do it, too.  I want you guys to really believe that. 

Some of you may already my story, how I dropped out of nursing school.  I share story because I want you guys to think, "if Jon can do it, I can do it."  My story is not unique, it is not special, but it is my story of getting through nursing school.   

"Nursing is not for everyone. It takes a very strong, intelligent, and compassionate person to take on the ills of the world with passion and purpose and work to maintain the health and well-being of the planet. No wonder we’re exhausted at the end of the day! "

—Donna Wilk Cardillo 

The feelings of inadequacy may be something you have to fight every day, but you can win that fight by using the Power of YET. 

So let's dig in, just a bit more, into this powerful concept of Mindset and the Power of Yet! 

Mindsets

Developing a Growth Mindset 

Developing a growth mindset involves cultivating a belief that your abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication, hard work, and learning from experiences.

Here are some strategies to help you foster a growth mindset:

1. Embrace Challenges:

   • Approach challenges as opportunities to learn and grow rather than as threats.
   • See difficulties as a natural part of the learning process and a chance to develop new skills.

2. View Effort as a Path to Mastery:

   • Understand that putting in effort is a key factor in achieving mastery.
   • Value the process of learning and improvement, not just the end result.

3. Learn from Criticism:

   • See feedback, including constructive criticism, as valuable input for personal and academic growth.
   • Use feedback to identify areas for improvement and adjust your approach accordingly.

4. Celebrate Effort and Progress:

   • Acknowledge and celebrate your efforts, progress, and achievements, no matter how small.
   • Recognize that improvement is a journey, and success is often the result of continuous effort.

5. Persist in the Face of Setbacks:

   • View setbacks and failures as opportunities to learn and bounce back stronger.
   • Develop resilience by staying persistent and learning from mistakes.

1. Cultivate Curiosity:

   • Foster a natural curiosity about the world around you.
   • Approach new challenges with an open and inquisitive mindset, eager to learn and explore.

2. Take Risks and Learn from Experiences:

   • Don't be afraid to take on new challenges or step out of your comfort zone.
   • Learn from both successes and failures, extracting valuable lessons from each experience.

3. Surround Yourself with a Growth-Oriented Community:

   • Engage with individuals who exhibit a growth mindset.
   • Seek support and inspiration from peers, mentors, or role models who encourage continuous learning and development.

4. Use Positive Affirmations:

   • Replace negative self-talk with positive affirmations that reinforce a belief in your ability to learn and improve.
   • Challenge and reframe negative thoughts about your abilities.

5. Set Learning Goals:

   • Focus on setting goals related to the process of learning rather than solely on performance outcomes.
   • Break larger goals into smaller, manageable steps to track and celebrate progress.
     
     

Remember that developing a growth mindset is an ongoing process. Be patient with yourself and consistently practice these strategies.

Its ok if you don't have a growth mindset . . . yet. 

Over time, you'll find that cultivating a growth mindset positively influences your approach to challenges, learning, and personal development.

Give yourself room to grow, and give yourself the chance to learn. You will break your own personal 4-minute mile, whatever that may be.

Know that the reality is you just don’t feel like an expert … YET.  

Try this small change as you work through those difficult topics in nursing school and see what a BIG difference it can make. 

I believe in you, go out and be your best self today.

Happy Nursing.