Imposter Syndrome

After practicing for a year or two, most nurses will be asked to take on additional responsibilities such as acting as a preceptor for new graduate nurses, leading as a charge nurse, becoming a subject matter expert, or serving on a shared governance committee. Taking the step to expand our professional role can cause self-doubt and critical internal dialogue. This phenomenon of imposter syndrome was first described in 1978 by Clance and Imes¹  and has been the subject of nursing research ever since. Nurses who are stretching into new roles and developing expertise may be vulnerable to this feeling of inadequacy and may credit their success to luck or chance. Addressing this false self-perception is important to developing our professional identity and becoming more fully authentic.² 

Validation of expertise may play a part in overcoming imposter syndrome and improving self-confidence. Preparing for and passing the CCRN certification...