Getting over the needle queezies

Nursing Students General Students

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Maybe this is just me, but after years and years and years of being a patient on the other end of that needle, I still get queezy when giving a patient a shot or watching procedures such as bone marrow aspirations. Is there any way to maybe try and get over my needle induced nervousness? Is this something that comes with time and wisdom? Or will I be always biting my tongue and empathizing far too much with the dear person on the poiny end of the needle?

What did you do to get over that aspect of nursing that made you cringe?

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Specializes in PCU, ICU.

Oh im in the same boat as you, being on the receiving end of horrible iv starts and blood draws, one surgery it was 17 tries to get an I.V. started. Our only "practice" was on a dummy arm with no way of knowing if we actually hit blood or went straight threw vein, and now in our second semester we will be doing blood draws and I.V. starts as well as Med injections and I am so nervous to inflict on them what happened to me!

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I am also in the same boat. I have super easy to find veins but have viens blown on both arms and at one point leaked blood around the the needle (it was a steady flow onto the floor!). I cringe at the health department when I have to get titers, and vaccinations.

I have yet to do a blooddraws and I.V. starts also. I have done quite a few injections so far and the only thing I do is concentrate on doing it correctly in front of my instructor. I've had my first patients make fun of me for taking a long time even when i wasn't hesitating. Just make sure to let them know it's happening and then get it done as fast as you can while doing it correctly.

Have fun!

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

Basically, desensitize yourself! I have a huge fear of needles when I'm on the receiving end - I go into SNS overdrive! :lol2: But surprisingly, I have no problem handling needles and administering injections, drawing blood or starting IVs. I do empathize with the patient though because I know no one likes being stuck with sharp objects.

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