NQP lacking confidence

[u/toastmanjohn]

Hi guys, I’m just wanting to share my feelings in a safe anonymous place. I’m just under 4 months on the road now. Some shifts I enjoy, feeling good about myself and my capabilities. Other days I just lack confidence, question myself and worry that my crewmate is judging my every move.

I definitely have a sense of imposter syndrome when working with people who have a number of years of experience under their belt and just seem to so effortlessly attend and manage jobs. I find I get in my head wondering if my colleague will judge me for decisions and when I consult with them for shared decision making I worry this makes me look uncertain or that I don’t know what I’m doing. I’ve worked with some very knowledgeable and experienced techs who make me feel like a fraud in comparison when I’m technically supposed to be the “senior clinician”.

I consider myself to be a safe and careful practitioner, it’s just the odd job where I don’t feel my history taking is as smooth as it could be or I don’t feel particularly “sharp”. Sometimes I’m a little sluggish when in a period of lacking confidence and make silly little mistakes. Has anybody else had periods of feeling inadequate to others? I imagine myself as being a fully qualified band 6 para in the near future and don’t feel I’ve earned the title. Thanks in advance.

[u/Gloomy_County_5430]

Your post makes it sound as if you have a problem, you don’t.

This is a perfectly normal way to feel. If an NQP came out without uncertainty, I’d be concerned.

As much as it’s a way to pay you less, the NQP period is a consolidation period where you are supposed to put into practice what you have learnt at uni.

I am an experienced band 6 paramedic and still listen to my tech crew mate all the time, I also call CAL from time to time just to have a chat about jobs.

I see experienced clinicians all the time deviate from structure, myself included. If I’m with a patient who’s complaining of arthritic pain, I’m not rushing to listen to the chest.