FAINTING...what made you drop?

[Music_Box_Dancer]

I'm a pre-nursing student waiting for my acceptance letter this July. I've been known to faint from time to time. So, here's my question, what made you faint during your time at nursing school?

I wanted to be a nurse (since I was a little girl), but I stayed away from the field because I listened to my family who thought I wouldn't be able to keep my knees from wabbling. Only after my best friend's daughter graduated as a surgical tech that I revisited my goal. This young lady was known to pass out during class and was laughed at by her peers, but her instructor kept the faith. He told her she could get through it. He said simply, "You have to stay focused. The patient needs you more than the floor does."

She ended up graduating at the top of her class!

I would love to be further inspired by another story. So, now that I'm seated, let me know what I'm up against!

[SoulChic]

LOL. Well I'm still getting my pre-reqs one but I worry about the same thing sometimes. I'm really not a fainter, and usually...especially with my kids, when they get hurt, bleed, anything....I jump right to fixing them up. But I worry about it. My grandma was a surgical RN for years and told me.....everyone faints, eveyone pukes, everyone get bothered by something...but you get used to it, you adjust, and then you become the best nurse you can. Hope you don't find yourself on the floor too much. :)

[MotivatedOne]

I can't say that I've fainted before but what makes me cringe is seeing nurses dig in a pt's vein when trying to start an IV. C-diff smelling feces makes me want to puke. But I haven't. But like the previous person said, everyone in the medical field will come across something that doesn't agree with their senses. They say sucking on a peppermint or waving an alcohol swab under your nose helps.

Good luck!

[MTTMPE]

I’ve watch six amputations. A man accidentally shot himself in the stomached, cleaning his weapon and the bullet exited out of his behind. They couldn’t close his wounds because it was leaking so, they left it open, with no pain meds. I fainted when I saw a three year old child burnt victim get scrub down. He couldn’t scream because his vocal cords were damage during the fire. All I could hear was gargling and smell burnt flesh. I felt so helpless. I can handle adult but, children? I just can’t. All of this was during my time in Iraq. I knew then that I wanted to be a nurse. It’s different when you’re saving a life. I know I can’t bring my pt to 100% but, I will give them knowledge and will power too.

[audreyrasmusson]

Friend,

You get hero status in my books. And just wait; you're going to be the classmate everyone else turns to for encouragement and moral support.

I think you're on to something-- it's different when you're actually helping the patient as opposed to watching. Also, I think many of us have the extra sensitivity when it's children.

Best,

Audrey

Re: FAINTING...what made you drop? I’ve watch six amputations. A man accidentally shot himself in the stomached, cleaning his weapon and the bullet exited out of his behind. They couldn’t close his wounds because it was leaking so, they left it open, with no pain meds. I fainted when I saw a three year old child burnt victim get scrub down. He couldn’t scream because his vocal cords were damage during the fire. All I could hear was gargling and smell burnt flesh. I felt so helpless. I can handle adult but, children? I just can’t. All of this was during my time in Iraq. I knew then that I wanted to be a nurse. It’s different when you’re saving a life. I know I can’t bring my pt to 100% but, I will give them knowledge and will power too.

[sbrownRN]

I was accepted to nursing school and will start in the fall. I am so worried about this too. I have almost fainted twice . .. mind you not seeing a thing, once with my husband who just had his wisdom teeth out and once with my daughter who was sitting on my lap during her first dental exam! I know, crazy right? I don't get grossed out too easily, but I'm worried too that my empathy may be a problem! So, you're not alone, I'm so scared I'm gonna' hit the deck during my first clinical!

[Music_Box_Dancer]

I was accepted to nursing school and will start in the fall. I am so worried about this too. I have almost fainted twice . .. mind you not seeing a thing, once with my husband who just had his wisdom teeth out and once with my daughter who was sitting on my lap during her first dental exam! I know, crazy right? I don't get grossed out too easily, but I'm worried too that my empathy may be a problem! So, you're not alone, I'm so scared I'm gonna' hit the deck during my first clinical!

OMG, that's what my problem is!!! For the first time I realize (thanks to your insightful post) that my problem is not that I'm rubber kneed when I'm needed, but rather when I'm empathizing/sympathizing for someone. I get clammy when I hear of painful stories; yet, when push comes to shove, I'm front & center when someone gets hurt. So, it seems as though you and I will need to learn to disconnect our emotions just enough to get the job done. A trial and error approach to nursing that is, I'm sure, well worth attaining.

[Music_Box_Dancer]

LOL. Well I'm still getting my pre-reqs one but I worry about the same thing sometimes. I'm really not a fainter, and usually...especially with my kids, when they get hurt, bleed, anything....I jump right to fixing them up. But I worry about it. My grandma was a surgical RN for years and told me.....everyone faints, eveyone pukes, everyone get bothered by something...but you get used to it, you adjust, and then you become the best nurse you can. Hope you don't find yourself on the floor too much. :)

Thanks for the support! I'm not sure how I managed to get this post in both the Pre-Nursing Student Forum and the Nursing Student Assistance Forum, but I did. The other forum has had 26 posts and I've been checking on that, so I apologize for not responding sooner! I've heard the same thing your grandma told you. I put full confidence on that insight and experience. I'm looking forward to having my nickname "Rubber Legs" changed to something more glorified, or at least more notable.

Here's to staying on our feet!