Fear of Zombies

[NurseBrittney]

I have this irrational fear of Zombies.

It probably stems from the resident evil video games and movies that I adore... and the silent hill games that I rather enjoy as well... but I am, in fact, afraid of the potential of the living dead.

I work on the general surgery floor. We also occasionally have medical patients. Sometimes we have hospice patients. And on 2 occasions I have had a patient of mine unexpectedly die. Of those 2, I only performed post mortem care on one of them. The other a designated nurse did. Once they passed away I could not enter the room along. I could not have them face me. I had to have at least 2 other people with me and help me.

I was so scared of the potential for them to leap out of the bed and come after me. Even though I know this is completely irrational, I can't shake this thought.

Am I completely alone in my fear of zombies as a nurse?

[MaxAttack, BSN, RN]

I'm a crowbar type person myself...

Nice, it's hard the beat the crowbar for a melee weapon. Good choice.

[chicookie, BSN, RN]

I'm more afraid of.... paperwork... dun dun dun.

My thoughts exactly! By the time you are done you will feel like a zombie yourself.

[leslie :-D]

Am I completely alone in my fear of zombies as a nurse?

probably not.

for awhile, i was terrified of zombies, i.e., coming back from the dead.

i had pronounced a pt, with the pt's dtr present.

as we were quietly talking, the (deceased) pt opened her eyes and took a huge breath simultaneously.

being the professional that i am, i jumped through the ceiling...

then scurried out of the room to get my cn.

cn enters the room and says "yes, _________ is dead"...

to which i reply as i hung onto the back of her shirt, "don't be so sure".

well, this time, pt really was dead.

but for the longest, LONGEST time, i was afraid of dead people.

i really hope this doesn't happen to you, op.

it was horrifying.

boo!

leslie:devil:

[1TachyRN, RN]

Don't ever see the movie "28 Days Later" then....

[K.P.A.]

Not to worry. Hospital zombies suffer from orthostatic hypotension and don't crawl well. You'll easily out pace them.

[12hours]

what a nut job...

[ohmeowzer RN, RN]

it's not the dead you have to be afraid of .. it's the living.... and just wear your running shoes to work.. you can outrun a zombie easily.. their limbs keep falling off and they have to keep picking up their arms and hands.. by the time the pick up their hand you will be in the parking lot...lol

[Chewie_123]

My shift developed a Zombie Action Plan (ZAP!!!) during an incredibly rare quiet night last week. My melee weapon if choice was the top of a two hook IV pole. Ranged weapon: O2 tank rocket. The whole thing got disturbingly detailed, really... :uhoh21:

[AngelfireRN, MSN, RN, APRN]

OMG.

As I am fond of saying, the dead can't hurt you, they've already left!

Which my father always responds to with "Well, what they left can sure make you hurt yourself!"

Of course, I'm a big believer in the paranormal, entities, and all that, so I am REALLY the wrong one to ask.

Never thought much about zombies, though......

[axiousguy]

You need to play the game left 4 dead. In the game it's the zombie apocalypse. In one level the goal is to enter "Mercy Hospital" and get to the rooftop and catch a helicopter ride out of town. Swarms of zombies in scrubs and gowns must be defeated. Playing this game will help your fear. Well...probably not. But the game is pretty sweet!

HA HA hilarious! Playing that game should alliviate your fears or make it worse. I beat that level on expert :)

[PAROPPY, BSN, RN]

And get the Zombie Survivial Guide (you can order it off of Amazon). Perhaps a little desensitization by reading up on zombies and the author's ideas on how to whack them will help you overcome (or at least control) your fear.

I have this book and I love it!!!

[Lacie, BSN, RN]

Omg!! I love zombies!!!! Funny as recently University of Florida made national headlines with the addition of a Zombie Invasion Disaster Plan on thier website. It was hilarious but was forced to remove it the same day. Anyway I am attaching the "Plan" for you as maybe you can find some use or revision to suit your needs. I have to say I love your post and the responses. Even my sons who are avid gamers came to read and making suggestions lol.

zbsd_exercise.source.prod_affiliate.56.pdf