Germophobic considering Nursing. please help!

roser13, ASN, RN · Jul 10, 2009

Given the recent suspicion of posters (troll comes to mind), I'm not sure that yours is a real question.

John20 · Jul 10, 2009

Ha! You're done before you start. The common cold is the nicest thing you run into in a hospital.

Become a telemarketer. No germs or human-to-human interaction there.

letarn2b · Jul 10, 2009

Im a germa phobic too .I believe most people are ,you are suspose to practice universal precautions on everyone anyway.good luck

PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2009

Agree with the trolling.

Please don't disrespectful nurses. We do a hard job and this isn't good; besides, karma will get you in the end if you misbehave...

Now go away and play in someone else's sandbox. This place is reserved for intelligentsia, not teenage type dementia.

Perpetual Student · Jul 10, 2009

It depends on the severity of your condition and whether its a true phobia or not. If it's just a little apprehension, perhaps due to inadequate knowledge, I could see it being overcome easily. If it's a true phobia that has a significant impact on your current day-to-day life it probably would be an extreme impediment to becoming a successful and satisfied nurse.

You do need to realize that as a nurse in most settings (particularly as you start your career) you will be exposed to situations that are rather dirty at times. You will be able to wear gloves, gowns, etc., but there will be times when you get some sort of gunk on you. Adequate handwashing use of protective equipment do go a long way in keeping you (and your patients) safe.

For what it's worth, I never touch door knobs (in bathrooms anyway) with my bare hands when I have a choice. Too many people don't wash their hands and the last thing I want to do is take a leak then go back to eating or whatever with someone else's feces (with Hep A or worm eggs or something) on my hand.

ETA: I don't see anything in the OP consistent with trolling, am I missing something? Even if it is a troll post, I believe this is a valuable topic that may help many people considering pursuing a career in nursing.

leslie :-D · Jul 10, 2009

oh my gosh, before anyone decides to hop on the "troll" wagon, op joined an's in 9/07 and has 42 posts...which i took the time and read several.

not a troll.:icon_roll

op, yes, universal precautions would protect you from germs...

but won't protect you from the gross factor.

if you are a true germaphobe, there will be situations that will have you running for the nearest toilet.

just something to consider.

leslie

Nurse2b123 · Jul 10, 2009

Not to be mean but i have no idea how you could become a nurse. Your at some point going to wipe a patients poop yet your using paper towel for a doorknob. :twocents:

kgard7777 · Jul 10, 2009

I appreciate all of the responses sorry if it comes off as "trolling" I have considered nursing for about 8 yrs now. My mom and all of her sisters are RN's so it's in my blood. However, working as a Medical Coder at a desk for over 7 yrs has made me comfortable having little patient contact. Although I keep thinking nursing is really my calling.

I just wish I wasn't so paranoid about germs and unclean people.

mizfradd, CNA · Jul 10, 2009

Have you thought about seeking some professional counseling for your phobia?

A behaviour analyst would be a great one to consult!

Do you have an EAP through work that could recommend available help to you?

It's worth a try and if you don't try, you will never know, right?

NeoNurseTX, RN · Jul 10, 2009

Not a troll. I am a germaphobe and actually have OCD, but I'm still a nurse. I'm more afraid of what I can get out in public than what I can get in the hospital!

I say see a psychologist and if it's as disabling as it sounds, see a shrink.

JeanneRN83, BSN · Jul 10, 2009

It sounds like you have OCD or obsessive compulsive disorder, which of course is not anything to be ashamed about. If you are not taking any medicines for the OCD, you might want to consult your PCP or preferrably a pyschiatrist for options for treatment. Everybody with OCD responds differently to medicines: some people get great relief of their symptoms, some moderate relief, others not much. However, there are quite a few medicines that can be tried. If you don't respond to one med, you may still respond to another.

Another very common treatment for OCD is behavioral therapy. Some people do both medicines and behavioral therapy, others just one or the other.

I find that when I am at work, my OCD almost becomes a non-issue. I am too busy thinking about what's going on with my patients. It's sounds strange but that is how it works for me.

I would recommend getting some relief first from the germophobe stuff with meds and/or behavioral therapy. If you've alreadly done that, then push forward and apply for nursing schools. A 2 year program would be good in your case because you will start clinicals during the first year and you will find out what your comfort level will be working with patients.

Also, it may sound like one, but it is really not an oxymoron to be a germophobe yet want to be a nurse. Another slightly similiar example would be a person who does not have a complete left arm because of a genetic defect yet they want to be a doctor. Immediatley, one might say that it would be impossible to get through medical school and residency having to learn and perform procedures with just one arm. But I have a friend who did. And she is an excellent doc.

So, if nursing is what you want, then go for it.

Jeanne