[earle58]

visuals don't bother me.
but smells do.
never got over it.
sometimes, i've been known to audibly gag....almost as if i'm about to vomit.
more than once, the pt has asked, "are you all right?"
i immediately start clearing my throat, stating i got something stuck.
then i mouth breathe and meditate like the dickens.

i still cry...
for and w/my pts/families
not blubbering.
but still...
human tragedy touches us.

best of everything to you.
you're going to shine.

leslie

[RN1989]

Originally Posted by Kuklara511

I like the salary, I like only working 3 days a week, and I like the fact that it is interesting and I wouldn't have to be stuck at a desk for 8 hours a day.

Thus far you have not instilled any confidence in me that you will be able to make it as a nurse. You say you had a "MAJOR" change of heart regarding your choice of studies but the reasons you list are superficial at best. Then you say that you have issues you aren't sure you can overcome. And you are still vascillating between the 2 majors, keeping your foot in the door of business school because you aren't sure. If you really had this change of heart, you would not be asking these questions and would have already started the process of applying to nursing school.

Yes, the money in nursing is some of the best that a WOMAN can make. But the amount of education (initial and continuing), responsibility, and stress, coupled with evil employers, ungrateful patients, and hateful colleagues makes the amount of money you make pitiful and not worth it. If your main motivation is money - don't even bother going to nursing school. After a few years you will be unhappy when you realize just how physically and emotionally difficult it is to be a nurse.

There is no guarantee that you will find a job that works 12 hour shift so that you only have to work 3 days a week. Nurses are also required to work weekends, holidays, and even the days that they requested off to go to a special family event. Over a career, if is likely that you spend more holidays with your peers at work than with your own family.

Nursing is "interesting". Hmmmm. There are a lot of interesting jobs out there where you don't have to wipe people's hineys for a living.

And you like not being stuck at a desk 8 hours a day. As a nurse, you will spend an entire shift on your feet. You'll be lucky to have a chance to sit down while you go pee. And if you are required to carry a unit phone - rest assured that it will ring with a patient's needs just as you sit on the pot. By the time you get home your feet will be hurting so bad you don't want to walk anymore. And after a 12 hour shift - you will be so tired that you won't want to go out with your family because you haven't stopped to rest all day long.

Sorry, but I'm not convinced that you have really given this some thought. I've seen nurse after nurse graduate, get a job, and realize that making a nurse's salary isn't as easy as they thought. Then they either become angry and take it out on their colleagues and patients, or they quit and have to spend more money to go back to school for something else.

Perhaps you should check out the new graduate forum and read the stories of the new nurses and what they are dealing with. If you truly want to be a nurse in your heart, you will have better reasons to want to be a nurse. And you will not have reservations about it. You will simply apply to school and do it. Nursing is one of the hardest jobs in this world. As a nurse, you hold the world's life in your hands. It is not something to be flippant about. Best you learn now what you are in for before you find out the hard way.

[earle58]

Originally Posted by RN1989

If you truly want to be a nurse in your heart, you will have better reasons to want to be a nurse. And you will not have reservations about it. You will simply apply to school and do it.

flexible scheduling, decent pay and interesting work, aren't valid reasons to be attracted to nursing?
i don't know how many threads i've read, w/posters questioning if nsg was something they should pursue, or not.
it's not a calling for everyone.
rather, it is a carefully, deliberated decision.
i see nothing indicating that the op wouldn't be a competent nurse.

i do believe in telling the pros and cons, especially if asked.
but she asked about a weak stomach and sensitive emotions.
it sounds like you had a really bad day.
hope you're feeling well soon.

leslie

[BBFRN]

I don't have a weak stomach, but I did start out with one.

I agree with Underpaid. When I lose the ability to cry with a family after they have lost a loved on, it's time to get out of nursing.

Heck, my DH was working on a house for a guy recently who had killed his young sons and himself. DH found out it was that guy he had just heard about on the news after he went to the guy's house to collect his fees. The man's brother had to tell him what happened. They both broke down, and DH broke down just telling me about it. He was just so sad over those kids mostly, because he had chatted with them, and thought they were such great kids. He felt if he had known, he would've brought them home with him.

Once we lose the ability to empathize and sympathize with those during tragedy, we lose our humanity.

I have never loved and respected my big ole Marine DH more than when he broke down over that.

[DreamyEyes]

Originally Posted by time4meRN

The nurses that arn't bothered at all by a child passing while the father sings , "you are my sunshine" to her, or a little old man that holds his dying wifes hand talking to her the entire time about all of the good times they shared, worry me.

That made me get teary eyed just thinking about it.


To the OP--I feel your pain. While I actually have a pretty strong stomach, I'm wayyyy too sensitive when it comes to other people. I cry everytime I see the Jimmy Fund commercial with the little boy with cancer. I've always been that way, I feel others pain way too much. But I think that your sensitivity will make you a GREAT nurse! As others have said, you will eventually develop a tougher skin, but there's nothing wrong with feeling sad about a patient's death, etc. It shows you care. Good luck with your future nursing career!!

[bluesnurse]

Originally Posted by Kuklara511

Hi everyone! I am new to this, and just signed up. Here is my story. I am 24 and I want to be a registered nurse. I just started school as a Business major and just had a MAJOR change of heart and want to go into nursing. I like the salary, I like only working 3 days a week, and I like the fact that it is interesting and I wouldn't have to be stuck at a desk for 8 hours a day. I have 2 problems though:
1- Weak stomach
2- Very sensitive
My question...I am sure at times I am going to want to puke and I am going to want to cry but is it going to be one of those that evenutally I will get used to? If I try hard, should I be ok? Is it really that bad?

I understand where you're coming from -- I actually completed a BA in business and was bored silly after a year as an insurance underwriter. I'd always been interested in health care but never thought I could really do it because I'd been passing out at the sight of blood since childhood (and not just my own), and am also very sensitive.

Yes, you will want to puke sometimes. The first time I *watched* a trach being suctioned, I went down and woke up in the ER with IV fluids and a BP of 80/40. And yes, I have cried with patients, and I have held it back and cried all the way home some days.

BUT ... it does get better. As far as needles, it was an act of will. IV's and lab draws scared me to death, and it took me over a year after graduation to do them with any sort of confidence. Now, I start 20+ IV's a week and draw labs at least 2-3 times a day. I'm the person they call when no one else can get a stick. Even so, I have good and bad days; sometimes I still can't hit the side of a barn, and other days I'm really 100% on it.

To answer your question -- IMHO, it is not that bad. You can get used to it ... most of the time. Nursing is still not easy for me, but it is a daily challenge, no two days are the same, and every once in a while, you know you've helped someone -- and that's makes it all worth it

[leslymill]

I never had a weak stomach for 22 years in nursing, but now I do.
It is not a fear that I will be throwing up when I return to the field in a few months IT IS A FACT. I haven't figured out how I am gonna HIDE IT either.........

[rita359]

Still remember my experience the summer after high school working as a nurses aide having to empty a bedpan and almost gagging. My fellow aides thought I'd never make it as a nurse but 39 years later that gagging feeling doesn't happen much anymore and I've survived. I guess adaptation is a wonderful thing. Good thing it happens too.

[Kuklara511]

Thanks! You all helped me so much. I was discouraging myself thinking I probably wouldn't be able to do it but you all have stories of how you almost threw up and how you cried for patients so I feel now that what I am feeling and what I will go through is normal and if I try I can do it. Thank you all so much.