Any phobias you overcame to become a nurse?

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I am looking for a little entertainment :D Have any of you had to overcome any phobias to become a nurse?

I am starting the nursing program in January (finally!) and it is hitting me that I am within months of dealing with a...ummm...."minor" case of emetophobia. Okay its not minor, its pretty hard-core. There's the smell, sight, sound, the anticipation that its going to happen. UGH! I take off like a bat out of heck when confronted with it. It goes back to about 3--on a road trip an older cousin covered me in vomit head to toe and we had to pull over and strip me naked on the side of the road. Spent the next few hours naked in the car smelling like a regurgitated Lunchable. Not been a fan ever since.

I know I can get over it because:

1) I am stubborn, and this phobia annoys me--I can't imagine living the rest of my life like this!

2) I have a 3 year old who manages to vomit frequently and it doesnt bother me one bit. Some mothering instinct takes over and I deal with it no problem. On some level I can be okay with it. I just need to find that level when dealing with someone other than my flesh and blood.

Thats my theory anyway...:lol2:

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I was and still am shy, but don't mess with the patient's I advocate for, I am momma Bear

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Specializes in LTC.

I actually am in the same boat as you. I can't remember what triggered it, but when I was little my greatest fear was throwing up. My mom could use it as a great tool-she always told me one sip of alcohol would cause vomiting. I never had a sip until I was 21 and realized that might be a little exagerration :lol2: But I was a CNA for 3 years before becoming a LVN, and constant exposure has helped me. I still don't like to see the actual act(who does) but I can stomach it. I also RETCHED during suction-now I have to do it every day so it's nothing to me.

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I would get pre-syncopal if someone mentioned they felt nauseated...it lasted for a few years into nursing, but eventually I just worried about not getting it on my shoes :) And, I was sure any patient who looked like they'd puked in the last 10 years had a separate BASIN just for that- not the insulting little emesis basins- those are only good for holding salt packets from the meal trays :D I wanted them to have plenty of contained real estate to deposit their 'goods'...so I could walk with my head turned away to dump it down the toilet AS I flushed it- didn't want any little swirlies looking back at me :D

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Specializes in ICU.

I have a phobia of ******, catty, gossipy women. The constant exposure has helped me learn to tune them out. When they start complaining about something at work it's like a switch gets flipped and as their mouths move all I hear is that song "Raindrops keep fallin' on my head......"

Big smile, biiiiig smile

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Specializes in MDS RNAC, LTC, Psych, LTAC.

I am shy and alot of people thought I wouldnt overcome it . I have in alot of ways and have no problem advocating for patients ever. Becoming a nurse helped me get out of my shell. I am still a loner somewhat but being a nurse has helped me immensely.

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Specializes in LTC.

I'm scared of stink bugs ! Has nothing to do with nursing but I just had to get that off my chest.

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I'm scared of stink bugs ! Has nothing to do with nursing but I just had to get that off my chest.

Well, thank you for sharing - LOL :D

I have a general rule about anything with more than 4 legs....whack it first, and figure it out later!! :lol2: :eek:

In TX, I flicked more than one tarantula off of the screens in the LTC rooms, sending them sailing off for some patch of ground... blechhhh :)

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Specializes in LTC.

In TX, I flicked more than one tarantula off of the screens in the LTC rooms, sending them sailing off for some patch of ground... blechhhh :)

I'm in TX too and we have had scorpions meander on down the halls...being in west Texas all the little old men wear their boots and they don't hesitate to stomp first and tell us later :lol2:

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I'm in TX too and we have had scorpions meander on down the halls...being in west Texas all the little old men wear their boots and they don't hesitate to stomp first and tell us later :lol2:

Oh yeah- love those scorpions !! I was told to keep my shoes upside down in the closet, and whack them first before I put them on :) But I miss TX with all of its critters !! Like the dead armadillos along the road that someone poses upright with a beer can !! :hpygrp: First time I saw that I almost drove off the road !!

OK, sorry- back to phobias that were overcome !

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Specializes in Cardiovascular, ER.

My phobia is boogers. At first, it was vomit. In fact, the first pt I had that vomited, I had to run to the bathroom and I wretched a bit myself. Time and experience helped me get over that, now it doesn't bother me.

Now, it is still boogers. Especially the ones that are attached to the nasal cannula when you remove it from the pt. The last time I had to deal with it, I started gagging and discreetly called to CNA to offer her $5 to come help me with it.... I still can't do it. And I have no idea how to get over this.

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Specializes in Cardiovascular, ER.

We only had the small scorpions in FL. I was amazed the first time I dealt with one - they could really take a whacking with a broomstick! I couldn't kill the thing!

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