Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Confusion; Training / Qualification
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Aircraft; Human Factors
On departure the nose gear failed to retract associated with a Gear Disagree message. We made contact with ATC; requested and were given clearance to maintain 10;000 feet. It was the FO's leg so I was running the QRH. I should note that I have had gear problems in the plane and sim; but they were all when the gear failed to extend. While running the QRH I became confused when it seemed it was directing me to perform an emergency gear extension with the gear handle still in the UP position. I had the FO read over it with me and he too; was confused. I decided that I must be misreading it and so I elected to put the gear handle back down which worked and we returned and landed without incident. It was only later; after I was able to do some research that I concluded I had performed the procedure incorrectly.This was caused by me not trusting myself better.  I was reading the QRH correctly but I had an expectation bias as to how it should be done; which lead to confusion and self-doubt.Like most things that happen in life; I tried to turn this into a learning experience. I have not been a captain very long; I am still getting adjusted to life in the left seat. We had no reason whatsoever to be in a hurry; and yet I felt rushed. I think it was simply because the adrenaline was pumping. We probably had enough fuel on board to hold for 3 hours and the weather was VFR. It is possible that I could have held for 20 minutes and still gotten it wrong. Or; I may have said to myself; the QRH still doesn't make any sense to me; but I am going to just do what it seems to be telling me. So; don't be in a hurry if you don't need to; AND trust your ability to read and do the QRH.
CRJ-200 Captain reported confusion with the QRH procedure when the nose gear failed to retract after takeoff.