Last week at the fabulous Graduate Student Nursing Academy (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, AACN), the topic of imposter syndrome came up at the lunch table and during my presentation. I am increasingly convinced that we all* have it when we move to a new position, regardless of our career stage or past experience.
It's like a developmental phase in your career.
It's not that you have it. In fact, you should expect it.
It's what you do with it. You can let the fear of failure, the potential for embarrassment or the reminders of past failures (yes, I said that out loud) get in your way. Or you can use those feelings and experiences to drive your next action.
Let's normalize this and support each other as we take on new challenges and new roles.
*I know there are no absolutes that apply to everyone