can i still be a nurse if i pass out from shots?

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in the past year i got my blood drawn 4 times, 2 times i passed out and the other 2 times i saw stars. i think i am fine with giving other people shots and taking blood but im not sure.

in human anatomy i had to cut a pigfetus ,goat brain,goat eyeball open by myself and i was fine with that

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Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

You're not alone. I routinely feel faint or pass out when I get blood drawn, get immunizations, sometimes even with my annual TB test, and there's no chance I could ever donate blood. And I'm not the only one of my colleagues who have the same problem. I've been a nurse for 6 years, given hundreds of injections and placed hundreds of IVs. There's no reason you can't be a nurse because you don't like needles.

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thank you this makes me feel better

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I don't pass out but I can get lightheaded with shots. I have no problem giving them though.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

The last time I received an injection, other than a regular PPD, my ex-husband held me in a headlock while the doctor (not the nurse) gave me the injection. I had been nursing 16 years at that time.:blink: For the annual PPDs, I just cry...that's all.:cry:

On the job, though, I'm one of the go-to people for IVs.:up:

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I think you'll be okay. See if you can practice on a willing participant first, and if you're not queasy at all then you'll be fine! It's totally normal to be really nervous the first time you take blood from a real patient.

I personally know at least three nurses who can't give blood because getting stuck makes them super-queasy.

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I also had a tendency to pass out from needles/blood draws (happened twice) before starting nursing school. I only ran into one situation in school from watching my first Arterial line placement - i got queasy, then left and ate a protein bar then everything was good! Try not to expose yourself to first experiences such as mine on an empty stomach and you'll be fine. After that day, I've had no issues with queasiness or passing out since. That was maybe 8 years ago and Ive been an ICU nurse since graduating and I see some very blood situations almost daily.

Also, sticking people with needles and getting blood or IVs was never an issue for me, it was just when I would be the one getting stuck lol.

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Specializes in ED.

The last time I had blood drawn, the nurse looked at me and asked "are you going to pass out?" I just started yelling "I don't know, just do it oh my god!!!". I'm an ER nurse btw, hahahaha.

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For a while I would pass out seeing people get IV's/Blood draws, but once I learned how to do them, I have no problems. It takes time to feel comfortable seeing things. I think once you're safely exposed to it a few times, it gets better.

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