ALMOST PASSED OUT

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Not sure if this should go under "student" forum, but I wanted to get some feedback from seasoned nurses. I'm a CNA and on my last pre-req for nursing school. In my class today, our professor showed a video of a reverse vasectomy. I don't know what came over me, but I knew I was going to faint. I was afraid to stand up, but afraid to sit there and faint in front of the class. I did manage to leave (thankfully I was right next to the door), and did the head down/ fresh air thing. I was o.k. after a few minutes. I was then able to sit thru a tubal ligation video with no problem whatsoever. This really worried me, that I became faint. Being a CNA, I can handle the usual (unpleasantries) with no problem. I've wanted to be a nurse for as long as I can remember. Can anyone share a similar situation? I came home feeling pretty upset -- has anyone else overcome/dealt with queasy, faint feelings? Thanks.

Specializes in NICU Level III.
I've seen open heart surgeries, hip replacements, brain surgeries, c sections, lady partsl deliveries, just to name a few......none of these bothered me in the least. One day I was watching a bone biopsy with a large needle being inserted into this pts hip, I almost passed out. Couldn't figure that one out.:rolleyes:

Same here with all the surgeries... give me blood and guts and I can handle it..but I CAN NOT do lumbar punctures!

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Thanks for all of the feedback. It's good to know that some "stuff" can get to even the best -- I'm encouraged now!

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Specializes in FNP.

I was once assisting a nurse doing a burn dressing. I had to literally peel off dead flesh from this poor womans hand. It was so hot in the gown/mask/gloves, and I thought I was going to fall to the floor right then and there. I excused myself from the room and sat down outside for 5 minutes. I went to the bathroom, washed my face, and went back in the room. I was fine.

You'll be fine, just follow your instincts and excuse yourself need be to collect yourself.

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, CRRT,.

My pass out story had nothing to do with blood or procedures..i handle those well..so far anyway. Mine was my first ICU rotation. I walked by and saw a man on CRRT..all the bags scared me. I was scared of ventilators. Essentially, i was horrified i would do something wrong and someone would die. The patient assigned to me was a post MI being discharged. He was up and ambulating, showering..perfectly fine (compared to the other patients that were on the unit). I walked in to do my assesment, started to talk to the patient and chart, and felt wierd. Walked out to the desk, where a fellow student asked me if i was ok, and i mumbled something, and passed out cold. Luckily she caught me, and i didnt hit my head. But, becuase my BP was low and dropping, i spent my day in the ER. So..i DID pass out, from fear alone. Good news is. I love vents now..and i have assisted with CRRT many times, and it no longer intimidates me. I love ICU and really really want to work there...

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My silly contribution.....

I deservedly got backhanded at the dinner table from my father. He didn't intend to hit my nose, but did and it bled all over my dinner. My sister got sick and nearly passed out.......

She has been a nurse for 25 years now! :D

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THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! So far none of your stories made me pass out :):) Which makes me believe I'll be o.k. Thanks for the pointers on how to survive almost passing out, too! I don't want to be the "thump" heard round the world:)

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The only time I got queasy in NS was during my pediatric ER rotation. A 5 y.o. had jumped off the bed and broke his arm. They were setting the bone under fluoroscope. The child was sedated, but still moaning during the procedure. It was taking a really long time to get the bone in the right position, and I just couldn't handle watching them manipulate the boy's arm any more. I had to excuse myself d/t nausea/dizziness. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that I have a child of my own. That's also why I don't think I could work in pediatrics....I relate things to my son too much.

You will be OK. Could just be a coincidence.

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Thanks. I was thinking afterward that maybe the vasectomy got to me because I have 2 sons at home. I kept thinking, there is no way this guy is not going to be in pain when he wakes up! Thanks for the support!

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Specializes in Cardiac/Step-Down, MedSurg, LTC.

Things that made me have to sit during nursing school were spinal related. Blood patches and epidurals always made me queasy!

Oh, and on my "OR day" in nursing school I watched a tummy tuck being done... I was really unsettled for the first hour, but I got used to it and enjoyed watching the end of the procedure!

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I'd watch my own tummy tuck being done -- if I could afford it:)!

Thanks!

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Specializes in behavioral health.

I've nearly passed out a few times. I remember having a hard time convincing people that it has not because I was stressed out or grossed out. It was bizarre at the time, but I think it was a combination of locking my knees standing up, hungry, thirsty, and in places of no air flow for periods of time =P.

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Specializes in EMS, ER, GI, PCU/Telemetry.

i had a classmate in paramedic school (a very large man, actually) who went down for the count when we did our OR rotation. we were there to do advanced airway and got to watch some surgeries. the surgeon was performing a carotid endarterectomy and when the tongue was exposed i looked at him and he was white as a sheet and started backing up and lowered himself down.

he was waaay too big for me to catch and everyone else was sterile, so i just sat there and fanned him for a minute until he came to and was like "i'm cool, i'm just hypoglycemic".

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