Self-Assessment

Since I graduated from nursing school and obtained my nursing license in the summer of 2011 I have worked in both long term care and acute care professional nursing settings. At this time I have been working as a nurse for approximately two and one half years. I strongly believe that making the decision to go to nursing school was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I see my nursing knowledge and skills as a privilege and I am grateful for every day that I can continue to practice nursing and touch the lives of the many amazing people that I come into contact with every day. Over the past few years I have spent in the nursing field I have grown to learn that I have many personal strengths and weaknesses. The greatest strength that I feel that I have as a nurse is my positive attitude. I have a sincere desire to assist all of my patients in their recovery. I consider myself to be a very sensitive, optimistic, and conscientious individual and I believe that I effectively apply these attributes to my patient encounters. Another important strength that I have is patience. I consider myself to be a very patient individual and I do not become easily frustrated in the clinical environment which can be quite taxing and stressful for many nurses at times. Lastly, I believe that an additional personal strength I have is my determination. I love to learn and when proposed with a question or concern I will investigate the issue until I feel that I have sought an appropriate answer to provide for myself or my patient. In addition to these strengths I have also identified a few personal weaknesses for myself. My first weakness is lack of experience. As I have only been practicing nursing for about two years I lack the level of clinical experience, and expertise nursing judgment that may of my fellow senior coworkers demonstrate. I continue to lean every day using my fellow senior coworkers as great mentors and guides. The second weakness that I have identified is a personal lack of assertiveness. I have always been a shy and reserved individual and at times during my nursing career I have found it somewhat difficult to speak up to my fellow coworkers or physicians when I have had issues or concerns needing to be addressed. However, I know that it is my duty as a nurse to be a patient advocate and ensure that all of my patients receive safe and optimal health care at all times. I feel that over time I am growing more comfortable and confident in myself in these situations. Overall I feel that I will continue to grow and strive as a Registered Nurse. Each day I gain new knowledge, face and overcome new challenges, and strive to meet new goals. I hope that as time goes on I will be able to overcome my current weakness and continue to strengthen my practice as a nurse. I hope that through continuing my practice and education I will grow to become the best nurse that I can be and in turn provide the best quality level of care to all of my patients that is possible.