Fear of blood?!

[Pugglelover]

So I am in my 2nd semester of my schools nursing program and during my first clinical I passed out at the sight of the nurse inserting an IV. Nursing has always been my passion but now I am wondering if this will affect my ability to be a good nurse? I never even knew that I was queezy in the sight of blood! I have made it this far and I don't want to do anything except nursing! What can I do to get over this!? Help?

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

The first thing I always ask when someone faints- did you have breakfast? It may not actually be seeing blood that made you pass out; it could have been any combination of things.

Some tips if it truly wasn't the sight of blood:

1. Eat breakfast. There's a reason it's known as the most important meal of the day.

2. Don't lock your knees. Move around a bit if you can (shift weight from foot to foot, take a step or two, etc.)

3. Remember to breathe. Sometimes, people hold their breath without realizing. Make the conscious effort to make sure you are breathing.

4. Separate yourself from the patient. Identifying too closely with them can affect how you feel about procedures being done.

5. Smells. Sometimes, it takes time to get adjusted to some of the smells. Sometimes, you never do adjust (like when we're operating on someone with necrotic bowel- that stench goes everywhere in the department and is gag-inducing!). However, having something like a mint, an alcohol swab, or if it's permitted (and you can be very discreet about it) gum can help.

You might also benefit from this article: Why do nursing students faint? Five tips to help from becoming the patient - Nursing is More Blog