Hi AllNurses Community! First off I would like to say that I just joined today so I'm not completly sure I'm posting in the right area.
I am a high school senior. I have pretty much known my whole life that I was made to be a RN. I've just ran into a sticky situation. I get kind of grossed out with blood and veins and wounds. How can I get over this? Now please don't try to tell me "Nursing is just not for you kid". I've tried telling myself that but something in my heart just tells me that Nursing is where I need to go. I'd appreciate any advice you all could give me. Thank you soooo much
Hey, good question :-). Here's the fun part...my mom (way way way back when) wanted to go into nursing, but she didn't b/c she didn't want to give ppl shots...needles freaked her out. About 5 or so years ago, I ran into a nursing instructor who told me that after a day of giving flu shots...this problem with needles wouldn't exist anymore. So, I passed on the info to my Mom....who enrolled in nursing school & is now a nurse....& has no issues with needles....
Prior to going to nursing school, I actually saw an EMT place an IV in a Pt...and the silly thing was kinda moving in & out after having been placed (still don't know what the heck was going on with that one) & I felt completely sick to my stomach & had to walk away. There were a couple of other situations like this...but no matter, I went to nursing school :-). Still a nurse, after many icky things...those who posted that you get used to it...yah, you do. Or at least you get really good at faking it in front of the patient... :-D.
Your heart is telling you that this is where you need to be...then just do it. & know that sometimes you will be grossed out...& that you will get through it. It gets better...and one of the posters had a good point...when you look at things from a clinical perspective, it is easier to get through it....& a lot of those things end up being pretty cool to see...once you can look at the anatomical/physiological perspectives. Good luck!!!
You really DO get used to it. Working first as an aid will really help get you ready and over time you become desensitized to it. You wouldn't believe the discussions I have had over lunch with fellow nurses. At first it may be difficult, but everything improves with time
I will say though, there is only one thing that still makes my stomach turn and I don't think I will get 100% over......is excessive amounts of trach phlegm. It also makes me go OMGawd and it's the only thing I have gagged over (but only while pregnant). I have trained myself to never make a face or to turn my head if it's too much lol.
I definitely can relate with having to overcome "icky" situations. I was never really grossed out by the sight of blood or "gory" situations. However cleaning poo/vomit has always been my downfall. The smell/sight/sound of it gives me the insta-gag reflex.
I remember the 1st bed pan I had to change with it and I must have had an odd expression on my face (I was sooo desperately trying to hide it in front of the patient). The patient must have seen right through my efforts and said "Oh Dear, I'm so sorry you have to do this. I feel terrible." Thats when I made a point to say "No no no. Don't say that. My goal in this is to take care of you the same way I would want someone to take care of me or my family."
Thus one way to help yourself is to look at the person as a whole. Put yourself in their shoes. Try to remember that you are not simply looking at/cleaning poo, vomit, blood, mucus or etc., you are taking taking care of someone who needs your help. That has always helped me.
Also there are tricks of the trade (such as) to rid yourself of aromas of any smell. My instructor said to bring a little vicks vapo rub with you to the hospital. When you know you are about to face any situation where the smell may be overpowering, dab a little under your nose. It should help.
I also very much agree with any previous comments related to systematic desensitization.
No matter what you have to overcome, if you want it that badly, you will do it. Have faith yourself. :)
I agree with the other responder on page three, watch discovery health like life in the ER and other movies, it does help. I myself is trying to cope with facial surgery by watching Nip/Tuck. I cant bear to watch nasal surgery:barf02: but im dealing with it. Or even internet videos since there is not restriction to some films can help. But once in nursing school, you get exposed to it in clinicals and you do tend to get immune to it. Like for instance, I couldn't bear hearing suction in the school videos and when we were on the respiratory unit, I freaked out, but by the end of the semester, I was doing trach care with no problem. Just look at it like this, deal with the 5 semester or clinicals, then get a BS or MS degree and do Nursing Admininstration work or become a legel Nurse.
As a former EMT and Paramedic who started out just "riding along" with a friend to see what all the excitement was about but was afraid of the blood and guts as well, I understand your feelings. I had taken Basic Life Support and knew CPR but just knew that I'd be completely useless if called upon to act. I'm so happy I was wrong!
Let me tell you that real life is NOTHING like television. In real life instead of sitting by helplessly and getting emotional - I recalled what I had been taught and began to perform in a professional manner! The blood and carnage took a moment to process, but then that was put aside in order to DO THE WORK THAT NEEDED TO BE DONE. I still get emo if watching something on television but am powerless to act - that is how I am wired: action, not a bystander.
I recommend that you begin to believe wholeheartedly in yourself and begin to replace those negative thoughts with positve ones. Everyone has situations that we're uncomfortable with, but we overcome them to care for the patient. I know that you can change your manner of thinking about yourself and your skills to positive thoughts and become the amazing nurse that you were born to be!
Hi AllNurses Community! First off I would like to say that I just joined today so I'm not completly sure I'm posting in the right area.
I am a high school senior. I have pretty much known my whole life that I was made to be a RN. I've just ran into a sticky situation. I get kind of grossed out with blood and veins and wounds. How can I get over this? Now please don't try to tell me "Nursing is just not for you kid". I've tried telling myself that but something in my heart just tells me that Nursing is where I need to go. I'd appreciate any advice you all could give me. Thank you soooo much
Hannah1991
If it is truly something you want to do then you will find a way to make it happen. My suggestion is to visit a hospital or if you know someone who works in a hospital and ask if you can observe a surgery or observe in the ER or something like that. Maybe even find a dialysis facility that you could observe in now. I know the hospital that I work at takes senior high students all the time to let them get exposure to areas that they are interested in and help them with the decision process. Hope this helps and good luck with what you persue!!
Specializes in ER, ICU, TCU, Education,CCU, Research.
It's always good to know your limitations, however, you will probably get past that when you go to Nursing School. There are a lot of other areas in Nursing besides the bedside that can be very fullfilling (school, community, psych, risk management, case management, etc.). Don't give up your dream.
I was in the same boat as you, and now I'm half way done my second year of nursing school! This may not be for everyone, but I got over my fear by donating blood. Initially, I was so uncomfortable with the idea of it, but now I don't think twice about it. You get desensitized pretty quickly. As my nursing instructor once told me, "put your big girl pants on!"
I think after a while you will grow used to it, if you have to deal with it. Mucous TOTALLY grosses me out, and as I am starting clinicals, I've been trying to get over it. Over time I'm sure that you, as well as I, will become so desensitized and wonder "why did that bother me in the first place??"
I'm just a lowly CNA student, but I can relate somewhat.
Don't think for one moment that Nursing is not for you because of this. I was dreading incontinent and perineal care for various reasons, "grossness" being one of the top. However, last night, I did peri and incontinent care on my first resident... and you know what? It was nothing. Instead of saying "Ew gross", I approached it as just a part of the job, and even enjoyed a nice conversation with my resident while cleaning them.
You'll never know until you go. Don't be discouraged.
I have pretty much known my whole life that I was made to be a RN. I've just ran into a sticky situation. I get kind of grossed out with blood and veins and wounds. How can I get over this?
The way you get over it is to get regular exposure. Desensitization is inevitable in my opinion.
and it's the only thing I have gagged over (but only while pregnant). I have trained myself to never make a face or to turn my head if it's too much lol.
I definitely can relate with having to overcome "icky" situations. I was never really grossed out by the sight of blood or "gory" situations. However cleaning poo/vomit has always been my downfall. The smell/sight/sound of it gives me the insta-gag reflex. 
Code_VSA
96 Posts
All of the advice is great....listen to it.
Constant exposure to anything builds immunity.
Good Luck!