Anxiety about dissection.

[megkat]

So I'm 5 days away from starting my Anatomy class. I was feeling really confidant about the whole dissection thing until today. My university uses cadavers and I'm starting to freak out a little over it. I don't want to be the person that faints or pukes at the site.

So do any of you have any tips or tricks to get over the initial shock of dissecting what used to be a living, breathing person?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

It may or may not help to keep this thought in the back of your mind before, during and after the dissection: "I am not hurting the cadaver because it is dead."

[DadStudentPerhaps]

I think the first thing a person needs to do is approach it with the mindset that this person donated their body so people could learn, and in turn, help other living people get better. You cod always talk to your PCP or Pharmacist about medication you could take to avoid dizziness or becoming nauseous. However, I bet once you get over the initial shock of it, you will block out the fact you are working on a body and focus on what you are being asked to do.... Don't work yourself up, Im sure a lot of people have had the same worries you have but but got through it just fine :-)

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

A cadaver is a wonderful learning experience. You may never get the opportunity to see the inside of a human body in this way again. Just remember that the person and/or their family voluntarily gave the body for science, and so no one was coerced into doing this. We had a cadaver in my anatomy lab and it was a wonderful experience that I still remember to this day.

[cass1320]

I think you'll be surprised how quickly you acclimate to it. It is intimidating at first, but don't be afraid to really dig in, as long as you stay respectful. When I did my cadaver lab, we started with the muscles of the back. The cadaver's head, hands and feet were all covered until we actually began dissecting them, so I was able to ease into it. If it starts to freak you out, take a break! Go get a drink of water, take a quick bathroom break, anything to give you a few minutes to catch your breath. Wear good shoes, cause if your actually doing the dissecting, you'll be standing for long periods of time. The smell of the embalming fluids was what really got to me, so I started putting a dab of Vicks on my upper lip. The smell also seeps into your hair, cloths and especially your hands. I found that if you rub your hands against stainless steel, it'll get rid of the smell. William Sonoma actually sells a stainless steel "bar of soap" to get stubborn odors off your skin that works great. Keep in mind what a wonderful gift this opportunity is. It will be so useful in nursing school and in your nursing practice, you'll definitely have an edge over nurses who never did cadaver dissections.

[Idiosyncratic, BSN, RN]

I think my school uses cadavers as well, and we start on Monday. I'm just as nervous about it! lol. The biggest thing I've been trying to tell myself, is to just think of it as science. It's fascinating, these people donated their bodies for our learning ability. The best learning ability out there. :)

[sno87]

These are some really good tips because I too have been experiencing a little anxiety. Three more days left before starting my Anatomy class.

[LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN]

I would have loved to have that opportunity to work on human cadavers. You will learn so much more than working on cats (poor shelter kitties) There is just no substitute for learning human anatomy from a real human. The smell of the embalming fluid got to me too, should have used the Vicks trick! If I were you, and I was a little uncertain, I would try to find some youtube videos of it so you can see what you will be doing. Good luck to you!