1 . Choose a photo or painting that allows for interpretation .
2 . Ask the following three questions : What is going on in this picture ? What makes you say that ? What more can we find ? 3 . Reflect on the responses .
These activities are just two of many ways to start developing your own creative confidence . Both exercises can be done as a group or by yourself . Whereas the Really Bad Ideas Brainstorm helps us take a rigorous approach to our work by considering all possible options , including bad ones , the Art of Careful Assessment pushes us to “ stretch our thinking , look differently at the world , and validate our observations with evidence ” ( IDEO U , 2018 , p . 7 ).
In my old career , my newly discovered creative confidence challenged me to help my teammates feel safe , step outside of their comfort zones , and stretch their thinking . I found new ways to build rapport across the team , discuss difficult topics with my boss , and address barriers that impeded progress on tasks . Soon I felt more comfortable with myself , and I was able to express myself better . I trusted myself . Working on a team of similarly empowered people meant we could trust each other and collaborate on new ideas and solutions together .
What ’ s Next ? During your next clinical rotation , practice creative confidence skills using the nursing process :
Assessment : Take a rigorous approach to your work by assessing your patient and assessing your own skills . After completing a physical assessment on your patient , perform a focused assessment on yourself : How do you feel after that interaction ? What went well ? What could be improved next time ?
Diagnosis : While you may not know the patient ’ s diagnosis offhand , describe a clear plan to get to the diagnosis , such as gathering more information , reviewing the patient ’ s chart , or consulting with a member of the interdisciplinary team . Planning : Be crystal-clear on what you ’ re trying to accomplish . What are the priority nursing interventions for this patient ? What does the patient need ? What do you need ? What information needs to be clarified and by whom ?
Implementation : Remain stable while implementing your nursing interventions . Admit when you don ’ t know the answer but describe a clear plan to get to the answer , such as telling a patient that you don ’ t know , but you ’ ll find out and follow-up with them within a given time period , such as 15 or 30 minutes .
Evaluation : Take a rigorous approach to your work by using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality ( AHRQ ) TeamSTEPPS ® ( 2023 ) teach-back method — that is , ask the patient or family member to explain the information they need to know or actions they need to take , in their own words — to evaluate your client ’ s education . Also , ask for feedback from the patient , your coworkers , and your manager to improve your nursing skills .
Conclusion You are creative . You can be creative as a nurse . You can use creative confidence to build trust in yourself and your nursing skills . You can also use your newfound creative confidence to change the world around you , including your classmates , your unit , and your patients . When you are stable , rigorous , and crystal-clear with a plan , you will learn to trust your own instincts and foster positive relationships with those around you .
Acknowledgement I would like to thank my professor at Ursuline College , Dr . Bonnie J . Fellows , EdD , RN , CNE , for her guidance and feedback during the revision process . n
References Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality ( AHRQ ). 2023 . TeamSTEPPS ® . Retriev ed from https :// www . ahrq . gov / teamstepps-program / index . html /.
Fellows , P . ( 2022 , October 13 ). The art of careful assessment [ Presentation ]. Foundation of Holistic Nursing Practice , Ursuline College , Pepper Pike , OH , United States .
IDEO U . ( 2018 ). Unlocking creativity : Activities workbook . Retrieved from https :// www . ideou . com / products / unlocking-creativity
Kelley , D . & Kelley , T . ( 2013 ). Creative confidence : Unleashing the creative potential within us all . Penguin Random House .
Zhuo , J . ( 2016 , February 9 ). Creative confidence . Medium Retrieved from https :// medium . com / the-year-of-thelooking-glass / creative-confidence-3e06ef0e4ad3
Jessica Mukavetz ( she / her ) is a second-degree accelerated BSN student at Ursuline College in Pepper Pike , OH . She received her first degree in English from Cleveland State University . She is interested in starting her nursing career in the emergency department , working as a clinical instructor , and fostering leadership skills in nursing students .
36 NSNA IMPRINT • SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2023 • www . nsna . org