Am I not cut out to be a nurse? Please Help!

Sharawnda · Sep 17, 2009

Maybe you didn't pass out because you couldn't stand seeing your own blood drawn, but because you didn't eat, or were slightly anemic whenever you were having your blood drawn, which consequently caused you to feel light headed. Happens to the best of us. Please don't let that discourage you if Nursing is truly your dream!

OrthoNurse07 · Sep 17, 2009

I am a pre nursing student who is very excited about nursing. Yesterday I went to the doctor and had to have some blood drawn. I decided to watch this, being that I am going into nursing. The nurse was having a hard time finding a vein and was moving the needle around in my arm. It was uncomfortable, but not painful. All of a sudden I started to pass out. My mouth got dry and I was wet with sweat, and my hearing started to go. The rushed me over to the table and gave me water. I started to feel better and the doctor drew blood from my hand. My question is, Am I not cut out to be a nurse since I can't even watch them draw my own blood? This has never happened to me before, but I usually don't look. Please help!
Thank you!

Dear Kimby81,

I think you are cut out to be a nurse. Don't be so hard on yourself. Maybe, the reason you were about to pass out, is because she was moving the needle all around. Once you do clinicals, just make sure you eat before you go. On an empty stomach, you may get sick or feel like you will pass out. But if you eat, and keep your stomach filled. You will be fine. Trust me. I work in orthopedics, so I see wounds and incisions all the time. And If im starving or have not eaten, then I will get really hot and dizzy. But I always keep crackers or chocolate or gum, on me. Just in case, I start getting hungry. And i always eat a good breakfast. Don't be so hard on yourself. You can do it.

OrthoNurse07

Mrs.FullerRN · Sep 17, 2009

I know several nurses who do not like their own blood being drawn but are okay sticking patients. Don't get discouraged.

Spritenurse1210, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2009

You, know......Its a lot better being on the other side of the needle (you know, being the one DOING the sticking) as opposed to being the one getting stuck by the needle. Won't hurt you a bit! *wink* Seriously though, I'm not a big fan of getting stuck myself. Don't be too hard on yourself!

SusanRNinNJ · Sep 17, 2009

Don't worry about it at all, Kimby81! I have no problem with queasiness when performing or witnessing all manner of interventions on my patients, but put me on the "business end" of that needle, and forget about it! At my preemployment physical (for my ICU job, no less!): time for the blood draw, in the metal folding chair....tourniquet goes on, I get hot, get cold, get mad sweats, room goes dark. Last thing I hear is the clatter of the metal chair falling as I roll headfirst out of it onto the floor. Worse? I wake up flat on my back staring up into the smiling face of the ICU medical director. Worse still? My first words: "Ohh sh*t, I did it again....." :eek: He still teases me about it from time to time....

GOMER42 · Sep 17, 2009

You may have been holding your breath and bearing down as she was diggin around in your arm and elicited a vagal response that caused you to pass out. It wasn't that you couldn't stand the sight of blood or should avoid nursing.

Follow your dreams -and remember to breathe.

EmmaZ06 · Sep 17, 2009

Don't worry, I can't watch my own blood draws. I faint if I don't close my eyes turn away and put my head down, whether or not I have eaten. But I can stick other people. I have been an RN for 3 years and I have no problem. I was afraid at first, but it really is different when it is not you, and the more I have seen the more I can tolerate. Don't be afraid to get in there and watch every chance you get.

katy81 · Sep 17, 2009

Thank you so much everyone for your input! It makes me feel so much better!!! Nursing is my dream and I feel much better knowing there are others out there who understand! Thanks again everyone!

Flare, ASN, BSN · Sep 17, 2009

I've been a nurse for close to a decade and for me needles are like the spirit of christmas - tis better to give than to receive.

I don't mind getting blood drawn, but i'm not gonna watch it. And it is totally different focusing on someone else's arm and fishing for a vein.

SpringerCab · Sep 17, 2009

I have been a nurse for over 30 years and when I was first in nursing school I was watching a blood gas being drawn and almost passed out. I went to surgery and watched a lady partsl hysterectomy being done and almost passed out. What I found out was that if I don't look around while certain procedures are being done I get that feeling. As long as I am assisting and not just observing I am fine. I don't have any trouble starting IV's or even drawing blood. Hope this helps.

mich321 · Sep 17, 2009

You are not alone! I have passed out 3 times while donating blood. I also passed out at the hospital lab while getting blood drawn once, head down on the little table that goes across your lap. I am an RN now, and it doesn't phase me to draw blood from someone else! It's only a problem when I'm the patient :)