Getting used to the work

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Hi everyone. I'm Becca, and I'm a pre-nursing student. This upcoming quarter in school, I'll be getting ready to get my CNA *license and start my career as a nurse! I'm really excited, but the sight of vomit makes me want to vomit also, which also makes me worried about my career in nursing. I'm worried I won't be a very good nurse if I can't stand the sight or smell of puke.

Do you just overcome the sights and smells of some fluids over time as you're desensitized to it? My dad told me chewing mint gum is a good way to beat nausea.

Edit: *certification. Thank you Angie!

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

Hi Becca and Welcome to Allnurses.

It's true, some of the time we'll have to smell some unpleasant odors in our line of work and there are a number of ways that we cope with that. Chewing gum might help. I'm sure that others will be able to give you more ideas when you're out there working.

P.S. Nurses are licensed; CNAs are certified. Although both are regulated by your state board of nursing, there is a difference.

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

Hi, SpiltMilk, and welcome to allnurses! :welcome:

I've been an RN for 32 years working mostly med/surg and long term care. I've only seen patients puke a handful of times. The fact is that if a patient is nauseated and it is reported to the doctor, the doctor usually takes steps to prevent the patient from vomiting.

Also, as a student, you should check out the student forums. Click on the "Students" tab at the top of any allnurses page to find a listing of them. You will find lots of helpful websites in the sticky threads to help you with your nursing studies.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Transplant, Education.

I'm not the biggest fan of puke myself... I think that lots of people have a particular bodily fluid they aren't nuts about. You just kind of find a way to grin and bear it...usually by realizing that the patient must feel worse doing that than I do seeing it! Gum can help, too.

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Specializes in ICU/ER.

my fluid of disgust if phlem ( i dont even know if I am spelling it right--that is how much I hate it, I dont even want to look up the correct spelling!!!) On occasion I do have to suction I just go through the motions and try to almost zone out..

In reality though even though body fluids are sometimes present and we deal with them it is probably less than 5% of our job.

My wicked step mother --aka fathers 5th wife-- told me after once, "Oh I could never be a nurse, I couldnt deal with blood and guts all day"...OK I have seen blood, but never guts and I dont work in surgery!!!

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poop does it for me. I have to make an about face, get my gagging out of the way, before I can continue. I surely hope it gets better with time, because 2 years of nursing school surely didn't alleviate my trouble with it.

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