Nurse’s Overconfidence in Self-Judgment

Description of Overconfidence in Self-Judgement

Reasons for Overconfidence in Self-Judgement:

• Long practice period in nursing.
• Premature evaluation of certain situations.
• Ambition and the desire to show capabilities.
• Insufficient level of vocational training.
• Excessive praise from colleagues and superiors.
• Inability to assess taken decisions adequately.

Negative Consequences of Overconfidence in Self-Judgement:

• The wrong approach to the task.
• Impossibility to evaluate the task correctly.
• Problems with superiors due to incompetence.
• Complaints from patients and colleagues.
• Possible harm to patients’ health.
• Violation of ethical norms and rules.

Relation of the Problem to the Code of Ethics for Nurses

Violation of the Code of Ethics for Nurses due to Overconfidence:

• Irresponsible provision of quality care for patients (Zahedi et al., 2013).
• Non-observance of the rules in the Code.
• An initiative that contradicts the Code.
• The wrong approach to the task implementation.
• The final result contradicts the stated goal.
• Dissatisfaction with the quality of services.

Possible Conditions for Correcting the Situation and Following the Code:

• Compliance with the Code requirements.
• Avoiding personal judgment and self-confidence.
• Periodic consultations with colleagues and superiors.
• Patients are more important than personal motives.
• Analysis of the work done.
• Attempts to change attitude to duties.

Main Ethical Principles to Follow When Facing the Problem

Principle of Maximum Progress when Facing Overconfidence in Self-Judgement:

• Obligations to the rank of medic.
• Error correction in the work process.
• Attempts to self-develop and self-improve.
• Desire to achieve relevant indicators.
• Adequate perception of critique from outside.
• Adequate assessment of strengths and capabilities.

Principle of Non-Conformism and its Possible Consequences:

• Higher self-confidence may increase the quality of care (Lubbers & Rossman, 2016).
• Non-conformism should be limited reasonably.
• Personal opinion is not always correct.
• Avoiding help worsens the relationships.
• Showing leadership qualities is unreasonable sometimes.
• Teamwork reinforces the morale of employees.

Ways of Reducing the Impact of the Problem

Help from Colleagues and Group Work for Improving the Situation:

• Overconfidence is not a competence indicator (Molteni & Chan, 2015).
• Communication helps solve the problem.
• Advice from experienced colleagues is of help.
• Discussion is the way to a solution.
• Trainings of specialists in the team.
• Evaluation of the work by colleagues.

Self-Monitoring and Analysis of the Results of the Work Conducted:

• Acceptance contributes to an early solution.
• Self-development and conclusions drawn from the results.
• Desire to change the work style.
• Prioritization and clear goals for achieving.
• Self-evaluation of the work regarding the Code.
• Attendance of courses on self-development.

Summary

Disadvantages of Overconfidence in Self-Judgement:

• Overconfidence can lead to improper performance of duties.
• Self-assessment of work is not always objective.
• Non-observance of norms contradicts the Code.
• Leaders dislike the work of an overconfident nurse.
• Patients’ dissatisfaction with the quality of care.
• Some self-judgments can be made incorrectly.

Possible Ways of Solving the Problem and Overcoming Failures:

• Desire to self-develop compensates little experience.
• Patients’ interests are more important than personal ambitions.
• Work should be thought over carefully and beforehand.
• Interaction with the team can improve results.
• Following the Code helps exclude possible problems.
• Adequate critique contributes to a qualitative analysis.

References

Lubbers, J., & Rossman, C. (2016). The effects of pediatric community simulation experience on the self-confidence and satisfaction of baccalaureate nursing students: A quasi-experimental study. Nurse Education Today, 39, 93-98.

Molteni, V. E., & Chan, E. K. (2015). Student confidence/overconfidence in the research process. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 41(1), 2-8.

Zahedi, F., Sanjari, M., Aala, M., Peymani, M., Aramesh, K., Parsapour, A., … Dastgerdi, M. V. (2013). The Code of Ethics for Nurses. Iranian Journal of Public Health, 42(1), 1-8.