Has anyone ever passed out during an emergency or have felt faint? How do you get over the feeling if it comes on?

[Newbie32]

Recently I experienced a frantic moment when a patient passed out on me and has seizure like activity... I reacted appropriately called the nurse in and grabbed vitals but I felt shakey and like I too was going to pass out luckily I did not but I am afraid that if it ever came down to an emergency that I might pass out this isn’t the first time it has happened during a rapid response. Will I ever get over this? I’m questioning whether or not I should become a nurse now!

[Daisy4RN]

Yes, you will get over this! You need to self reflect and see what is causing the discomfort/stress that is making you faint. Assuming it is not medical (ie low BS etc) it is most likely psychological. I had two episodes of almost fainting (I came as close as you can without actually passing out) during nursing school. I realized that it was the emotion of feeling what the pt was feeling (physical pain) that was causing my problem. I had to learn how to put up a wall and go on, and I did. Is it something like that, or maybe you are feeling overwhelmed in the emergency bc you are afraid of making a mistake ( if this ask for help etc)...try to think what your feelings/fears are and work through that.

Good luck, you got this!

[JadedCPN, BSN, RN]

Often times that feeling can come from the adrenaline rush your body is experiencing from being in an almost "fight or flight" type of situation. Hopefully this reaction will lessen the more and more you get used to it.

[CharleeFoxtrot, BSN, RN]

It does get better with time and experience. I find it helpful to take a deep breath and let it out slowly. Practice this until you can do it without thinking too hard. When you feel that squirrel-y feeling coming on do your deep breathing, use that to bring you into the moment and concentrate on doing what needs to be done.

[adventure_rn, MSN, NP]

Great responses so far. As others have said, it is probably just your adrenaline, and it will get better with exposure and experience. Think about it--how often in real life are you exposed to a true life-or-death, fight-or-flight experience? Most people aren't accustomed to the huge adrenaline surge, and it's normal to have a weird physiological reaction.

That said, if you truly do feel like you're going to faint, the best thing you can do is to remove yourself from the situation and do whatever you need to do to get past it (sit down, breathe deeply, take a swig of water etc.). The absolute last thing you need during a code is one of the staff keeling over. It may be embarrassing, but don't be afraid to take care of yourself (and honestly, if you're mid-code, nobody is going to notice).

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

When I did my OR rotation back in nursing school I was told:

If you feel faint, that's fine. You won't always feel faint. But if you feel faint, back up to the wall, slide down and sit with your head between your knees. That way you won't pitch headfirst into a surgical tray!

I still hear that in my head some days. Good luck!

[Green Tea, RN]

When I was a nursing student, I almost passed out by watching circumcision on a newborn baby. The baby boy was agitated and made me nauseated and dizzy.

I became a surgical nurse a couple years later. I have never passed out. I think you will get over with it.