Future Nursing Student, fainted near blood

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Apr 25, 2012

Eh, it happens. I've passed out several times when I get my blood drawn. A nursing students in my class passed out while watching ECT. Another student passed out while talking to a postpartum patient (no blood, no body fluids, just talk). Others have passed out or felt faint while watching blood being drawn or watching surgery in the OR.

People pass out sometimes. It was probably a combination of the circumstance, the temperature, how much you had to eat/drink that day, the position you were sitting in, etc. It doesn't mean you're squeamish or can't be a nurse or even that it will happen again. Just forget about it.

A good rule for anyone is to make sure you stay hydrated and eat a good meal before clinical. It will help you stay focused and healthy as well as avoid any strange symptoms from dehydration or low blood sugar.

neb8790 · Apr 25, 2012

Thanks for the advice! I'm hoping it was just a fluke incident and that it won't happen once I start nursing school! What's weird is that initially, the professor stuck herself for a blood sample, and I was completely fine. It's when she stuck this girl who volunteered that my stomach turned. She said something to the effect of, "That's a nice juicy sample.. at least it didn't squirt." I don't know, that just got to me and I ended up on the floor with a nice shiner above my eyebrow from where I apparently hit my head, though I have zero recollection.

audi118 · Apr 26, 2012

I'm starting nursing this summer and I can still not handle the sight of blood. I know I will get over it bc I am a cancer survivor (leukemia -a cancer of WBC) and I've been covered in my own blood countless times because of the cancer. Right after treatment I started passing out ever time I saw blood. Been passing out for years now. Not too sure what I am going to do, but I just hope my professor don't give up on me because nursing is my passion. My honest plan is just to keep seeing it and passing out until I just get over it and realize it's just blood! Lol I know that sounds horrible!

neb8790 · Apr 26, 2012

Well I definitely feel better that I'm not alone! I'm sure it's just one of those things that we will get used to as nursing students, and soon enough it will become routine. I wish the both of us luck! :)

Anoetos, BSN, RN · Apr 26, 2012

Any blood sugar issues that you know of? Eat a bagel before class...

...only halfway kidding, more seriously though, don't worry about it, you're going to see (and smell and be actively dodging) a lot of bodily fluids before all is said and done. You get used to it.

neb8790 · Apr 26, 2012

Nope, my blood sugar is fine. And I had eaten right before class. Never fainted before in my life, so it was very unexpected. Thanks though! I feel much better about the situation than I did yesterday.

Juniper248 · Apr 26, 2012

Hey! My first degree was in nutrition too! When I was younger I didn't go into nursing because I was scared of all types of body fluids and working hands on with people. Now I've decided that I really want to go into nursing even if it it means being very uncomfortable for a bit. I'm sure I'll get used to it.

My suggestion about your fainting episode: Low blood sugar is a huge reason you might have felt faint. This happened to me a few times when I had not eaten. Before clinical make sure to have some complex carbs and protein! Avoid sugar in order to avoid dips in blood sugar.

Good luck =)

sandyfeet · Apr 26, 2012

Yes, I think you can become desensitized to this. Definitely. I used to have a needle phobia, and it went away after repeated exposure. The suggestions about eating before clinical are good because it just means you are setting yourself up for success. Try to get enough sleep too. And when you're faced with it, keep yourself calm and remember that you are doing this to help others.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Apr 26, 2012

don't lock your knees (we often do this by reflex when a bit tense), because it decreases your venous return and thus decreases your cardiac output. bounce up and down on your toes a bit, too.

breathe deeply now and then-- increases your venous return. no hyperventilation, though.

protein for breakfast, with some fat (butter, cream cheese) to carry you over. even if you normally get up at 6:00 am to be somewhere by 7:00, it's a long damn time until lunch.