Building Confidence in Yourself - Always Say Yes!

Author: Matthew Vaughn, CCMA

One of the biggest challenges new medical assistants face is simply getting started. Many struggle to build the confidence needed to tackle new tasks or learn new skills. I remember when I first started—I was terrified of trying new things and hesitant to put my hands on patients. Learning to draw blood felt especially daunting; I worried that I’d miss the vein, hurt someone, or even upset them. I’ve always had a perfectionist mindset, so I feared failure and being labeled as incompetent. At times, I’d rather not try than risk failing. However, this mindset isn’t one you can keep if you want to succeed in this role. To thrive as a medical assistant, you need to build confidence in yourself and learn to always say yes.

What Do I Mean by "Always Say Yes"?

By "always say yes," I mean don’t shy away from challenges or new experiences. When I was invited to join a medical assistant program and learn clinical skills hands-on, I made a commitment to myself: I’d say yes to every opportunity that came my way. Each “yes” would lead to professional growth, increased confidence, and a step closer to becoming the best version of myself.

One of the skills I initially feared most was phlebotomy. But as I dove into it, I found I was better than I’d imagined. Overcoming that initial fear was difficult, but it made me stronger. On my first day, I observed a phlebotomist draw blood from patients, studying her technique and how she laid everything out. I reached a point where I could anticipate her every move. That mental preparation was essential when it was finally my turn.

My first successful draw was on an RN in our diabetes teaching department. She knew it was my first time and insisted I give it a try. I missed my first attempt in the antecubital area (AC), but she guided me to try her hand with a butterfly needle, and it worked perfectly. That warm, supportive environment gave me the comfort I needed to develop my skills without fear. From there, I completed my required draws for certification and moved on to master other skills, like EKGs and injections.

Embracing Opportunities and Learning from Mistakes

I share this story to emphasize that saying yes to opportunity, even when you’re afraid, is essential to learning in our profession. Even as an experienced medical assistant, I still have days when I feel like I’ve done an excellent job and others when I feel I could’ve done much better. Some days, I can draw labs on the first try every time, and on others, I can’t seem to get it right. There will be days when your patients are easygoing, and you feel you’ve presented yourself well. And there will be days when difficult patients leave you wondering what you could’ve done differently.

Don’t Be Afraid to Try

Never be afraid to try. If no one was willing to try, we’d have no one to do the vital work we do. Everyone has the potential to succeed, but only if they’re willing to answer the call. If you’re reading this, then you’ve already decided to answer that call and be the best MA you can be—and that speaks volumes.

So, when nerves start to get the best of you and you feel uneasy about trying something new, remember: always say yes!