Can nurses experience imposter syndrome?

I experienced this sense, but I didn’t realize it had a reputation. How qualified was he to titrate life-sustaining medications and manage airways in critically unwell patients? What right did she have to teach members of the family about end-of-life care? And should assessment really be used to make decisions that impact care?

What I experienced was

What is imposter syndrome?

The imposter phenomenon, first defined in 1978 by Clance and Imes, is used to “describe an internal experience of intellectual falsehood that appears to be particularly common and intense among a select sample of high-achieving women.” Merriam’s definition has been updated. -Webster is “a mental condition characterized by persistent doubt about one’s abilities and achievements, accompanied by fear of being exposed as a fraud, despite evidence of continued success.”

What does this mean for nurses?

As a occupation wherein change and advancement are sometimes sought, nursing shouldn’t be proof against the consequences of imposter syndrome. From the start of our careers as recent graduates, we’re thrust into a task where others depend on us for specialised knowledge and skills. Developing these skills takes time and frequent on-the-job training, so it’s clear that recent nurses developing a way of imposter syndrome is an actual risk. As we alter specializations and roles, advance our education, or change paths from a clinical environment to an academic or business environment, for instance, we’re again faced with recent challenges and experiences that take time to grow into.

The reality in nursing is that point, staffing and other staffing issues normally don’t allow us time to develop our skills and confidence at our own pace. We quickly attempt to catch up, sometimes even hiding imperfections, but low self-esteem is a breeding ground for imposter syndrome. We need to acknowledge these true feelings and do something to combat them. If we do not do that, burnout and job dissatisfaction will likely occur, and our own well-being will probably be in danger.

Impact on certain populations

Interestingly, in a scientific review on the prevalence, predictors, and treatment of imposter syndrome, quite a few studies have found that imposter syndrome is common amongst ethnic minorities. “The key finding from one of these studies is that imposter syndrome is a stronger predictor of mental health problems than stress related to minority status. This is particularly important given that research on ethnic minority populations tends to focus on their minority status and perceived experiences of discrimination, rather than on individual differences within the minority group, such as imposter syndrome” (Bravata et al., 2020).

Overcome self-doubt and recognize your strengths

It’s commonplace to doubt yourself when faced with recent challenges, but imposter syndrome can create an amazing fear of being discovered as a fraud. The American Psychological Association offers the next advice on methods to overcome the fear of imposter syndrome:

1. Talk to your mentors.
2. Recognize your knowledge.
3. Remember what you do well.
4. Realize that nobody is ideal.
5. Gradually reframe your pondering.
6. Get skilled help.

Imposter syndrome is a fact of life. It is believed that as much as 70% of individuals experience imposter syndrome sooner or later of their lives (Haney et al., 2018). Don’t let these feelings derail your goals and achievements. Believe in yourself, get help whenever you need it and spread awareness to assist others.

Bravata, D. M., Watts, S. A., Keefer, A. L., Madhusudhan, D. K., Taylor, K. T., Clark, D. M., Nelson, R. S., Cokley, K. O., and Hagg, H. K. (2020). Prevalence, predictors, and treatment of imposter syndrome: a scientific review. , (4), 1252–1275. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-019-05364-1

Clance, P. R., & Imes, S. A. (1978). The imposter phenomenon in high-achieving women: Dynamics and therapeutic intervention. (3), 241–247. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0086006

Haney, T. S., Birkholz, L., and Rutledge, C. (2018). Workshop on the impact of imposter syndrome on clinical nurses., (4), 189–194. https://doi.org/10.1097/NUR.0000000000000386

John, S. (2019). Impostor syndrome: why a few of us doubt our competence. (2), 23-24.

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Imposter syndrome. IN . Retrieved June 24, 2021 from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impostor%20syndrome

Weir, K. (2013). Feeling like a fraud? American Psychological Association. Retrieved July 12, 2021 from https://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2013/11/fraud