Is anyone squeemish?

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I'd really like to be a nurse, but I do have a bit of a needle problem...I don't like to get shots or watch it be done. Is this something that can easily be overcome after learning the technique or with practice?

Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

I had a terrible time getting myself to push that very first needle into a fellow student's arm. But you know what? It Didn't Hurt!:jester:

Been around 30 some years, never looked back. Just like you felt weird doing your kid's tube at first, you can get past just about anything.

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Apgar10 - Wow, I bet it was fascinating observing the surgeries! (If I ever have that opportunity, I may need to sit down...or have a trash bin nearby in case I vomit...)

JBudd - I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who is having such a hard time with the idea of giving a shot, and I am very encouraged to know that you were able to get past you're aversion, and I am hopeful I will be able to as well. I always thought (while my son was in the NICU) that I could do anything he needed (whether it be an NG tube, oxygen and apnea monitor, injections...etc) I could do any of it because he was my baby and I love him, and he would die without it. But I also always thought I'd never be able to do those things to someone else's baby...but the desire I have to help people has never gone away. I want to see if I can do it, if I can get past this aversion and actually help people.

Again, thanks to everyone who has responded. I truly appreciate it.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

For me it has been way easier to do things to other people than to do them to my family members. My son had his fingers slammed in the door jamb when he was a baby and I almost passed out. My daughter slammed her head into the coffee table after she bounced off the couch and I almost passed out. I hear that screeching scream they do when they are really hurt and I almost pass out ;) For other people, I go on autopilot and just help.

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Apgar10 - You know, that is what most of my son's NICU nurses told me, too. They say they could never do these things to their own child. I guess it must be the circumstances you are faced with - my first experience in the medical world was being thrown into a NICU with a 24 weeker son who was barely hanging on and learning things in that way.

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The only thing that makes me really squeemish is watching certain surgeries, which is definetely why an OR job won't be for me lol but it's worse for some than others. Like I can watch a c-section with no problem but cutting open someone's chest makes me flinch.

I think needles won't be too hard if you work at it a little. Needles don't bother me but actually giving one makes me nervous lol.

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Thanks, Guiltysins. I find it very interesting that it is very difficult for you to watch some surgeries, but others are not difficult at all - but I'm sure we're all that way, having certain issues with some things and not having any issues with others.

Thank you to everyone contributing, it is very interesting to hear about things you've had difficulty with and the things that don't bother you at all. :)

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I couldn't believe it when I made it through my first wound care experience. This was an 1.5 inch diameter wound with 9 cm of tunneling and the wound care nurse directing was just digging around in there with a swab. But I made it. A lot of the squeemishness I've learned in exacerbated by the fact that hospital rooms tend to be warm. With that in mind, it's easier to remember WHY I'm physically uncomfortable.

You'll be fine. :)

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This is a pretty good topic, and I like the responses so far. I'm not so much squeemish as queezy. Blood, mucus, surgeries, needles... all that wouldn't bother me. Poop and vomit... sure to make me gag/vomit myself. I hope I can overcome it, but it's my biggest worry going into Nursing. I hope everyone will say the same thing... that I'll eventually get used to it. It scares me so much and it would be such a disappointment if that was my Nursing School downfall...

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Sock Monkey - I was just cringing reading about you're wound care experience...its great that you can isolate a reason and focus on that (the room being warm) and overcome you're squeemishness that way.

Gpatry - I don't think this will be you're downfall. I think you can get used to the squeemishness for the poop and vomit. I used to gag right along with the kids I'd take care of in our home daycare and not be able to clean them up, and changing diapers could sometimes be really gross, but after working with the daycare kids for awhile, and then having my own kid, I can now be eating a sandwich or something and someone else's kid will throw up, and I can still keep eating. Or my kid throws up, and I grab him real quick so he'll puke on me instead of the carpet...I'm easier to clean than the carpet, and he's my kid so...may seem gross to other people, but you get used to it.

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This is a pretty good topic, and I like the responses so far. I'm not so much squeemish as queezy. Blood, mucus, surgeries, needles... all that wouldn't bother me. Poop and vomit... sure to make me gag/vomit myself. I hope I can overcome it, but it's my biggest worry going into Nursing. I hope everyone will say the same thing... that I'll eventually get used to it. It scares me so much and it would be such a disappointment if that was my Nursing School downfall...

I'm in the same boat as you! Smelly poop and vomit are what bothers me. I get my first taste of the bedpan cleaning when I start my STNA clinicals mid July. :uhoh3:I've already decided to clog my nose with Vick's and fill my mouth with Altoid's.

I'm really hoping what everyone says about getting used to it is true because I hate reacting that way. It is really frustrating.

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I don't think there is anyone who can sit there and not be bothered by incredibly smelly poop LOL. Poop doesn't bother me too much but if it has a really strong and strange odor my eyes will water LOL.

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

I *HATE* getting shots and when I have to have blood drawn (or if I'm getting a Mantoux done or some sort of injection) I always have to look the other way...however, I can handle needles and give injections to patients and draw blood without any problem. The first couple of times you do injections, however, will be nerve wrecking! I did my first IM's at a flu shot clinic...you could see my hand shaking before I darted that needle in - the poor patient! I didn't hurt him though and he said I did a very good job and it barely hurt but I was still very nervous! Now it is a piece of cake ;)

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