I almost passed out.

Nursing Students General Students

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My 9 year old son fell yesterday and somehow ended up with a mega-splinter in his forearm. As much as I tried I could not get the splinter out because it was deep, so a trip to the doctors office was made. While at the doctors office the Dr. tried and could not remove the mega-splinter. She decided to numb the site, but still could not dig deep enough to get it out. It had to be cut out. I was watching the entire process and trying to keep my son calm when all of a sudden......HELLO my world is going black! I knew I had to sit down fast or I was going to be falling to the floor.I actually felt my skin going cold, I was sweating, and I thought I was going to vomit. I left the room, a bit embarrassed, and went into another room. After sitting for a bit and washing my face with cold water I felt much better. Although I did get embarrassed I think it was a good learning experience because I now know how to possibly prevent the situation (eat ) and I know what it feels like to maybe faint (so I can get out of the way if it happens in clinicals) and I made a note to myself to carry crackers and a cool towel in my lab coat ...just in case!

As a side note, the doctor did say this does still happen to her on occasion, and it usually happens when the event has some meaning to you personally.

I am wondering if any current students have any other helpful hints to avoid meeting the hospital floor?

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I have seen alot of people fall during clinical. It hasn't happened to me but I have sure felt for those it has happened to. It is always a good idea to eat before seeing anything that might make you faint.:)

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Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.
Originally posted by RN2be

It is always a good idea to eat before seeing anything that might make you faint.:)

teehee...so you can PUKE and THEN faint...hardeeharhar.....Just fall AWAY from the sterile field...Practice mental imagry-go to your "happy place" if you think you are going to loose it....The first time I had to pack a big,funky decube-aargh! and the old gauze got stuck to the bone-and then I had to put my finger in there..........I had to sit with my head between my knees....Now if I feel funky I sing...."You are my sunshine,my only sunshine-you make me happy when skies are gray" or "Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so".........You can sing whatever floats your boat......Highway to Hell...Stairway to Heaven...whatever....
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I almost passed out when i was watching my first bone marrow aspiration....it wasnt the blood or the needles...but the moans and muffles screams that the patient made when they aspirated. It was the first time i ever thought i was gonna faint.

Pearl:)

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Specializes in LTC, ER, ICU,.

i, to this day gets anxious when it comes to my own children being sick etc...as opposed to anyone esle.

it sounds like not eating was part of your problem, since you mentioned one intervention for you to consider doing in the future is to eat.

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A bit off topic here but couldnt help it.

"When I die, I want to go like my grandma who died peacefully in her sleep, not screaming like all the passengers in her car."

I literally hit the floor rolling with laughter, I still have tears in my eyes.

Sorry, couldnt help it.:roll :chuckle :rotfl: :lol2:

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I almost fainted years ago when I was watching a c-section being done during my clinicals. I think thats why I cant stand OB, but I sure do like the babies!!!!!!!!!!:D

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I totally think it's a different feeling when a loved one is involved. I always get queasy when my husband gets hurt. He didn't think I could make it in nursing school because of that. I also get that faint feeling when I have blood drawn. However, it has not been a problem in nursing school. Been to the OR several times observing plus have done many IV starts and no problem. Good luck! I think you'll do fine.

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Originally posted by nursepearl

I almost passed out when i was watching my first bone marrow aspiration....it wasnt the blood or the needles...but the moans and muffles screams that the patient made when they aspirated. It was the first time i ever thought i was gonna faint.

Pearl:)

This is exactly what I'm most afraid of in nursing school; how I'm going to handle situations like this. I can't stand to see physical pain. I know I've got to get over it somehow, or at least learn to deal with it, but, oh, my...

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Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.

A little off topic but you know how you feel like puking when someone else is puking? Well I get hives when I see someone else with hives. I never figured what was up with that. We're not talking a light dusting either. I mean it lasts for days with anaphylaxis-like physiology.

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It definately has something to do with the patient (whether they are close to you or are in a lot of pain)!!!

The only time in clinicals the lights started to go out for me was in L&D when a young girl was getting an epidural. The anesthetist numbed the L4 area but couldn't get it so he had to go to a lower area, blood was squirting and she was screaming. Not a good combo. I think it helped me to focus all my attention on helping the patient with her pain and not look at the huge needle going in and out and the blood squirting.

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The only time I ever felt as if I was going to pass out was when I watched the Dr doing a vasectomy on my ex husband.

(I think I was secretly hoping and praying he would slip!:chuckle )

Now, nothing gets to me. Nothing I have seen in the past few years anyway!;)

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