Perioperative Career Confidence: "Kate, I'm Probably Wasting Your Time"
- Kate Wheeler
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Those were the first words she said to me.I smiled and replied, "Why do you think that?" There was a pause.
"I've looked at the job three times, but there'll be people far better than me."
She'd been a perioperative nurse for years.She had excellent experience. Her references were glowing. She was respected by her colleagues. Yet none of that was how she saw herself.
Instead, she focused on everything she wasn't.
She hadn't worked in one particular speciality. She hadn't been a NUM. She hadn't completed one additional paper. In her mind, those things cancelled out everything she had achieved.
As I listened, I realised this wasn't really a conversation about recruitment. It was a conversation about confidence.
Perioperative career confidence is something I talk about almost every day. Over the years, I've spoken with hundreds of theatre nurses who underestimated their own ability.
The Confidence Gap
Over more than twenty years in recruitment, I've noticed something interesting. The people who worry they're not good enough are often the people who care the most.
They prepare thoroughly.rThey ask thoughtful questions. They reflect on their practice.
They want to do the best job they can...
Ironically, the people with the greatest confidence aren't always the strongest candidates.
Confidence and competence are not the same thing.
Unfortunately, many talented healthcare professionals confuse self-doubt with reality.
Comparison Is a Dangerous Habit
Healthcare is full of exceptional people. It's easy to look around and think everyone else has more experience, more knowledge or more confidence.
But here's what I've learnt.
You're comparing your behind-the-scenes thoughts with someone else's highlight reel. You don't see the interview they were nervous about. The mistake they learnt from. The shift where they questioned themselves. The application they almost didn't submit. Every experienced nurse was once new. Every leader had a first leadership role.
Every expert started somewhere.
What Employers Really Look For
One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is, "They're looking for someone perfect."
In my experience, most hospitals aren't searching for perfection.
They're looking for people who are safe, capable, professional and willing to keep learning.
Technical skills matter. Experience matters.
But attitude matters just as much.
Can you communicate?
Can you work as part of a team?
Can you adapt?
Can you remain calm under pressure?
Can you treat colleagues and patients with respect?
Those qualities are often what make someone memorable.
The Conversation That Changed Everything
I encouraged her to apply. Not because I wanted to fill a vacancy. Because I genuinely believed she was a strong candidate.
A week later she called me again. This time her voice sounded completely different.
"I did it Kate, I can't believe it." She laughed. (I always knew she would)
Then she said something I'll never forget. "I nearly talked myself out of applying."
Imagine if she had.
Imagine how many opportunities we miss because we've already rejected ourselves before anyone else has had the chance.
What Self-Doubt Sounds Like
It doesn't always announce itself. Sometimes it sounds like:
"I'll wait until I have another year's experience."
"They'll never pick me."
"I'm not leadership material."
"I've only worked in one hospital."
"I'm too old."
"I'm too inexperienced."
"I'm not qualified enough."
I've heard every one of those sentences over the years.
Most of the time, they aren't based on evidence. They're based on fear.
What I've Learnt
You don't have to believe you're the best person in the room. You simply need to believe you deserve the opportunity to be considered.
Let someone else decide whether you're the right fit. Don't make that decision for them.
Because every time you convince yourself not to apply, you've guaranteed one outcome. You'll never know what might have happened.
Kate's Reflection
One of the greatest privileges of my work is watching people discover confidence they didn't know they had.
Sometimes all someone needs is another person to say, "I think you can do this."
I've seen careers transformed because someone chose courage over certainty.
Not because they felt fearless. Because they decided to take one small step despite their doubts.
If you're reading this and questioning whether you're ready for your next opportunity, I'd encourage you to remember something.
Growth rarely begins with confidence.
More often, confidence grows because we were brave enough to begin. I frequently say "Fortune favours the bold" and I am laughing out loud as I write this, as I know there will be followers reading this saying : "She said that to me". Well, It's true. Be bold!
Coffee Break Question
Have you ever almost talked yourself out of applying for a role that turned out to be the right move?
Or is there an opportunity you're hesitating over right now?
I'd love to hear your thoughts.
A Note from Kate
Thank you for joining me for another Coffee Break.
Every week I share lessons I've learnt from more than twenty years recruiting perioperative professionals across Australia and New Zealand.
The conversations are real.
The stories are always anonymised.
My hope is that each edition leaves you feeling a little more informed, a little more confident and a little more connected to the incredible community that works behind the theatre doors.
Until next week, take care of yourself as well as those around you.
Kate Wheeler
Founder | Carejobz
This Week at Carejobz
At Carejobz, we recruit exclusively within the perioperative sector across Australia and New Zealand.
Whether you're considering your next career move or searching for experienced theatre professionals, I'd love to have a confidential conversation.
If you enjoyed this edition, please consider subscribing and sharing it with a colleague.
