Nursing needs high standards. But for many nurses, the drive to never make a mistake turns into constant anxiety. Here is how to tell the difference.
Imagine lying awake after a shift, replaying a moment when you were five minutes late with a medicine. Nothing went wrong, but you can’t stop thinking about it.
Healthy standards vs perfectionism
- Healthy: careful, safe practice and learning from mistakes
- Harmful: fear of any error, harsh self-criticism and never feeling good enough
Signs of harmful perfectionism
- Overchecking to the point of falling behind
- Staying late to finish everything perfectly
- Struggling to delegate
- Intense guilt over small mistakes
- Avoiding new challenges for fear of failing
What helps
- Focus on safety, not perfection
- Use checklists to reduce anxiety
- Talk to colleagues: you’ll find you’re not alone
- Practise self-compassion: speak to yourself as you would to a colleague
- Get support if anxiety affects your sleep or health
Frequently asked questions
Is perfectionism a mental illness?
No, but it can contribute to anxiety, depression and burnout.
But doesn’t nursing require perfection?
Nursing requires safety, not perfection. Systems, checks and teams exist because humans make mistakes.
Your next step: Next time you make a small mistake, write down what you learned, then let it go.
Related: Imposter syndrome in nurses
Sources: American Psychological Association, NHS mental health resources, nursing wellbeing research.
Leave a Reply