Afraid to kill a patient

[ward81]

Hello,

I am a nursing student and just wanted some advice.

I am terrified that once I am able to work on my own, I am going to make a huge mistake and kill someone. I know it sounds crazy, but I'm really worried that I'm going to mess up big time.

Also, I am afraid that my stomach may not be able to handle some of the smells. Such as vomit, #2 etc. and I'm going to hurt a patient's feelings if I gag or something.

Did anyone else worry about these things?

Have you ever gagged over a smell?

How do you overcome your fear of killing someone?

[ComeTogether, LPN]

In regards to the gagging, it helps if you clear your throat or sort of mock cough into your sleeve when you encounter something that makes you ill. You can also keep a pack of tissues in your pocket and spray them ahead of time with your favorite perfume to quickly vacate the smell when you leave the room. Vicks works great under your nose, but will clear your sinuses out in a hurry!

[BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN]

I hope you're more afraid OF killing a patient instead of being afraid TO kill a patient....

[wellcoachRN]

When I was a newbie nurse, I had the same fears as you. As for the fear of causing harm to a patient, I would advise you that knowledge is your biggest ally. If you don't know something, look it up or ask someone reputable on your unit. As far as the smells, if they really bother you, invest in some essential oils such as peppermint, orange or lavender and place a few drops on a mask. A few of the nurses I worked with would put toothpaste sandwiched between to masks.

Honesty, as far as the smells, you will get used to it for the mere fact you are busy and you quickly want to get rid of the smell!

Wishing you great success in your nursing career!

[Skylar-blue]

I was emptying a patient's ostomy last winter during my critical care rotation. The smell wasn't that bad, but I have an incredibly low tolerance for smells. I waited till I flushed the toilet and gagged a little. Walked out of the patient's room with my preceptor who immediately started laughing at me about gagging. If it happens, it happens. Just do your best to hide it! I've buried my nose in my shoulder and have seen many other nurses doing the same thing to avoid embarrassing themselves in front of patients.

[Murse1919]

I have a terrible sense of smell so I am pretty lucky when it comes to the smells. Now for the killing someone, I guess I just always make sure I am very careful in everything I do, I worked in an ER as a tech during nursing school so death was something I got used to happening during my time there but the fear of killing someone is always in the back of my mind just be careful and always double check if you are unsure

[RobtheORNurse]

Sometimes the smell thing never really goes away. In nursing school, I had left a patient bedside to go and get supplies to clean them up. My instructor stayed with the patient. When I came back, the patient was vomiting in an emesis basin, held by my instructor, and the instructor was vomiting in the trash can. It was a sight to behold. Take a deep breath, do your best, ask for help if you're not sure and you will be fine.

[anon456, BSN, RN]

I still keep that in the back of my mind every single time I go to work. I think a healthy fear at the back of your mind can be a good thing if it makes you safer. But not if it makes you a nervous wreck.

As far as gagging-- I still gag sometimes, especially when suctioning any patient over about the age of 10 who has an nasty infection. I sometimes gag with oral care if the mouth is especially disgusting. And vomit still gets to me. What's great is grabbing an isolation mask if you anticipate gagging. It hides your face somewhat so the patient/family can't see your full expression. Also keep your head down or turned to the wall. And suck on a strong mint.