needles

Coytoy · Feb 16, 2003

Dear Jkm,

I think it is just a state of mind. You will get used to giving injections if you put your mind to overcoming the aversion to it. I used to get faint at the sight of blood. Now it doesn't bother me (unless it is my own lol). In school we practiced on pieces of foam at lab, and then moved on to patients. I hear oranges are good to practice on. Good luck.

renerian, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2003

In school we practiced on fake arms. When I worked at the hospital some of us nurses let the students poke us to start IVs.

It gets better over time.

renerian

Flynurse · Feb 17, 2003

Sorry, I wouldn't be any help. I don't mind getting shots. And in fact when I decided I wanted to be a nurse I started watching any and all injections/IV's given to me at the doctor's office or when patients received them when was a CNA.

:devil: And to make myself sound even more sadistic I like giving injections to patients. Now, this doesn't mean I give out Morphine IM when my patients are in pain. I always use the less invasive proceedure first (giving meds PO).

:idea: Try picturing someone you really don't like when you have to stick your patient. Someone who makes you :angryfire burning mad!

nursedawn67, LPN · Feb 17, 2003

Giving shots to others I find totally different then recieving them yourself. We practiced on fake arms and were able to give to eachother if so desired. :)

TeresaRN2b · Feb 17, 2003

Just because you don't like getting shots doesn't mean you won't do great at giving them. I can draw blood and give shots on someone else with ease, but blah I can't look when someone draws blood on me. I have been known to pass out when getting my blood drawn and I have never had a problem with giving shots to someone else. The first couple times might make you a little uneasy, but it really doesn't take long to get the hang of it.

Angelica · Feb 17, 2003

I really didn't like giving injections at first, either, but after I gave about 100 injections at a shot clinic it was no longer a big deal.

CountrifiedRN · Feb 17, 2003

Lots of great advice here. I also think that it is different to be on the receiving end vs the giving end. I really used to dread giving a shot, especially to those peds patients, but one of my instrucors told me to think of it as treating them, ultimately helping them, rather than hurting them.

We were not allowed to practice on each other at school, we had dummy arms and we used oranges for our skills testing. You have to watch out for those juicy ones, they squirt back!

vaughanmk · Feb 17, 2003

I was nervous at first but had two ways to get over it. First, I didn't feel a thing. It wasn't me getting the shot or IV, so it didn't hurt me at all. Secondly, we did a flu clinic in the fall for school. Gave about 200 IM injections in one morning. Every since then I haven't had a single problem. At school we practiced IV's on a fake arm that flashed back when we hit the vein. There was no practicing on a real vein until patient's at the clinical site

Olivia407 · Feb 17, 2003

Hi, I know how you feel. I'm going through my last year of nursing school (BSN) and don't have much experience yet as a registered nurse. At first you will be nervous with needles and other equipment but after some practice you will feel more comfortable. Don't worry, you shouldn't get stuck with any needles at your school. Well, I didn't. We had dumbies to work on. Being nervous around needles also won't hender you as a nurse. Eventually with time you will feel more at ease. Good luch to you!

RN2B2005 · Feb 17, 2003

Don't worry about it. I thought when I was learning to be a veterinary technician (my pre- pre-nursing career) that I'd never be able to do the sticks--we used huge 12 and 14 gauge needles on livestock. But I did it.

I still don't watch when I receive injections, but I don't flinch when my son receives his vaccinations. You'll be able to do it, too.

Katnip, RN · Feb 17, 2003

You'll manage, trust me. I was so afraid of sticking someone. My first injection bounced off the patient!:imbar

What really bothers me is IVs and needles for blood draws. I can't stand seeing that needle sitting like a lump under the skin. But I did it anyway and survived. You will too. :)

It will get easier with practice.

Kat