I need a little hope!

colleennurse, ASN, RN · Apr 13, 2006

My own blood doesn't really bother me, however I had an intense fear of needles for myself. Injections on other people do not bother me what so ever! However after what seemed like a million vaccines for nursing school, I think that I am now over my fear :) Hopefully in the world of nursing and nursing school, you won't be poking yourself :)

jenpstudentrn · Apr 13, 2006

Irene Joy,

This thread might help you :

allnurses.com/forums/f8/what-freaks-you-out-2717.html?perpage=20&display=&pagenumber=1

(Do a search for the thread titled: "What Freaks You Out" if the link does not work). Blood may bug you, and not others...but don't worry! Rest assured that everyone has something that make them feel a little sick or faint! For me it is thick saliva. Go figure!

-Jennifer

jillyk*rn · Apr 13, 2006

you poor thing. there are different things that bothers every nurse. is it the blood that bothered you...or poking your finger (which hurts like the dickens!!!) is it possibly that you are like lots of other students, and not taking care of yourself (maybe didn't eat) and maybe that is what made you queasy.

try not to be too hard on yourself.

take care!!!

shock-me-sane · Apr 14, 2006

when i took bio we did a blood typing test on ourselves. we unfortunately had some dull piece of metal to stab our finger with. it took me quite some time to get anything out. i started to feel sick and dizzy, i put my head down. then i passed out and fell out of my chair (thankfully someone was standing behind me and caught me). i got nervous that i couldn't do nursing. but here i am in my 3rd quarter and have done tons of shots and sucessfully started an IV on tuesday.

i found out i don't like my own blood. i don't watch when a needle is going into me, it makes me feel sick and i start thinking about it too much. but i can do it to someone else and see their blood and it doesn't freak me out. i do get a bit nervous thinking about doing the er rotation and seeing a pole punctured through someone, but i figure it's not me so i can handle it.

so don't stress too much, totally possible to do nursing even though you passed out.

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Apr 14, 2006

I'm pretty tough as a patient and I feel like I can do anything as a nurse without getting squeamish, but there's something about sticking my own finger that just doesn't sit well with me. Can't do it!

There are a few practical things you can do to lessen the chances of a vagal issue in the future. Had you eaten well and rested well that day?

MIA-RN1, RN · Apr 14, 2006

I think you had a response that is pretty normal. Multiple self-inflicted finger sticks and then watching your blood spin?? You poor thing.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Apr 14, 2006

what you experienced is called a vasovagal response, or a syncopal episode. in layman's language, you fainted. i've seen this happen a couple of times to strapping young men when we either drew their blood, started an iv in them or gave them an im injection. it's because the peripheral blood vessels constrict in order to shunt blood to the central body core, a protective action, resulting in greatly decreased blood supply to the brain. viola! you pass out! the treatment is to lie down so more blood can get to your head. i imagine that over time you will, hopefully, become desensitized to seeing your own blood. i'd find more links to information about this for you, but i'm having problems with my internet connection speed and it's taking forever to get data downloaded. if you want to learn more about it, just do a search for "vasovagal response". here is one link that pertains to what happened to you.

http://experts.about.com/q/first-aid-995/fainting.htm

Natkat, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 15, 2006

I wouldn't worry about it. I can look at other people's blood and stick needles in people with no problem. If someone sticks a needle in me it's another story. I also freak when I see my own blood. I think it's normal. I don't think you'll have a problem with nursing.

liljsmom02 · Apr 15, 2006

when i started out nothing bothered me. blood,dputum,vomit,feces. then one day when giving an IM injection to a very skiiny man, i hit the bone. i almost hit the floor in the room. everytime i give an IM to an elderly patient i vavan't help but get lightheaded. we all have our thing.

kukukajoo, LPN · Apr 15, 2006

I am with you girl!! Having three kids, I was the "nurse" of the neighborhood all their lives. Cuts, scrapes, Broken bones, even a skull fracture bleeding profusely was handled with ease by me- AS LONG AS IT ISNT MY BLOOD!

Yeah, I do okay most of the time with my own blood tests but every once in awhile I will pass out.

Well, one day hurrying to get dishes done as hubby was on way home from work, I cut my pinky on a glass that broke with my hand in it! Cut it right across the top, buy the bottom knuckle. You know how water makes it look like lots more blood? Yup! I looked down, and the way my finger was bent, I could see blood pulsing out (not squitring but was a gusher), and no finger in site!! The way I had it bent into an almost fist hid the pinky!!! Yeah I can laugh now!!

Well the poor neighborhood kids ran home! I started to pass out and KEPT passing out continually!! every time I started to come to, I was right back down! Thankfully hubby came home and I was able to control bleeding and make it to docs. It really wasnt that bad! But i was still feeling faint and when PA went to stitch me he laid me down. Thank goodness, as my doc poked his head in and said, "oh it is a gusher" and out I went again!

BUT I am fine with other peoples blood! Go figure!

flasandy42 · Apr 15, 2006

>>>

i think mucous bothers a lot of nurses more than blood or emesis. i'm doing private duty home health and have a pt with throat ca. after i give his breathing tx's he coughs up a lot. i think it's yucky because it just hangs there in slimy strings that never seem to stop...lol.