Fear of hospitals

Flare, ASN, BSN · Jun 19, 2008

Immersion therapy may behoove you. You may want to look into volunteering at your local hospital or even taking a job that will put you in the building but not in all the action then ease yourself into the corridors that make your knees knock. Perhaps once you get to see some of the inner workings and you aren't just there because you or a friend or family member is ill you will begin to relax.

TexasPediRN · Jun 19, 2008

I too, hated hospitals.

Hated the smell.

Also hated elevators.

Hard thing to not take one in a hospital - got over that pretty quickly. Still panic if one doesnt close quick enough or the door looks like its going to get stuck, i'll get off and wait for another one.

Its just something you overcome during time - try working as a CNA - you'll be more nervous about work until you get comfortable then the hospital itself!

Also learn to calm your nerves - I need to sit down, and deep breathe, or I will pass out. It takes me 5-10 minutes to calm down and get my heart rate back to normal (I occasionally throw PVC's and get dizzy from them, causing above issues..)

gal220RN, BSN, RN · Jun 19, 2008

As a person who deals with OCD/panic disorder every single day, I understand what it is like to want to do something, but have roadblocks in the way.

If you want to be a nurse, you will need to get some help trying to figure out what this aversion is from and then acquire some skills to deal with your anxiety.

Remember, not all nurses practice in a hospital. There are many opportunities having nothing to do with hospitals. However, maybe your desire to go to nursing school will inspire you to dig a little and resolve any issues you might be lugging around.

Life is too short! Go for it!

Godspeed

ProLogic · Jun 19, 2008

For some strange reason.. I've always loved going to Hospitals and air ports..

MikeyJ, RN · Jun 19, 2008

For some strange reason.. I've always loved going to Hospitals and air ports..

So do I! I have been amazed by hospitals my entire life and used to get excited to go to the hospital when I was younger. Even when I was in high school and my grandma was dying of cancer at Cleveland Clinic (although deeply saddened of her condition), I was very excited that I was able to go to the Cleveland Clinic! :chuckle

And I love having layovers when flying because I enjoy being in the airport.

ProLogic -- I think you and I are meant for each other! haha..

AirforceRN, RN · Jun 19, 2008

BiologyNerd...are you already in nursing school?

Not to be harsh but...

you don't like hospitals

you don't like new or different smells

these things make you pass out and "whatnot"

Is a job where you are required to spend a lot of time in the hospital (at least in school) and are constantly exposed to new and "interesting" smells really for you?

Something to think about...

kythe, LPN · Jun 20, 2008

I've always hated hospitals too, but I don't think it is always contradictory for someone to want to be a nurse and not like hospitals. Many nurses work in other areas of health care. Regardless, you will have most of your clinicals in a hospital setting. If you want to be a nurse badly enough, you will get used to it.

I found myself (and still find myself) exploring my feelings on why hospitals are so scary. I do not remember having ever been a patient in one, but I have had two major surgeries under the age of 2 in order to fix birth defects. I believe I still carry a sense of fear and helplessness from those experiences, even though the actual memories are buried in my subconscious.

I have found that my fears have greatly subsided just from my education. It really helped give me a sense of control over the environment when I started developing a better understanding of medical procedures and hospital routines. In clinicals, you are guided through everything. They don't just throw you in and expect you to manage everything on your own. You will probably meet classmates with varying levels of discomfort as well.

I still can't say hospitals are my favorite places to be, but I've developed a familiarity to a point where I no longer have that level of fear and anxiety I once did.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jun 22, 2008

I am very fearful of hospitals. If I get in a hallway or smell something different I get really anxious and start passing out and whatnot. ITs just an anxiety I think...
But, if I want to be a nurse, is that something I can overcome? I would HATE to get in nursing school and have this problem and be kicked out or whatever.
Advice? Ideas?

As I read this post, responses came to mind, and I realize that what I type may in fact come out a bit harsh. I hope not, but I'm tired and my diplomatic skills suffer when that happens.

Thing is, BiologyNerd, I have been following your posts for some time now...you have just graduated high school last month, and have had MANY MANY posts asking questions about nursing, about salaries, about how you very much want to go into L&D (you love babies). You have gotten many great bits of advice, suggestions, and yet you keep asking questions that make me think you haven't followed up on much of it.

How is it that just NOW you are posting that you are "very fearful of hospitals"?? Regardless of where you might end up in nursing, you cannot become a nurse (let alone work L&D!) without clinical experience in hospitals.

You write that if you "smell something different" in the hallways, you "pass out and whatnot"?? Seriously?

I want to encourage everyone to go into nursing, but it seems you've asked far more questions about salaries and benefits over the last number of months than the nuts and bolts of nursing, and only now are asking about whether you can deal with even being in a hospital hallway, let alone handling the work of a student nurse.

WHY do you want to become a nurse? Is it just because your twin is going to?

BiologyNerd · Jun 22, 2008

Well, I have been and still kind of am, stuck between teaching high school Biology and going into nursing.

So, I am still trying to get that figured out. Oddly enough, I am very anxious when it comes to hospitals and public speaking. I have taught a 5th grad Spanish class and fell in love with teaching completely.

I have been present for my niece and nephew's births. I loved the labor and delivery floor and the post partum floor. And, having been born 3 months and 4 days early...I really would love to work in a level 2 or 3 NICU. Medicine fascinates me. I know I want to work with people and help them.

My other posts have been trying to figure out different parts of nursing: salary, job requirements, etc. I have done the same with teaching...and I know a lot, if not all there is to know about teaching. And am trying to do the same with nursing.

whodatnurse · Jun 22, 2008

You have gotten many great bits of advice, suggestions, and yet you keep asking questions that make me think you haven't followed up on much of it.

BiologyNerd - What she's saying is that she hasn't gotten any indication that you're digesting all the great guidance that has been proferred.

We all start out with idealistic notions of how things are that are shaped by the imagination. Now that you've received the advice you solicited, what actions might you take to give your mental picture of nursing a reality check...so you can answer your own question as to whether or not your fear of hospitals is something you can overcome?