Shaky hands

Nurses Career Support

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This might be a silly question but I'm concerned about it. I naturally have shaky hands--all my life really. It's not that I'm nervous but just a natural thing for me. Would this really be a set back in a nursing career? What patient would want to see a nurse start an IV line with their hands trembling??? This really bothers me! Thanks for any input.

Hey guys... Do you know a support group for people having congenital essential tremors? I have tremors too and i was diagnosed by a neurologist... Please Reply!!

I work with a nurse in the ER that has "shaky hands." But she is one of the best pediatric IV stickers we have. So as long as you can accomidate. don't let it stop you or make you afraid.

This might be a silly question but I'm concerned about it. I naturally have shaky hands--all my life really. It's not that I'm nervous but just a natural thing for me. Would this really be a set back in a nursing career? What patient would want to see a nurse start an IV line with their hands trembling??? This really bothers me! Thanks for any input.

me too. Don't worry about it. Pts don't normally watch the needle go in anyway. Plus its easy enough to stabilize yourself. It's not a problem ;)

Specializes in Telemetry/Med Surg.

Wow...this post has cropped up again.

I'm the original poster....back in 2003.

Good news--I've made it through 3 years of nursing school, and have been an RN for a year and a half now and doing just fine.

Thanks for all the replies!

Specializes in ICU,acute respiratory care..

I used to have shaky hands and its quite embarrasing.You'll look so nervous specially when drawing up meds, performing procedures and putting IV cannulas etc.I had this since i was in the nursing school and it troubles my writing as well, so during handover times, i remember, i couldnt catch up because my hands were getting stiff trying to control the shaking, i felt terrible and fed up and was wondering why i got this.But then i found out myself that its due to drinking coffee a lot.My mom told me to stop drinking coffee and i did!.so 3 mos without coffee, i started to feel relaxed and no more shaking!..i totally got rid of being a coffee lover..and have been fine since.It has totally gone.So im not sure if this will work for anyone of you who have the same problem.But to make sure myself that the coffee was the reason of this shaky hands?I even tried to drink coffee again after few years and the shaking went back .I started to feel that way again and it could also make you more nervous when u feel normally nervous in certain situation.One suggestion is that, dont let yourself feels hungry no matter how busy you could be at work, thats another thing..and it will be a normal reaction of your body. those of you who drink coffee(or anything with caffeine) a lot with shaky hands, im sure you know the reason why..;)

I am thinking of taking a Phlebotomy course to see

how well I can do with my "shaky hands," before

I make the Nursing School committment.

Any thoughts /comments would be appreciated.

Hi, I must say I am so relieved! I have had this "condition" since my mom held me in her arms. When I am nervous or in the "spotlight" my hands jerk along with my head. Fortunately, it has gotten better over the years. I do know it is hereditary, because my dad has it but much worst.

With that said, I really want to pursue a nursing career but am afraid I will not succeed because of this. I also do not want to spend money and time on a nursing program if it is not for me. I am also, and always have been, embarrassed of this! Although I must say this post alone made me feel better about this dilemma.

DogsRule2, a Phlebotomy course sounds like a great idea! I am going to look into that. Have you done anything since your post? Would love to hear!

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