Pace vs Presence: What I’m Really Teaching in December
A nurse, managing her time.
It’s December. Units are full. Emotions are high. And if you're a new nurse—or deep in NCLEX prep—you’re probably feeling the squeeze.
You’re trying to stay on top of your skills, pass your exams, keep up with preceptors or instructors, and still breathe at the end of the day. I see it. I’ve been there.
But here’s what I want to offer, especially right now:
Speed is a system value.
Presence is a patient value.
And nursing? It lives in the space between both.
Let’s dive in!
The Hidden Lesson No One Tests You On
Lately in clinicals, I’ve been watching students move fast—charting vitals, prepping meds, checking boxes. They’re doing everything “right.” And yet… sometimes they miss the moment that matters.
A patient says, “I’m okay,” but their eyes shift.
They wince slightly when rolling over—but don’t mention pain.
They smile through something that feels off.
This isn’t about clinical errors. It’s about emotional fluency—learning how to hear what isn’t said. And in a season like this, when everyone’s busy and patients want to “be good,” it’s easy to rush past those moments.
But that’s where presence matters most.
Presence matters most
What We Lose When We Only Focus on Getting It Done
When pace drives everything, we start missing the layers:
The overwhelmed caregiver who's holding back tears
The chronic pain patient who's tired of not being believed
The new mom who's saying all the “right” things but hasn’t slept in three days
And we lose something else, too: ourselves.
Nursing becomes just a checklist. You start to feel detached. Or worse—burned out before you’ve even started.
But when you slow down—even briefly—you connect. And that connection is what patients remember. It’s what makes this work meaningful.
Taking a moment to breath and refocus.
What I Hope You Hold Onto
I know you want to get it right. I know you want to pass the NCLEX and feel competent in clinicals. But I hope you also practice this:
Pause after your patient answers
Ask one more curious question
Notice their tone as much as their temp
Trust that presence is part of the skillset—not extra
Compassion isn’t a bonus—it’s a clinical tool. And it’s never more powerful than during a season when people are carrying a lot behind the scenes.
So yes, pace matters. But presence? Presence is what makes you unforgettable.
🎧 Noticing Check-In Activity + Check Sheet
Practice presence in fast-paced environments, can be done post-clinical, in class, or solo with my “Noticing Check-In” Activity + Check Sheet.
It’s takes just 10-15 mins and it a great tool for practicing presence.
You CAN do this!
💬 Join the Conversation:
Comment below!
Share your stories in the comments or reach out—I’d love to hear from you.
How are you staying present this December?
Any NCLEX tips or stories you'd like to share with your fellow new nurses?
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