I can't stand needles, help!!

Seanurse, you can get over the needle thing - It's different when it's in your hands. A lot of nursing is that way....there were things that I thought I would never get used to that I have - it's hard at times to do things that make people uncomfortable. At first I just had to keep telling myself that it was to get them better. Now I do not have to remind myself of that as much. It's just kind of built in.

If you want to talk in person, I am here in Seattle until December....Just drop me a line and let me know.

Good luck to you.

First time posting here on allnurses...

I'm a 30 y.o. male making a career change into nursing. I'm still working through my prerequisites at a local community college so I've got a long way to go, but, I've got to know if any other nurses at one time felt as though there would be things that they just could not handle seeing or doing?? In particular, I am not real big on needles, blood tests especially. I'm worried that this will not change even as a nurse and that I may not be cut out for a career in nursing. Does anyone have any advice?

I have always been drawn to nursing and a career in healthcare; in most every other respect I feel I have the compassion and calmness that make good nurses great, plus I have a genuine interest in healthcare and health related issues. Can any nurses shed some light on their experiences and how they deal with things that don't quite sit right with them at times. Thanks!

SeaNurse,

I totally understand where you are coming from! I hate needles... that is someone coming to me with one intended for me.

I was always the one growing up that was passed out in the pew after a TB tine test. During L&D and OR rotations, I'd be the one on the floor.

However, I have been working for the past 18 years as a clinical infusion specialist and can stick anyone but, I still don't like them coming after me.

So yes, you can be a great nurse and hate needles.

DD

I think most nurses can admit to hating "something" they have to do or are exposed to. I personally find all things related to sputum (collection/assessing)....difficult not to 'gag' at myself!

Are you afraid of the sight of blood or just needles? I once knew a nurse who had a fear of blood - made her sick. She got over it....

Good Luck in your studies! You can overcome any obstacle if you want to!

Giving an injection was absolutely the hardest thing I had to learn to do in nursing school.

We gave each other SQ saline (this was a long time ago) and my instructor finally had to bump my elbow to get me to stick my partner! I had volunteered to let her stick me first, no problem, but sticking her was so hard to do!

Then in clinicals my instructors would hunt for me if anyone needed an injection. Other students would be jumping up and down: "Let me, let me!!" but the instructors knew how much I hated doing it and would search the linen closet and other hiding places to find me!

I rarely have to deal directly with needles now but injections, IVs, and blood draws on adults don't bother me (I still really hate doing those things to kids).

Not liking needles is definitely not a make-or-break issue; you will adjust and at least be able to tolerate working with them.

Agreed I hate having blood drawn actually i just hate the simple sugar stick for diabites tests. getting drawn for vials no problem go figure. LOL i can stick anyone but hate them sticking me. you will get over it. I better get over my fear fast since next semester we will practice starting iv's and you have to get stuck to stick. good luck!

I totally feel your pain and am glad you posted this. I too, struggle with whether or not I'll get over my fear of needles. I'm afraid of being stuck. Pass out every time. Didn't happen until after I had my daughter, 13 years ago. The way I get over sticking is to use disassociation. I pretend they're a chicken. :wink2:

I fainted in nursing school after seeing my first incision in Labor and Delivery Rotation. It was an episiotomy and it wasn't the incision that had my slapped against the delivery room wall cringing. NO NOOO NOOOOO....It was the 40 inch, no, I guess it was about four inch needle used to inject the lidocaine...sigh.

I agree you will probably get over it.

It is harder to inject your first IVP med though. You have checked the dose, your teacher has checked the dose, the charge nurse has checked the dose, you say a prayer and have GOD check the dose and ...well you still don't really feel great about giving this shot.

I almost fainted as well during my OB clinical rotation. I had to observe a C-section and funny enough all the blood and incisions did not bother me at all. However when they were about to inject the lady with epidural in her spine with the huge needle, I almost passed out and had to leave the room for a lil bit. I have a huge phobia for needles, receiving and giving, but I noticed that the more shots u give, the more u'll get used to it. I'm getting used to it now and it's not as bad as it was when I first started. I think that it's all in the mind and u can do it as long as u coax urself to. Good luck with ur nursing career!

Try not to perseverate on the needles until you actually have to use one. You may find that the anticipation is much worse than the actual implementation. After that, if you still have discomfort, try to get as much experience as you can with needles and the anxiety should decrease little by little. You'll probably end up being the expert that everyone goes to for help before you're done school.

Thank you everyone for your replies, I feel 100% better about my feelings towards needles. Thinking about it, I don't think it's so much the thought of blood, and I imagine that I'd be fine giving needles into muscle, but something about a vein and tubes and metal don't sit well with me. I'm not gonna give too much thought about it, like one of you said, the anticipation may be worse than actually doing it. Thanks again everyone!

You get used to it, you will be able to do it in your sleep! I don't like needles coming at me either and I don't particularly "like" that part of nursing (especially in Peds) but it's a part of it. The first few babies I did, I cried right along with them...lol. But I got used to it very QUICK because they get so dang many immunizations. Good luck.