Giving/Taking Blood

Nursing Students General Students

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I will be starting nursing school in January. I absolutely hate to have my blood taken. I get nauseous, dizzy, and nervous. My question is will this effect my blood taking skills for patients? I want to be able to do a great job. I dont mind giving and taking shots. Its just the giving and taking blood.

Does anyone else have this problem? Thanks everyone! :)

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yeh i'm like that too...i've passed out during my last 2 blood tests. i worry at times to how i'll manage in nursing school come sept :rolleyes:

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I thought I was the only one!!! :chuckle

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I'm not too fond of being on the receiving end of any needle for any reason, LOL. Actually, though, it has bothered me less since I became a nurse.

As far as skills go, I was actually a better stick than most of my classmates (except, of course, for the guy who had been an AF medic for 10 yrs - he was awesome, but practice makes perfect in most cases). Dont overanalyze what you're doing. Just get in there and do it. That is a key aspect of getting the skills down.

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Specializes in Urgent Care.

To me it's different doing it to someone then having it done on yourself. It's a skill just like everything elseTry to focus on the technique and not the blood, you'll do fine :)

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I often pass out when I have to get blood drawn, lol. I've had absolutely no problem drawing blood from patients, though.

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Specializes in ICU, telemetry, LTAC.

In my whole first year of clinicals I was not expected to draw blood from patients; the lab did it and many times they did it at 6 am before I was even there. The only exception being newborn nursery; I helped with a PKU but it was optional.

However, with giving shots... Now I have no qualms about giving injections to people, IM, SQ, other than the basic nervousness of first times and making sure I could uncap a needle without bending it, etc. But you try and give me a vaccine. I may as well be five years old. Don't stress too much, you may not even have to draw blood, and you'll find it's not as bad if you're on the non-receiving end of the needle.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept, M/S.

As I diabetic, I've had more than my share of blood draws and needles (though now needle-free with an insulin pump), but I get queasy at the sight of my kids getting immunizations or having blood drawn. Nothing else in terms of blood or needles bothers me. I just can't watch them getting it done, even though none of them cry (they are older now, but even when they were babies they didn't). Strange.

I think there will always be a procedure or two that may make us light-headed or tummy tumble.

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Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.

Blood doesn't bother me, taking or giving. I'm always eyeing people's veins for a good stick. It's not unusual for me to say "hey, you've got great veins!".

Yes, I know it's sick. Nursing school does that to you.

Kat

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Specializes in Gynecology/Oncology.

What I'm afraid of is being the guinea pig for my classmate who has never stuck anyone, and gets to practice on me. Yikes! :eek:

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