fainting

[NurseSN45696]

I'm curious as to how many people in your nursing class have fainted when first being introduced to starting IV's and things in clinicals that are new? I'm starting a program in the Fall and am wondering how I'm going to react. I've been watching videos on youtube to kinda get an idea but I know it doesn't compare to the real thing.

[ellaballet]

I'm a fainter lol, I never have from medical procedures but if I'm dehydrated, haven't ate, too tired, any kind of sick whoosh I'm on the floor lol. If you have fainted before you kind of know what it feels like, if I'm not feeling well at clinical or lab I excuse myself and get a glass of water and sit for a second. Just know your body and don't be afraid to speak up if you don't feel well!

[RunBabyRN]

I had a classmate faint during a c-section. You never know what that *one* thing will be until it happens! :)

For me (this was years ago in the family practice clinic when I was in the Navy), I almost fainted watching an endometrial biopsy without ANY anesthesia. It was... Something.

[I <3 OR, RN]

During clinicals when I was in lvn school I was assisting with a PICC line insertion by holding down the arm of a combative person because the ativan was not working. Well the room was hot (facing the sun in the afternoon), he was on isolation so I had on a mask and to top things off I was pregnant. Well the nurse was having a hard time finding the vein and had to bring in an ultrasound machine to assist him. Well as I held down his arm (he was more calm by now) and watched the monitor I started feeling lightheaded from thinking about the "digging" that was going on to find the vein so I looked away tried breathing and ignoring but finally had to tell him I had to stop. Thankfully a classmate was also in the room and she took my place. I don't know how I did it but I got my gown, mask and gloves off and hands washed and out the door sliding down the wall in the hallway into a squatting position before passing out but boy it was a close one!!! Now I know the warning signs and to get put sooner if it happens again. Don't feel so bad if it does happen. I also made it a point to watch any IV starts or blood withdrawals in order to make myself "immune".

[LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN]

Trauma: Life in the ER on Discovery Health might help desensitize you. They don't blur anything. Also, if standing, don't lock your knees, and do calf pumps to keep the blood flowing to your brain, especially in your OR clinical rotation, since you have to stand in one spot for a while.

[cannolis]

and do calf pumps to keep the blood flowing to your brain

Get some compression socks. :-D

[nizzle]

no one fainted in my class. never seen anyone faint starting an IV. you may faint, but you'll be fine...eventually.

[calivianya, BSN, RN]

I almost passed out a couple of times when I first had to do things with a mask on. I don't tolerate hypoxia well at all. I determined this because last time I went up to a higher altitude with family I had problems with dizziness and vomiting, and had to get out of the car and walk down the mountain while my family continued up to the summit. My body just cannot handle lower oxygen levels than normal. I snuck some masks home with me and started wearing them around the house so my body would get used to rebreathing its own air and still getting me enough oxygen. I didn't have any trouble with passing out after that.

[Racer15, BSN, RN]

Make sure you eat a good breakfast. I've been an ER nurse for over a year. Was getting ready to start an IV on a pt a few days ago, which I've done about a million times now, and nearly puked. Started feeling hot, dizzy...had not eaten prior to coming in. They aren't kidding when they say to eat a good meal before clinicals!!