[smelltheroses]

I am only in pre-reqs for RN. I am hoping some of you will chime in with advice. I feel that I would make a good nurse for many reasons, but am not sure if it is possible. I have been trying to look at trauma and surgery pictures to get myself used to seeing it. I have to say it makes me squeemish. I am wondering if that is normal? Are there RNs out there that in the begining were unsettled by the site of someones insides and later became good RNs. I am afraid when I finally get in this situation I will vomit or pass out. I can handle bodily functions and even seeing childbirth, but beyond that I am a whimp. My mom tells me maybe I should consider picking a different profession, but this is what I want to do! Do squeemish people get used to it and acclimate? Please Chime In.

[traumaRUs]

Please don't feel you have to gross yourself out with pictures! All ER and trauma isn't gross - some of it is just weird. However, you have to realize these are people attached to the injuries so pictures of injuries doesn't do it justice. You will get there don't worry.

In the meantime enjoy school and then come on out and play in the ER - lol. Take care.

[smelltheroses]

Thanks for the encouragement. I think the part that bothers me most is that the pictures are connected to people; like a parent, sibling, spouse or friend of someone. I hope I get used to seeing this, so that I will be able to help people in need. Thanks again I hope I do get used to it.

[MIA-RN1]

I am graduating in a month and I know what you mean. there are still things that I see now that make me have to stop and take a breath before I continue. But when you are working, you are not just seeing the injury etc and focusing on it. You are also thinking about the IV, patient pain/comfort, what could happen because of all those things, what do you need to do first etc etc. So there is much more going on than just the injury.
And you do get used to it. First semester was a lot of gagging for me but that's much better now.
The fact that you look at these things and feel not just grossed out butr also like you said you feel for the families, etc, means that you have the caring to pursue this field. Nursing is about so much more than just the acute injury or illness. If this is your dream, then go for it.

[Daytonite]

I don't think I'd be wrong if I say that most nurses never get to see gruesome trauma and surgery. Maybe once, if they are lucky when they are students, and even then, it would only be to watch what was going on. And, no one would have had a problem if they had to leave the room because it was making them sick. Stop assaulting your emotions with these pictures. And, your mom is wrong. Most nursing work involves working with people who have medical problems. If you have watched a program like "House" you've seen about as bad as it can get for a regular staff nurse and even those are not every day occurrences for some nursing units. Most nursing work is kind of routine, cut and dry. It's the interaction with the patients and other staff that make most days unique. I've been a nurse for 30 years. I've never seen a nurse yet who vomited or passed out at something gross. Passing out (vasovagal response) most often occurs when people see their own blood being drawn. And, if it did happen to you, what safer place to be than amidst a bunch of nurses?

[smelltheroses]

Thanks guys. I feel much better! I will push forward.

[s and t]

Originally Posted by Daytonite

....Passing out (vasovagal response) most often occurs when people see their own blood being drawn. And, if it did happen to you, what safer place to be than amidst a bunch of nurses?

True, true, TRUE! The one time I nearly hit the deck was after I poked my thumb with a staple...what a wimp to turn pale and woozy! And I've been an ER nurse for years!

[Tweety]

Good luck to you.

I work trauma, but I work on the floor. I couldn't work in the ER when they come in all beat up like that. It's not for everyone.