I'm in my 3rd year of nursing school and I start my first hospital clinicals in the fall. I had a couple clinicals at a nursing home last semester, and I came very close to passing out during a simple procedure. I was really embarrassed and disappointed that I didn't even get to see the procedure. I was watching a dressing change on stage 3 sacral pressure ulcer. I wasn't "grossed out" our anything, and I was really excited to be able to watch the procedure. About halfway through I got a big wif of a bunch of nasty smells.. strong iodine ointment, a soiled depends.. all of a sudden I felt very light headed and sick. I tried to tell my classmates I needed to sit down, but I could barely even get the words out. I sat down on the floor because I could tell my knees were about to give out, and one of my friends pulled me out into the hallway. I was very pale and sweaty and still felt lightheaded. It took me about twenty minutes to recuperate. I think it was partially due to being hungry. I've only passed out once before, and that was when I gave blood in the afternoon without eating all day (I didn't realize how silly that was a the time).. I had a bagel for breakfast that morning, but it had been about 4 hours since, and I'm sure my body metabolized the simple carbs quickly. I was also standing very still throughout the procedure, so I probably didn't have very good circulation going on...
I'm really worried this will happen again when I get into the hospital. If I pass out during simple dressing change, how will I make it through any other procedures?! I'm not easily grossed out, I've always been fine with blood and needles, and I've always watched when I've had shots or blood drawn.. but apparently watching procedures on other people makes me pass out. Is this mostly due to not eating, or is it just something I'll get used to? Should I try watching videos of procedures to help get used to them? I know that sounds silly, but I really don't want to pass out! haha. Any words of advice and/or comfort are much appreciated!
I'm so glad for this thread. I'm also a fainter, not due to watching something gross, but standing for long periods and getting dehydrated. I'm concerned that I won't be able to eat and drink as much as I need when doing clinicals. I'd hate to stand out in a negative way as someone who is always trying to take a snack break.
I'm not a fainter but, I do get nauseous really suddenly for seemingly no reason. For me, it is helpful to mentally prepare what it might smell like, look like ect...
Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
I'm so glad for this thread. I'm also a fainter, not due to watching something gross, but standing for long periods and getting dehydrated. I'm concerned that I won't be able to eat and drink as much as I need when doing clinicals. I'd hate to stand out in a negative way as someone who is always trying to take a snack break.
I never had a problem. If I was started to get shaky I had some crackers and I drank tons of water during clinicals because it was always there. Easy to refill from machine, if I needed to eat some crackers I told my co-nurse I have low blood sugar and need to have a snack. Keep the stuff on you so you aren't having to go to vending machine or whatever. The nurses completely understood and most said they get the same way. You don't have to take a full fledge break. Just take 2 mins to eat a nutri grain bar or something. :)
second the protein for breakfast! it will keep you fuller longer than just carbs. and drink plenty of fluids! we once had a nurse who passed out because she didn't drink anything for her entire shift!
I also second using Vick's in the mask. It works! Don't lock your knees, and seriously, squeeze your gluts together!
I am also thankful for this post! I'm not in the nursing program...yet, but I start in the spring. I'm also a fainter. However, I only tend to faint when I'm the patient :) I do not react well to seeing my blood, or when I get injured. Other people's blood or injuries I can handle...but I've never been in too many of those situations so my reactions may surprise me :) I'm not a breakfast eater either, so it's great to hear that eating breakfast can help.
I'm also not in the Nursing Program yet, I'm still in pre-reqs, but I was very worried about fainting! Blood doesn't bother me, nor do other procedures I have witnessed, but felt there's always that chance, because I do feel faint sometimes, though I was sure it was to do with not eating as I should have. I definitely am not a breakfast person, but it seems that I'm going to have to become one soon. Looks like I'm also going to frequent coffee and nutri-grain bars.
.thumb.jpg.5aa4d55557c0228e31b94de19666bbbb.jpg){kind=small}
LGD2011
51 Posts
I'm so glad for this thread. I'm also a fainter, not due to watching something gross, but standing for long periods and getting dehydrated. I'm concerned that I won't be able to eat and drink as much as I need when doing clinicals. I'd hate to stand out in a negative way as someone who is always trying to take a snack break.