how did you get over the nasty stuff?

Nurses General Nursing

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I'm a pre-nursing student and I pretty much know this is about the only profession out there for me. I am very interested in what i'm learning so far about the human body, illnesses and pretty much everything (i've also taken first responder classes and made straight 100's through them). The only obstacle I can think of is my squeamishness around blood and seeing someone get cut, seeing someone get a catheter, etc. My problem is....when i see someone get hurt, my mind plays tricks on me and it makes me "feel" the pain. I know i can get over this, I will try everything in my power because I really want to have this career. Anybody else have this problem? How did you get over it?

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Specializes in ICU/ER.

By seeing it over and over, by seeing that sometimes even though procedures hurt they help.

I dont know if I can totally relate though as I always want to see the ewwey gooey icky stuff. Even though sometimes I am in shock and awe, I am still amazed and want to look again....

Also just so you know, I can go weeks with only seeing a few drop of blood. I have to laugh when family members say "Oh I couldnt be a nurse, I couldnt deal with blood and guts all day"...well I have never seen "guts" I dont work in surgery.

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By seeing it over and over, by seeing that sometimes even though procedures hurt they help.

I dont know if I can totally relate though as I always want to see the ewwey gooey icky stuff. Even though sometimes I am in shock and awe, I am still amazed and want to look again....

Also just so you know, I can go weeks with only seeing a few drop of blood. I have to laugh when family members say "Oh I couldnt be a nurse, I couldnt deal with blood and guts all day"...well I have never seen "guts" I dont work in surgery.

That's true, and i definitely don't plan to work in surgery anyway, lol.

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Specializes in Day Surgery, Agency, Cath Lab, LTC/Psych.

I'll tell you a secret. Every nurse has something that makes them squeamish--earwax, pilonidal cysts, explosive diarrhea, etc. You just have to accept what you can and cannot tolerate and chose a specialty based on that. I cannot tolerate anything OB related. I think I would pass out if I had to assist a vag delivery. So, I don't work in OB. You will probably find that over time you will build up an "immunity" to your fear of blood and cuts.

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Specializes in ER; HBOT- lots others.

totally agree with what dolce said, if you know you cannot do that, dont be in that field if you can help it. some things you may need to deal with thru schooling, but know there is always someone else that hates certain things too! everyone has something.... whether they admit to it or not! lol

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(3rd year BSN for the record) I found that with all the schooling and gradual immersion, I was prepared to see it all, once I started to see stuff. I find no problem in any amount of blood, bone, organs, OB, etc...... Some fecal things make me gag a little, but deep mouth breathing clears it up in a moment or two. Super necrotic/infectious tissues are more like "eewww", but tolerable. I imagine after another semester or two, I hope I will be like all the rest of the professionals, not even batting an eye. It is natural to be squemish about this stuff. And it is natural to develop "tolerance" to it after time. Worse case scenario, you go into a part of nursing low in whatever triggers your reflex.

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Specializes in CCU,ICU,ER retired.

At first I had problems with everything but over time and repetition I can do everything except one thing and that is gray matter I almost pass out everytime I see it. Another thing that makes me a little nauseous is the smell of large quantities of blood. But Gray Matter is the biggie. That has dropped me out cold to the floor.

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I'll tell you a secret. Every nurse has something that makes them squeamish--earwax, pilonidal cysts, explosive diarrhea, etc. You just have to accept what you can and cannot tolerate and chose a specialty based on that. I cannot tolerate anything OB related. I think I would pass out if I had to assist a vag delivery. So, I don't work in OB. You will probably find that over time you will build up an "immunity" to your fear of blood and cuts.

That's so funny because OB is about the ONLY thing I can imagine myself in. LOL (well NICU too)

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Specializes in Cardiac.
That's so funny because OB is about the ONLY thing I can imagine myself in. LOL (well NICU too)

Me too!! but to each their own I guess

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Specializes in Ortho, Case Management, blabla.

I've been in the field for five years. At first it was grossout city. The only thing that still gets to me anymore is the sweet/potpourri odor of gas gangrene. I hate it hate it hate it hate it. I don't think I'll ever get used to it...it makes me gag.

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Specializes in Day Surgery, Agency, Cath Lab, LTC/Psych.
I've been in the field for five years. At first it was grossout city. The only thing that still gets to me anymore is the sweet/potpourri odor of gas gangrene. I hate it hate it hate it hate it. I don't think I'll ever get used to it...it makes me gag.

What about the delicious fresh aroma of c-diff? :barf02:

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Specializes in Ortho, Case Management, blabla.
What about the delicious fresh aroma of c-diff? :barf02:

Gangrene actually isn't as perfusely offensive as c-diff, but c-diff doesn't make me gag. C-diff is still pretty yucky though.

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