scared of needles anyone?

MikeyBSN · Apr 16, 2009

Most nursing schools don't teach needles at all. I don't understand why people are so afraid of them. It's a tiny piece of metal with a point!

Adenium · Apr 16, 2009

I too came into nursing as a second career and with a hefty needle fear. I'd had lots of bad experiences with blood draws and IVs, and wasn't such a big fan of shots either. I was sweating bullets the first time I had to do an injection, which was within the first couple weeks of the program in a lab. However, it's gotten a lot easier. Even starting IVs, which I didn't get trained on until my job orientation earlier this year, wasn't so bad. We had a great instructor and just did a whole bunch in a row. Now, when a patient needs one I just go do it. If I get it great, if I don't I have someone with more experience try. I certainly don't go for an extended digging session and torture my patients as people have done to me.

IMs still bother me, probably because I hardly ever give them. The needle just always seems too darn long. The most frequent thing I give however is insulin, which is in such a tiny little SC needle it's fine. Most patients don't even feel it. The only time I freaked myself out was when recapping the clean needle after drawing up the insulin....didn't realize the needle can poke right through the side of the cap if it isn't totally straight. Haven't repeated that mistake.

I think you'll be OK. Just take advantage of every practice opportunity. We started with those little fake skin blobs in lab and then progressed to each other and then patients. Thinking about it is worse than doing it, and repetition helps. Good luck!

April, RN, BSN, RN · Apr 17, 2009

You can definitely overcome your needle issue during nursing school. You said your anxiety stems from hurting someone by not knowing what you are doing. Nursing school teaches you how to give injections so you will know what you are doing! Of course you will be nervous the first few times you give one, but injections really aren't that big of a deal. You will see!

LolaBunnie · Apr 17, 2009

i think starting IVs worry me more then just injections....

but i believe i was told you are not really taught that in Nursing school???

April, RN, BSN, RN · Apr 17, 2009

No, most schools don't teach IV starts but if floor nurses at the hospital you end up working at do start IVs, you will be trained. Some hospitals have IV teams so you may never need to start one yourself. In my experience, due to infection rates, infiltrations, and other complications, hospitals don't want a nurse starting IVs on patients without having the proper training first.

billythekid · Apr 17, 2009

From what I've heard, many nursing programs do not necessarily teach IVs to students... I had previous experience as a paramedic, so I felt comfortable with IVs in my first nursing job out of school...

A suggestion might be to get certified as a phlebotomist either before or during nursing school... that way when you hit the floor, you'll be an IV pro. It feels good as a new RN when everyone comes to YOU for the tough sticks or during an emergency. :)

LolaBunnie · Apr 17, 2009

A suggestion might be to get certified as a phlebotomist either before or during nursing school... that way when you hit the floor, you'll be an IV pro.

the last couple weeks i've been thinking about either doing a phlebotomist or EMT course.... any suggestions about which might be better?

Hushdawg · Apr 17, 2009

I have a terrible needle phobia that I struggle with anytime I receive an injection and even more so when I have blood drawn. Oddly enough it does not bother me when I need to give an injection.

My problem is not with the needle itself but the very uncomfortable sensation of fluids being forced into or drawn out of my body.

It is like I can feel the pressure change very intently.

The only blood draws I've ever had where I did not feel woozy or have any ill effects from are those I've had in the Philippines. I dunno how they train here that is different from the States with that regard but it works!

So regarding your "needle phobia" you should not focus on the pain aspect because really the needles do not hurt that much.

You also need to focus on the fact that you are HEALING people, not hurting them, so the prick of a needle to deliver medication or to draw fluids for testing should not bother you at all once you shift your perception.

cherubhipster · Apr 17, 2009

lord I think I posted almost the same exact post here before I started school! haha!

My fear was related to anxiety over not really knowing what I was doing. But once I got my practice down, I loved giving injections! Now I look forward to it because it makes me feel very nursely!

I always think of something one nurse told me.. "It doesn't hurt to give injections like it does when you get them!! You won't feel a thing!"

stellina615 · Apr 17, 2009

You will definitely get used to it! The biggest thing that I had to get over was the way that other nurses tell you to inject the patient using the needle as if it were a dart. I was SO upset by this and I thought it sounded awful and barbaric. But guess what? They are totally right! What's worse than having just someone give you a quick injection is someone who tries to be gentle and goes slooooooowly. Get a teeny bit of momentum going behind that needle, because sometimes sometimes skin is harder to poke through than you'd think! Good luck!

scared'o'needles! · Apr 17, 2009

as named...lol

It's not the jab itself that worry's me....it's the fear and the worry after the event of blood borne viruses infection (as low as they may be).

It won't seem that low if you are the unfortunate one that gets an illness.