Do you ever feel like an imposter, masquerading as a confident oncology nurse? If you do, you’re not alone and could be suffering from the imposter phenomenon.
From bedside to outpatient clinics, oncology nursing requires specialty knowledge and skills. Mentoring and residency programs can help new graduates gain confidence, and research shows that the longer a nurse stays in one role, the more likely the transition from novice to expert will occur. However, research also indicates that despite additional training and time, certain personalities are more prone to feelings of inadequacy and imposterism.
The Clance Imposter Phenomenon Scale (CIPS) has been used to evaluate the prevalence of the phenomenon in new graduate medical professionals. I recognized some of my own characteristics in the description of the imposter so I rated myself using the CIPS and to my relief discovered I was not impersonating confidence. I am not sure I would have been immune to the imposter syndrome when I first started in oncology. In fact, I believe that great mentors, ongoing education, and sharing the oncology experience with patients and families has helped bolster my confidence in oncology and nursing as a whole.
Take a minute and rate yourself using the CIPS, and no matter where you score, take another few minutes to internalize your awesomeness.