Emetophobia

[giarose2007]

Who had emetophobia before nursing and was able to overcome it? I am not talking about people who find it gross.... I want to become a nurse more than anything the only thing getting in my way is fear of vomit. I know it sounds ridiculous but it has something I have dealt with since a child. Any advice would help!

[kayemmejayRN]

I have an irrational fear of vomit. I have had patients vomit and retch around me. Sometimes I can stand being in the room with them as long as they are only vomiting stomach contents and not food. Sometimes I will make sure they have a emi-bag or receptacle to vomit in and kindly excuse myself out of the room and wait outside the room until they are done. I usually joke and reassure and apologize to my patient for leaving the room. Some people have different triggers. Mine is I can't stand the smell or sight of vomit.

[Nascar nurse, ASN, RN]

I've been in healthcare nearly 30 years. I've been a mother for nearly 19 years. I have never gotten over it. My kids puked in the bed...I handed them a washcloth to wash themselves off and threw the sheets away. Nope, I'm not kidding!

I learned early as an aide way back in the day, I always did the jobs that my coworkers couldn't handle, ie: major code browns, finger painters, secretions, wounds, etc. Then, when the day came that one of my patients were vomiting, I had lots of favors to call in. This actually worked pretty darn well for me most of my career.

Now I'm a DON in LTC and proud to say that I'm still not afraid to walk into a room and get my hands dirty to provide good care and I still can't handle vomit. Just this morning we had a resident vomiting. One of my young aides cleaned her up and came out of the room looking green herself. She asked me "How do you learn to deal with vomit"? Most of them know I started out years ago as an aide and know that I will come help them in almost any situation. I replied to her "Best way I've found is to work your way up the ladder, become a DON and get to delegate it to someone else". She walked away laughing and mumbling about getting signed up for school ASAP.