[amber84]

Hello all, I am new to the site and just took my net test Thursday. If I pass, I will start lpn classes in September. I have always had a passion for nursing and helping people, but the major thing that bothers me is that I am absolutely terrified of needles for some reason. Everytime I have to give blood I can not watch them put the needle in, I turn my head and just want it to be over quick. I guess I am just afraid of hurting someone? I love watching all the E.R., trauma, code, etc. shows on t.v. but even on t.v. I can't stand to watch them cut someone open with a scapel or stick them with a needle. If the person has died or something such as an autopsy it's o.k. for me to watch it. Is this weird or are there others out there that are scared of needles but you want to be a nurse so bad?? I am a CNA right now and love to help people if I can, it seems to make life a little easier and make my day better to know that I can be of help to someone. Is there anything you can do to get over this? Thanks in advance, Amber

[TazziRN]

Nothing but practice.

A fear of needles is common but most of us are not afraid of the plunger end, just the pointy end.

[Laught3r]

Only when it's pointed at ME!!!

[LovebugLPN]

I have no problem sticking someone else but I have a BIG problem being the one stuck. The worse part is when my friends ask and I have to tell them I would rather stick a kid then stick myself. By the way I also can't watch my son be stuck, don't ask me why. I still cry when he cries. It is an embarassing scene.

[BrittRN2b]

I think it is just a part of being compassionate. We don't want to see other human beings in pain. You will overcome your anxiety/fear with practice and over time.

[Michigan RN]

I LOVE needles. Love them so much, just to get over my fear, I got some random body part pierced...i.e. my belly button..

[NWGeorgiaFutureRN]

I couldnt even watch people be stuck on tv/movies, then I decided I was going to be a phlebotomist. Just jump in there and do it. It does hurt, but not bad.

[multicollinearity]

Amber,

You say you want to help people, and you sound very compassionate. You are helping them by giving them an injection. Maybe try to think of it that way.

Also, maybe try to put this in perspective. I'll share my point of view. I fuss and have fits about many things (as those dear to me know) but giving injections and needle-related matters isn't something I fuss about. Here's why I say this. In the scheme of things, in the larger picture, pain from getting an injection or IV is really low on the scale of painful things that can happen to someone. It really is.

[peds-n-obgirl]

I had an accidental stick in nursing school once. We were practicing on oranges, my syringe and my hands were sticky, so my hand slipped and all 1 and 1/2 inches of the needle slid down the side of my pinky. So I was scared of needles for about a month. But my very wise instructor made me stick people until I could do it with my eyes closed. Now I let GNs and GPNs practice sticking IVs on me, even though I don't even have great veins. Practice. Practice. Practice.

[nursenessa82]

You'll be fine. In my teenage years when I knew I wanted to be a nurse, I watched them draw blood when I had mono - almost passed out. I had my tonsils out and watched them put the IV in - almost passed out. As far as others....well, at my very first clinical I watched a nurse flush an IV heplock - and hit the floor. Then I just got over it. I love sticking others now and it doesn't bother me at all. I just turn my head when I know I'm getting stuck.