to be a nurse or not....

hi -

I recently decided to become a nurse and I've been feeling really good about my decision. I've worked with other people my entire life and I know I'd feel really good by helping others and taking care of people. I know I'd make a pretty good nurse.

So here's my thing...I have a phobia of puke. It can get pretty bad. I don't drink too much alcohol for fear of getting too drunk and throwing up; I tend to not try new foods for fear of how my stomach will handle it, things like that. And it's not even like I have a weak stomach either; I'm just scared of throwing up. The thought alone gives me anxiety.

Well, I've had tons of people tell me that they too had phobias upon becoming nurses. I've heard of phobias of blood, for example. And everyone tells me it's something you get used to and eventually get over. So I continued with my process of becoming a nurse and I might be starting an LPN program in the fall, provided I'm accepted.

Well my three year old is sick to her stomach today!!! She's been sick before and of course I wish I could die, but I clean up after her and I make sure she's ok. All the while washing my hands obsesively so I dont catch whatever's making her sick...I just feel like if looking after my own daughter when she's throwing up makes me anxious to the point where I want to cry and not deal with, how am I going to look after complete strangers when they're sick to their stomach??? I can deal with anything else with no problem, you name it, it won't gross me out. Except for puke! And I've come to find that my real problem is that I just dont want to catch anything so that I dont have to throw up myself...as long as I'm in the clear I'm ok about it.

Anyway, sorry for the crazy long thread. I just really need some imput before I embark on something I wont be able to handle....does anyone have a horror story of something they dreaded?? Or maybe some words of wisdom?? I really want to be a nurse, and I want to do it to the best of my ability. Maybe it's not for me; but I really hope it is!!

Thanks so much for any advise!!