Self-Assessment and Goal Setting Assessment In assessing my future aspirations, in relation to my professional life, I aspire to be able to conduct meetings and give educational presentations to staff in a professional and relaxed manner. In being in a supervisory position currently, there are many meetings and educational opportunities offered, but I have avoided presenting during any of these due to my fear of public speaking. Utilizing the skills gained through public speaking, would greatly assist me in my position as house supervisor.
Continually work with different levels of practice, from housekeeping personnel to physicians and administrators, and the use of effective communication is paramount in maintaining and running the hospital smoothly. In many situations, I have a short time to explain and effectively communicate an issue needing prompt attention. In using confident and effective delivery, to describe the issue at hand, matters can be resolved successfully. Another aspect involves active listening. As stated above, many issues arise that I am called to deal with some involving very emotional situations.
In using active listening, and being aware of body posturing techniques, it is easier to diffuse and gain the trust of individuals involved. As I have eluded to, I have a very real fear of public speaking. I do not ever remember being comfortable speaking in front of a group. The worst experience for me was a several years ago when I was asked to participate in a group presentation highlighting our emergency room practices in front of various administrators, physicians, and directors of other departments within the Omaha area.
My part consisted of speaking about the patients we service, and I decided to hold a wilting plant as a symbol of the vulnerable patients we treat. During my speech, I was shaking so bad, the 1 OF 4 leaves started to fall onto the floor. At that point I became so distracted, in trying to stop shaking, that I forgot what I was saying. Luckily, one of my co-workers stepped in and finished the program for me. Since then, I have avoided situations where I have to present whenever possible. In describing my strengths related to public speaking, the main one would be in knowledge of the subject I am discussing.
I would never get up in front of a group to speak without first researching and being knowledgeable of the topic. I feel you need to be well informed and able to answer questions that may arise in relation to the subject matter. The list of weakness I possess regarding public speaking is much longer. In being afraid of speaking publicly | have a problem with my hands shaking, dry mouth, inability to make effective eye contact with audience members while remembering my speech, and using fluctuations in my voice. Honestly, I feel to be good at public speaking, I need to work on each one of these issues.
To keep people engaged and interested in what you are speaking about, you need to be able to make eye contact, not speak in a monotone voice, and it distracts from the speech if you are seeing someone shaking and struggling to remember their words while speaking. In viewing my own interpersonal communication skills I feel I possess good communication skills when dealing with small groups. I have been told I am a good listener and easily approachable by staff. I have had staff wait until I am working to discuss certain situations, because they feel comfortable in speaking with me.
I try to remain non-judgmental in situations and listen to all sides of an issue before making my own judgements. My weakness also involves my listening skills. I sometimes am extremely busy, being pulled in many directions at once and during these times I have interrupted someone speaking to me, forcing them to get to the core of their concern. I also interject my ideas at times when I should wait for others to voice their opinions. As mentioned, this usually happens when I am hurried so being cognizant of these traits is the key in avoiding them.
Goal Setting Three areas I would like to improve on when speaking publically: 1) Stop visible signs of anxiety while speaking (shaking, dry mouth, stiff posture)-improve through deep breathing, using effective pauses when feeling anxious, and rehearsing speeches in the mirror to decrease anxiety. 2) Effectively engage audience members while speaking- utilize eye contact with all members of the audience, change voice fluctuations, and use of props or visual aids. 3) Elude a level of confidence when speaking- established through thorough research and knowledge of the subject matter.
Relaxed posture and confidently answering questions that arise. I feel that listening is a skill everyone, including myself, needs improvement in doing effectively. I want to listen intently to others ideas, and correlate them with my own thoughts before coming to a conclusion on a subject. I also will need to concentrate on what is being said by others, especially on days we are presenting, as | will be nervous and worrying about my upcoming speech and do not want to miss out on someone else’s thoughts on a particular subject.
Another area I would like to improve upon is my body language. It is very important, especially in my position, to be confident and reassuring when interacting with others. I believe people have a preconceived notion of someone prior to them saying one word, so how you initially present is of great value. I need to work on my posture in standing or sitting up straight, using my voice appropriately, and in use of eye contact and appropriate body language in interacting with others. As previously mentioned, I do well in speaking with individuals or in small group settings.
I am told | have a very calm demeanor and am easily approachable and enjoy interacting with staff, patients, and their families. I always smile, use eye contact, and greet people with a hand shake and introduction when meeting them in an attempt to establish rapport. Another area I believe I do well in regarding communication is my ability to empathize. Working with physicians, patients, and families can be very stressful for staff especially if staffing is suboptimal. Taking the time to listen to staff’s concerns and being available to assist whenever needed goes a long way in establishing a trusting relationship.
Lastly, when involved in dialogues I feel I have confidence in my knowledge pertaining to the nursing profession. In being a nurse for the past 31 years, and working in a variety of hospital settings throughout my career, in most instances I am confident regarding my decisions and knowledge of patient care. Being able to think on your feet, prioritize activities, and make decisions based on evidence based practices is vital. I do this through keeping up on current practice by reading research articles, and through educational conferences.
Just as in speaking, research is extremely important in knowing a topic, procedure, or disease process. My main concern, in coming into this course, is in my extreme anxiety related to public speaking. You already have helped, in your relaxed manner of instruction and acknowledgement of the anxieties associated with speaking in public. I hope I can learn to overcome my own inhibitions and learn to become an effective speaker. As I stated prior, I have avoided getting in front of people due to my experiences in the past, so am just hoping this will be a good experience and I can leave with the confidence to speak publically.
