Fear of vomiting and vomit?

[Nursetobe25]

I have no problem with any other bodily fluids (not to say they are not gross and I might not get a bit squeamish) but I can handle them for the most part with no problem.

If there is one thing however that I cannot seem to deal with and have a tough time with is vomit. Its beyond just a general dislike like I am sure most people have when they see it, its more like a phobia.

I am always so afraid that if someone is throwing up is infectious and if I am near them or have to clean it that I am automatically going to catch it, get sick and start throwing up as well.

I would hate to have that hold me back though as that is really THE ONLY drawback I have.

Have any of you had this fear and how do you deal with it or how did you get over it?

any insight would be great!

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Some things, after enough exposure, seem to lose all "ick" factor. Others, regardless of the number of times you deal with it....don't.

Once you are in the clinical setting and become familiar with IC, how things work, and more knowledgeable in general, I think you'll find that much of your concerns will become less of a concern....or even a non-concern.

I think you'll also find in reading through these threads that most medical people have SOMETHING that just grosses them out, no matter what :) We just find ways to deal with it. I have never come across ANYONE who left nursing (or nursing school, for that matter) because he or she just couldn't get past something they found disgusting. We all find SOMETHING gross.....and just work around it. You will too :)

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

I am always so afraid that if someone is throwing up is infectious and if I am near them or have to clean it that I am automatically going to catch it, get sick and start throwing up as well.

Vomit is something you just, to some degree, get used to. After 6 years as a nurse, I'm still not 100% unfazed by it, but I'm usually not gagging when I see someone vomit.

As for the infectiousness of it…I would think you should be much more concerned with a patient's cough or sneeze (and, trust me, you will get coughed and sneezed on) than seeing/cleaning someone's vomit.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I have yet to get use to someone vomiting and I'm several years in. Just hearing the gagging is enough to start me gagging. So my goal is to provide interventions to lessen this risk for this happening. If they start vomiting there is a good chance I will too. It happens. I just make sure I don't do it in front on patients and all is a-ok. We all have our own things that gross us out. I tolerated trach secretions, but have gagged on some super stinky mucousy trach secretions before.

[poppycat, ADN, BSN]

I have almost 37 years of experience & I'm still not completely comfortable when I'm in the same room with someone who's vomiting. It used to be I'd have to leave the room or I'd vomit, too. Now I'm at least able to stay in the room but it's hard.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Vomitus isn't high on the list of infectiousness except for norovirus and its besties OR for blood-borne disease if it contains visible blood. You might smell it and that might make you gag (hell, I still gag when one of my kids or grandkids gags), but these are not airborne diseases, so no worries if you are wearing gloves/splashguards for projectile. The CDC can reassure you on that.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

How interesting there is another member posting the same thing about infectious things and vomit. ((HUGS))

Vomit, while it can be particularly odoriferous, is not usually infectious. The simple use of universal precautions (gloves and goggle if indicated) and good hand washing takes care of the infectious gross part. You get very good and dodging the vomit.

My ick factor is sputum....and I don't mean regular spit. I am talking about the thick tenacious hockers, a real luger, that patients cough up into emesis basins. By the way if someone is going to vomit....don't use an emesis basin.

None of the more unpleasant responsibilities in nursing are liked but one learns to tolerate them. how do you deal with it? As you go through school you mature and grow and seen it as a natural human process.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

What are you going to catch from someone's vomit? GI illnesses are spread fecal-oral for the most part. Follow universal precautions and you'll be fine.

[flyersfan88]

I have a fear of vomit too (seeing it, hearing it happen, everything) but I'm getting better. My fear was so debilitating growing up that I would scream and cry to stay home from school on the off chance that a classmate might get sick in front of me. It's completely irrational, and I'm not afraid of illness, there is just absolutely nothing more disgusting in the entire world (to me) than vomit.

But I became a nurse anyway. And I'm doing okay. I do my best to get the Zofran on board before it happens. And I keep basins in reach for my pts if they're feeling nauseated. They need my help more than I need to run out of the room crying and fainting.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

By the way if someone is going to vomit....don't use an emesis basin.

This statement is almost oxymoronic sounding, but it is so true! They are not regularly stocked in our ED rooms anymore, but they make guest appearances here and there. However, I have someone vomiting, they are getting a wash basin.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

This statement is almost oxymoronic sounding, but it is so true! They are not regularly stocked in our ED rooms anymore, but they make guest appearances here and there. However, I have someone vomiting, they are getting a wash basin.

Haha when I worked in the hospital and our supply budget was cut, emesis basins were the first thing to go since we surveyed the entire staff and everyone said we would grab the big bucket (wash basin) if someone was vomiting. The only use for an emesis basin is to hold a toothbrush.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

The only use for an emesis basin is to hold a toothbrush.

Or for holding snack food (peanuts, M&Ms, etc).