Can't observe a surgery without feeling whoozy

[princesagris]

Hi everyone, I am pursuing a career as a registered nurse, my unquestionable purpose and passion :)

I've had a lot of hands-on clinical experience at the bedside and in the hospital. I've watched colon-, endo-, and broncho-scopies as well as many IV insertions, up close wound care, bodily fluids, etc.

However, when it comes to seeing a surgeon or physician cut into a patients body, with a knife for example, I get whoozy. Not long ago I actually observed the insertion of a central line (into the neck) and was up close observing every detail of it, every tug and drop of blood. Didn't realize until the end that I was actually feeling faint. Had to eat something and sit down to regain myself.

Right now I am an intern in OB, first week! And we have the opportunity to observe lady partsl and cesarian births. lady partsl births I'm excited about. Because it's a relatively natural process, if that makes any sense. But C-sections, I want to watch because it's a great opportunity, BUT, I am afraid. As soon as I see the doctor cut into the belly, I can almost FEEL the incision and it makes me feel sick just imagining it. I think my problem is that I think too much and put myself in the shoes of the skin/body.

Do you have any suggestions on how to overcome this fear, and whether or not you think this will hinder my ability as a registered nurse in the future? I don't intend to be an OR nurse, but I really love ICU. Any input is greatly appreciated! God bless :)

[RN403, BSN, RN]

So don't be an OR nurse. I think you can still be a nurse. We all have something that makes us feel a bit faint. Doesn't mean you cant and wont be a nurse. Try shadowing an ICU nurse and see how you feel and always eat well before clinical as you never know what you will see.

Best wishes.

[momrn94]

If you only feel sick at the initial incision, could you try looking away for a few minutes? I have felt the same way but for me it was more claustrophobia from the mask. Good luck!

[BostonFNP, APRN]

You are an intern?

Sent from my iPhone.

[hollyspiller0253]

That happens with me and chest tube insertions. I don't even have to see Cardio incise the patient...being in the room makes me feel sick. IDK what it is. I can literally watch/see/participate in anything else. To boot, there isn't much to see with a chest tube.

And this isn't even as a student, this is as a full time employee! LOL

I'm not sure how to help you other than deep breathing, but I totally understand how you feel.

[dixieyid305]

putting vicks under my nose helps me with the whoozing and the gaping..

[brownbook]

I think you can overcome this. You obviously are sensitive but it is all just "in your mind." Your mind is causing a vaso-vagel reaction.

When you think abut it, or start feeling whoozy, do what ever you can to get the blood pumping back up to your head. Take a few small steps back and forth, stand on one foot and move or shake the opposite foot, etc.

Of course you are in OR during this so want to be a little careful, but you can move around in an OR...just watch where you go.

[jj224]

I'd say.. Maybe watch a bunch of procedures on YouTube or elsewhere online to desensitize yourself as much as possible.

[cayenne06, MSN, CNM]

Maybe OR nursing isn't for you, and that's okay :) But I agree with PP; sometimes you just need to expose yourself to a difficult experience over and over again. Maybe make a conscious effort to seek out more OR experience, until you feel appropriately desensitized?

I personally LOVE blood and guts. But ask me to perform mouth care on a trached/vented patient, or deep suction their trachea?? :***: Lordy, I feel faint just thinking about it.

[DisneyNurseGal, BSN, RN]

When you are standing there, observing, make sure that your knees aren't locked. Stand with your feet apart, with slightly bent knees. Maybe your posture is causing the problem. Just a thought..

If not, like other posters have said, don't be an OR nurse. There are plenty of other specialties out there!

[princesagris]

Thanks so much everyone!

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

Focus on breathing and sit down if you need to. The only time I've felt faint was during a bone marrow biopsy. It was weird because I didn't feel grossed out by it or anything. I work in an ER and I've observed surgeries and nothing else had ever phased me. I pretty much ran out of the room in cold sweats while my vision was blackening so I could sit in the hall until I felt better.