Anyone Else Have/Had These Issues?

[amethystrndrp]

Ok - I know I'm going to say something that's going to have people telling me forget it and/or disagree with my plans. :) But I have to ask anyway.

I have personal space/touching issues. I know that nursing will be a lot of things I don't know that I want to do/think about - thoughts of catheters enemas freak me out because I know what it involves. And how can you perform a procedure that you *know* has to be uncomfortable (or in my head painful)? I have issues with blood and gore but those I don't think will be an issue after awhile. I'm volunteering right now in a nursery at a local hospital and enjoy it - even though I don't really do much but change diapers when needed, feed babies, hold them etc. But I see the nurses doing the treatments for jaundice, IVs etc and don't think I'll have a problem in Baby World - at least in the beginning. I realize that LPNs don't have much of a role in hospitals or nurseries, but I plan to get my LPN first then my RN - I'm starting pre-reqs this fall (I already have an associate's degree so some of the other classes for an ASN are knocked out).

My plan is this - and tell me if this is at all possible (barring state differences): Get into a nursing program working towards the ASN, but once I have the credits the certificate of completion for the LPN, get that and start working as an LPN, while finishing the ASN program.

But I was just hoping that others have or had the issue I have with personal space etc and how you got over it if you did.... :) Thanks!!! (Oh and I am a newbie of course so go easy on me please!)

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I was pretty shy and had personal space issues when I started nursing and I can relate. Like most of my life fears, I just walked through them, nerves and all, and faked it. Now it's easy. I don't like inflicting pain on others, but we do what we have to do to get people well.

Different schools have the LPN option after the first year in the ASN program. The program here does that. Believe it or not most people are too busy in their program to take time to study for NCLEX LPN and orient to a new job that they just keep on keeping on for nine more months and become an RN. But I do know of a few students who have done this and it worked for them.

Make sure the ASN program you're planning on attending has this option. The school I went to did not qualify us to sit for LPN boards at all.

Also an option is going to an LPN program finishing that up. Then go for an LPN to RN program. This way you can work as an LPN but your not trying to become an LPN in the middle of a very difficult ASN program.

Good luck to you.

Feel free to ask any questions and I hope you stick around the other forums as well.

[amethystrndrp]

I've been doing nothing but reading all sorts of forums for two days now! LOL I've been through the travel section, AZ section, LPN section - it's fun reading; good to find people who have been there/done that and learn beforehand kind of what you're going to be getting yourself into.

I just want to get started yesterday - I wish I'd decided to do this years ago. But years ago my "concerns" were enough to steer me away. And I just hope that when it comes down to it I'll be able to work through my issues - if others can, then I know it's possible (I'm just looking for info on HOW). I was in the room when my cousin had her baby in October, but I couldn't really watch it - and I remember her nurse saying that she had similar Personal Space issues when she started too... But I think she did an awesome job and hope I have as good a nurse when I need one and can be as good myself (but maybe not in L&D). My aunt is a nurse (cath lab) and she says she still has issues with blood etc. These are all things that have helped me come to my decision to go into nursing. That and Grey's Anatomy. :) I always figured I'd do computers or medical and am not liking computers as much as I'd thought. I hate feeling like what I do doesn't really matter in the end.

But thanks for your your advice and reassurance that issues can be resolved - when I apply to the nursing program, I'll make sure I can go for the LPN part - but I think I asked this at one point to one of the school's advising and they said it was possible but that most people do just get the ASN. I just really want to get started. :)

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Good luck!

The "how" basically is to just do it. For example if you were a student in L&D rather than say "I can't watch this.........", you don't allow such talk to enter into your head, you go through the motions and you just do it, concentrating on staying in the moment and the task at hand, staying focused, talking positively in your head "I can do this..........." and then you find it over and then you get a boost of self-confidence that makes the next time easier, and easier and easier.

[caliotter3]

Since you are handling working with wee ones pretty well, you can probably work through your personal space issues with some thought, insight, and effort on your part. If you really start to get uncomfortable at some point you might want to seek out some counseling at your school (cost and availability) or even private counseling if you can afford it. More than likely, though, these issues will work themselves out while you are in school and on the job without any need for outside assistance. People usually get so engrossed in what they are doing that they lose awareness of the things that bother them. Good luck.