Frustrated and Nervous

CBsMommy · May 11, 2010

I have this same reaction as well. My BP drops drastically when I get blood drawn and I turn as white as a sheet and start cold-sweating. I don't know why this would hinder your performance in nursing school....it hasn't mine. And I don't get grossed out at all. I was told the last time I had blood taken that I was hyperventilating which is why I have this reaction. The next time someone takes blood from you, take deep, slow breaths. But, I don't know why this would hinder you in nursing school....

cupcake231 · May 11, 2010

Well that is a relief that it hasn't stopped you! I was just afraid I would psych myself out and associate my personal reaction to other situations. Does this happen to anyone else as well? And how do you attempt to control it (as much as possible)?

cupcake231 · May 11, 2010

Oh yah and my body only responds this way with venipuncture procedures, not with any sort of intramuscular injection or anything...it's weird..

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · May 11, 2010

Okay, so I am really frustrated because blood and guts and other things DO NOT bother me...I don't even get anxious about having blood drawn or anything....and the whole time I feel fine while my blood is being taken BUT then after about 2 minutes my body goes crazy and I don't feel good and I sweat a lot and feel dizzy...is this normal? I am nervous it will hinder my performance in nursing school...and I don't know what I would do if I don't become a nurse...nursing is what I long to do....however, the sight of other people getting blood drawn and other procedures DOES NOT bother me at all! I am just so confused...

Well in nursing you're not getting your blood drawn all the time, and if being around other people having stuff done doesn't bother you at all you should be fine.

DayDreamin ER CRNP · May 11, 2010

Girrrrl, I would have never gotten into or through school myself!!! I pass flat OUT when I have any blood drawn. The nurse/tech sticking and drawing can be the most gentle and more experienced and I may not feel a thing but I'll still drop. I've gotten much better since I've started school and the last time I had to have 4 vials drawn I felt nervous and a little woozy but I stayed upright!

I've started a few IVs and watched several surgeries and I'm good to go. However, dialysis, really the initiation of the central line, makes me really woozy! I don't know what it is but I do not like it one bit!

good luck and don't be so hard on yourself.

meredith

allnurses Guide · May 11, 2010

If you only feel woozy when your own blood is drawn, and calm and cool around others, it's hard to see how it would hinder you. Now if it was the other way around. . .

Btw, is it watching the blood (yours) fill up the tube that makes you want to pass out? Is it the same when you look away? Just curious because normally the volume they take is pretty small and assuming your blood glucose is within normal range it should be OK from a physiological standpoint.

allnurses Guide · May 11, 2010

I was worried about this too before I started. Then I got into my first surgery and my natural passion for medicine and my curiosity took over. It honestly was fine and I was so relieved!

Chances are you will do well. :)

cupcake231 · May 11, 2010

If you only feel woozy when your own blood is drawn, and calm and cool around others, it's hard to see how it would hinder you. Now if it was the other way around. . .
Btw, is it watching the blood (yours) fill up the tube that makes you want to pass out? Is it the same when you look away? Just curious because normally the volume they take is pretty small and assuming your blood glucose is within normal range it should be OK from a physiological standpoint.

I can watch the tube fill up and everything....the woozy feeling just hits me out of nowhere...and it's the same whether I watch it or not... :confused:

RNTutor, BSN, RN · May 12, 2010

I think just about every nurse has a 'thing' that they don't like, or that bothers them. I've had some nurses who don't do vomit, and others that don't mind vomit, but can't do poop. Everyone's got their quirks.

And even the most experienced of us can have a bad day. When I used to work in the OR, one of the experienced RNFA's told me about how she had passed out and fallen flat on the floor (while scrubbed in, btw) on her first day of work at our hospital. And she was by no means a new RNFA at that time!!

allnurses Guide · May 12, 2010

True. . . there are just days when a certain smell or sight that you are normally used to just make you want to turn your head and take deep mouth breathing gulps until you can make a run to the restroom. I guess it shows how different we all are and though most of us have the same 5 senses they can vary in sensitivities over time in the same person.

slacktime · May 13, 2010

I have seen medical students faint in clinicals and nursing students get dizzy and lightheaded at some of the sights and smells that are part of the training. Nobody flunked out because of it. When I was a student and things got messy, I had a job to do and that kept me focused. I did feel lightheaded in the delivery room once, I sat down for five minutes, it passed and I stayed for eventual delivery by C-section. I was complimented for managing the problem and finishing the day. It never happened before or since. If you really want to be a nurse, you will get past this. Good Luck!