Fears and Anxieties starting out...

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So here I am, about to embark on this new career. I start the RN program on August 31, and soon after will be starting clinicals at a big hospital. Everyday I look at 6 huge textbooks that beg to be read and I'm somewhat okay with that. I think/hope I am prepared for the workload. My biggest fear though is hating the career because I can't get comfortable with the direct contact with patients. I keep looking at strangers around me and I think, hmmn, what if I just had to go put a catheter in that guy??? Cleaning up the fluids... smelling people who aren't clean, touching complete strangers. Believe me, I am not a prude and I can wipe up one of my children or if need be, could do so

for my husband or mother or father without too much of a cringe. I hope that this part of nursing is just something that you get more comfortable with. Does anyone have any insight or encouragement? Feel free to add your own fears or anxieties or if you have overcome some, we could all use coping skills. TIA!!

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Specializes in Neuroscience.

You know that this may be a problem for you and that's a good thing. You can start empathizing with your patient, putting yourself in their position, and thinking how you would want someone to treat you. Provide privacy and support, talk patients through what you are doing, and recognize what makes you uncomfortable as you start clinical. Then do what makes you uncomfortable whenever the opportunity presents itself. Bookmark this thread so you can look back in a year and smile. This is the least of your worries as an RN, but I can understand it being an issue now. :)

I'm so desensitized to the exposed body that if I saw someone streaking down the street, it would take a moment to register that seeing a naked bum in public isn't socially acceptable. You'll be here after your first year in nursing school.

Congrats on your acceptance, and good luck in school!

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I really think that you will become more comfortable with patient contact. It felt especially awkward for me when I was giving my first bed bath during CNA training a few years ago. I had this tiny little old lady and she just looked so frail and breakable...it took me so long to do her bath because I was paranoid about tearing her skin. My instructor absolutely cracked up after observing (he made sure to laugh about it after we left the resident's room) and said I was going to keep everyone there all day at the rate I was going.

I still am afraid of hurting people--that's probably the biggest fear for me. I'm not necessarily worried about the classes because I know I'll put in as much time I need to understand the material. I'm also terribly afraid of being late! I'll probably show up around an hour early to clinicals the first few times just to make sure I'm not late.

Good luck to you, and keep us posted!

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Specializes in ICU.

There are still a couple of things that can make me want to gag. Poop does not bother me in the least and neither does vomit. Mucous does though. It kind of depends on that also, but I had a situation in clinical last semester where I thought I was going to lose my cookies. I got through it with no facial expressions to the patient but inside I was feeling uneasy.

Last fall I was in a LTC facility. I was on the last day and I had been giving showers and toileting all semester. One patient had a very foul smelling bowel movement and it was all over her. She was just distressed. The look on her face broke my heart. She looked scared. One of my classmates and I got her cleaned up and clothes changed. The smile on her face when she was cleaned, made my heart happy. She went from being scared to smiling and being happy again. She had dementia so she wasn't going to remember any of it in 5 minutes, but at that moment and time, she was grateful to us. From that moment on, none of it bothers me. The patient is more upset and embarrassed than you do the smells take a backseat. You just eventually go in and do what needs to be done and unless it's really potent you don't smell it after awhile. Believe me I have the nose of a Bassett hound. Lol

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There are still a couple of things that can make me want to gag. Poop does not bother me in the least and neither does vomit. Mucous does though. It kind of depends on that also, but I had a situation in clinical last semester where I thought I was going to lose my cookies. I got through it with no facial expressions to the patient but inside I was feeling uneasy.

Lol

Me too!! I can deal with C-diff poop, vomit, blood, nasty infected wounds, but a few weeks ago when my client needed me to wipe one of those long stringy boogers, I had to leave the room and literally started dry heaving. What?!

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Specializes in Progressive Care.

Congratulations on your acceptance into the program! Nursing is a great career. You'll definitely get used to the sights, smells, and everything else you described. I had no experience taking care of another person before nursing school and I did fine. You'll realize that it's all about the patient and making the patient feel as comfortable as possible during such a tough and vulnerable time. You won't have time to think about whether you're comfortable with the types of things you described because you'll be so focused on making the patient feel comfortable. Then you'll come home from clinical, jump in the shower (don't even sit down till you shower) and think to yourself, "Wow, I DID that??!!" You'll be amazed at what you're capable of. It's great fun.

My only advice would be to never back down from an opportunity that scares you. If a patient needs a Foley or an NG tube put in, volunteer! Your clinical instructor will be there to guide you. Good luck and congrats!

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I never think you can become 100% comfortable with it. I think that you can learn how to tolerate it and how to put on your poker face and learn how to put yourself in their shoes. I know for me, I've been at it for a couple years now and its something I'm still working on (smells and poop). It doesn't bother me nearly as much as it used to, but I'm still working on not letting it get to me as much. I always had a weak stomach. The way I handle it, I either put some lotion under my nose when I go into rooms like that, or I just breathe into my sleeve for a little bit if its getting to me. I don't make it obvious though that the smell is bothering me! Remember, how would you feel if it was you?

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Oh, in light of smells: Vics under the nose, and if you can't do Vics due to allergies, lemon essential oil under the nose. I'm carrying those things in my scrubs.

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Oh, in light of smells: Vics under the nose, and if you can't do Vics due to allergies, lemon essential oil under the nose. I'm carrying those things in my scrubs.

I never thought of the lemon essential oil. Might have to try that.

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I never thought of the lemon essential oil. Might have to try that.

I don't know if lemon is the best one to use, but I do know that it worked pretty well when a very smelly individual sat next to me in a crowded movie theater. Lemon EO was all I had! (And it saved the movie for me.)

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Wow! I just went on a lovely journey Googling everything from Cdiff to GI bleeds to neuro breath. I guess it helps to know that everyone has a little trouble dealing with some of the odors. If everyone has trouble initially then at least I know it's manageable.

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Wow! I just went on a lovely journey Googling everything from Cdiff to GI bleeds to neuro breath. I guess it helps to know that everyone has a little trouble dealing with some of the odors. If everyone has trouble initially then at least I know it's manageable.

I want to know when I'm going to get over the boogers and mucus. :grumpy:

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