Well, yesterday, I had the pleasure of being a "nurse for a day". It was a great experience, I got to shadow a RN on a med/surg floor. Wow. It was very interesting to say the least.

The first patient we saw had an infection in his stomach area. I got to see a sponge vaccum? I'm not sure if that's the correct term...

Anyway, about five minutes after being in his room, I started to feel sick. I started sweating so badly... and in about 3 minutes, I completely sweated through my blouse.

Throughout the morning, I felt this was twice more. I assume that it's just because I'm not used to seeing things like this. (I'm not a nursing student yet.)

Did most people go through this? At what point do you stop feeling this way? How do you know if you'll never get over it?

I'm pretty disappointed in how my body reacted. I really wanted to be in there learning, but it's like my body was just out of control. How do you overcome this?

Michelle

dont worry, it gets better. i dont know how, but it just does. Then you will start worrying if you are too callous!

Yes, it goes away.

When I first started as a scrub tech in OB, I found that I would get nauseous in the OR during a C-Section, or that during a delivery, the sight of the placenta would send me into dry heaves (they really are gross)...but then my preceptor told me to try eating something (crackers, or some OJ) right before scrubbing in or before a delivery. Suprisingly, it cured my little problem. I think some people do have weak stomachs, but maybe you could try the little snack trick. I hope you figure out what's causing it, and that you can do something to prevent it. :)

Rest assured -- a "weak" stomach will go away. Just listen in on nurse's conversations while they are eating -- we alwaysdiscuss many "unlovely things/smells etc." & never lose our appetite. Obviously, some situations are more difficult than others, but you do get used to it.

Hi MiHi,

I think you did just fine! You stayed conscious didn't you?

Good Luck!!

Col:D

Sometimes "weak stomachs" just go away with experience and sometimes they do NOT.

Most procedures are easier to take when you are actually doing them, rather than watching them. Kind of like carsickness happens much more in passengers than in drivers.

Hey, the first time I saw a Polaroid of healing pressure ulcers:eek:, I broke out into a major sweat and had to lie down on one of the exam tables in the nursing skills lab, while another student brought me a trash can in case I had to throw up. (True story from 1st week of nursing school.) Very embarrassing!:imbar However, the first time I had to change a wound dressing, my instructor (unwittingly, I think) taught me a trick--she said to me "Describe the wound." That is, what structures are involved? Odor? Drainage? How much, what type? What kind of dressing, and why? How would you expect the wound to progress? Other treatments indicated? Possible complications? Are there any signs/symptoms of complications at this time? And of course all the while you are talking with the patient, reassuring them, telling them what to expect, answering questions, and so on. Before you know it, you're initialing your handiwork, reminding the patient to use their call light if they need anything, and going to chart, hopefully having learned something new from this wound. You'll get there!

EAT!!!!! I got the flip/flops quite a bit at first(almost puked when I saw my 1st stage 4 decub), but the more you see, the easier it gets. I also found it much easier if I eat before school, work, etc. Low blood sugar definitely exacerbates the problem. Oh yeah, remember to breath. Thats pretty important, too! LOL Good luck, and hey, as long as you didn't kiss the floor, your doing OK!

Yes, it goes away. Eventually. Although it is subject to return sometimes when you least expect it.

Something that helped me was to forget that this is a human being (bear with me here, folks) and look on whatever was instigating the stomach churn as a technical challenge. (The debridement, the decubitus, whatever). This de-personalizing helped. (Of course, this is just a mind game for yourself: it's imperative to remain communicative with the patient and family the whole time).

An immediate infusion of fresh air (just sticking your head out the door for a second will work) can help.

The important thing is not to let it get to you. If you feel sick, get someone to take over for you, and get out of the room. It is probably not a good thing to vomit in a patient's presence, if you can possibly help it ... :)

Jim Huffman, RN

http://www.NetworkforNurses.com