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Discussion

Emetophobia!!!!!

I'm really having trouble deciding if nursing is the career for me. For YEARS, I've dreamt about one day working as a nurse, and my ambitions soared after I started volunteering at my local pediatric hospital. I absolutely LOVE the environment and a few years ago I participated in the Nursing Camp that same hospital offers for young adolescents who want to pursue nursing.

The camp was a week long and each day we would be in a different unit of the hospital [Psych, NICU, PICU, Cardio Cath Lab, and OR for example]. It was such a great experience to really see what happened during the day in a specific area, but I fell in love with the operating room. I got to stand in on a few surgeries, and it changed my life.

I'm asking for help and advice because for a while I was contemplating just becoming a Surgical Technician so I could immediately start working in an OR and help surgeons. I sort of pushed aside my nursing goal because I had the idea that a Surgical Tech would be easier for me and require a lot less schooling. But then I compared salaries and how limited the technician job is and it made me change my mind. I also learned that the Surgical Techs at the hospital I volunteer at [and someday hope to work at!] only prepare the room for the surgery, then they leave. I want to actually be involved, and that turned me off that career even more.

My main issue is I'm nervous for the clinical work, specifically vomit and fecal matter! Blood I can handle, no sweat. But I'm scared that I'll be in over my head and not be able to handle the cleaning/changing of patients, which saddens and worries me. I keep reading posts that many people eventually get over the unpleasant sights and smells, but any other advice or personal experience would be GREATLY appreciated!

Can you wear a mask or something when cleaning or dealing with vomit and poop? Just curious.

Also, when beginning how long does it typically take to specialize in something, like becoming a surgical nurse. I have to get in that OR eventually! If anyone could explain the process to me, that'd be AWESOME!

Sorry for such a long post! Any feedback or comments would be extremely helpful!

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    Didn't you post another thread just like this a day or so ago in this forum and get a bunch of replies?

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    • Author

    I posted the same one yesterday, yes. I've only gotten one reply. I posted it twice because I'm really desperate for some feedback from experienced professionals.

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    I'm not sure what there is to say other than, no one enjoys dealing with cleaning up feces or vomit....but the person you're caring for needs help...so you do what you need to do.

    A mask won't cover the smell....there's no magic answer, other than putting on your big girl panties and getting over it.

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    • Author

    Yes, obviously no one enjoys cleaning it up, I understand that. I guess I'm looking for more replies from people who can share actual personal experiences with me, maybe if they've overcame their weak stomachs and how they did it or things related to that. My post was also asking about surgical nursing too, not just about the vomit aspect.

    Thanks for your input.

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    Yes, obviously no one enjoys cleaning it up, I understand that. I guess I'm looking for more replies from people who can share actual personal experiences with me, maybe if they've overcame their weak stomachs and how they did it or things related to that. My post was also asking about surgical nursing too, not just about the vomit aspect.

    I know that I'm younger, but there's no need to be condescending. Thanks for your input.

    Didn't mean to be condescending, sorry you took it that way.....and I have no idea how old you are.

    I said what I said, because I don't think there are "ways" to overcome this other than just doing it in spite of the unpleasantness.

    Surgical nursing will vary a LOT depending on your area. I know that it's an option for our senior preceptorship and that new grads who precepted there have a good chance at being hired straight away...BUT...you should find out the hiring practices in your area.

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    • Author

    Okay great, thanks for the info. I'm also just wondering about the amount of time or experience it takes to even become a surgical nurse, doesn't it take a while before you can choose a specialty?

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    Okay great, thanks for the info. I'm also just wondering about the amount of time or experience it takes to even become a surgical nurse, doesn't it take a while before you can choose a specialty?

    That's what I was saying about the preceptorship. I have friends who are being hired as new grads in to the OR, but I know that doesn't happen everywhere. So it's going to depend on how the hospitals in your area hire for the OR

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    • Author

    Oh okay I see. Thanks!

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    Hi - lots of us had the same fears. I even added one and that was fear of a dead body.

    I overcame that in anatomy. And with the help of an awesome CNA who taught me post-mortum care with kindness and humility and respect.

    Vomit is bad - I have a hard time with that but just get it covered and up and out of my face asap. One LVN I work with does a great job but simply must gag and dry heave while doing it.

    Every area of the country is different when it comes to different areas of nursing. I'd ask around and see if any surgery centers hire new grads.

    Otherwise - many places want you to have one year of med-surg (I'm not a particular fan of that).

    I have a friend who went straight to the baby nursery and then got a chance at NICU and took it. She's been doing that for 12 years now and loves it.

    Good luck!

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    • Author

    Also, since you said new grads you know of are being accepted into the OR, I'm a little confused about the schooling. I'm trying to understand if surgical nurses take more courses after completing a typical nursing program including clinicals, or if there is a separate program? Sorry if this sounds weird, I'm just a bit fuzzy on the education requirements!

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    Also, since you said new grads you know of are being accepted into the OR, I'm a little confused about the schooling. I'm trying to understand if surgical nurses take more courses after completing a typical nursing program including clinicals, or if there is a separate program? Sorry if this sounds weird, I'm just a bit fuzzy on the education requirements!

    Are you talking about working in the OR as a nurse (as in a scrub nurse or circulating nurse) or are you talking about being an RN First Assist?

    The new grads I know who were hired in to the OR are working as scrub or circulating nurses.....there is more education needed to be an RN First Assist....and generally you need to work as a scrub and circulating nurse before starting that education.

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    • Author

    I'm talking about becoming a scrub or circulating nurse.

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