Is there anything that you cannot handle as a Nurse?

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Nursing, for a long time was a career that I tried to avoid because I had a very weak stomach. I feel like I made the right decision in deciding to become an RN because I am a nurturer.

There are still some things within the profession that I cannot look at though. Any procedure that I have to sit through and watch the patient wither in pain makes me slightly light headed. I am transitioning into oncology right now. I watched a bone marrow biopsy being done this week and I had to sit down half way through the procedure.

I just wanted to see what other nurses felt about this and if there was anything within the profession that they felt they could never do or watch.

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Specializes in Gyn Onc, OB, L&D, HH/Hospice/Palliative.

I Have never gotten"weak"anything, I do 'sceive'(?sp) sputum though ,truly trach sxning, or brushing someone's slimy dentures are gross to me, but puke on me,bleed out whatever doesn't bother me in the least...advanced cervical cancer rotting stench is the one smell I really dislike, it's just an 'in your face' constant reminder of the invasiveness of the disease

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Specializes in Spinal rehab, Acute Stroke, Surg, renal.

In my whole (brief) nursing career i have a weak stomach for dentures and suctioning as well,and having pt with poor peri hygiene and you have to catheterise...now that really sends me off i can handle most other things, bleeding doesnt faze me, fungating wounds are ok.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Hospice.

POOP... ugh! Especially when they have C-Diff. But, I keep telling myself I will get used to it.... Especially when I'm busy wiping and cleaning someone's bum...

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My biggest problem is getting past my own prejudice about certain conditions, particularly those exacerbated by obesity. Which is definitely a case of, "Pot? Meet Kettle."

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Specializes in ITU/Emergency.

Eyes, sputem and dentures but not necessarily in that order! Also, the unwashed masses......!!!!

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Specializes in Aged care, disability, community.

Vomit and the stench of gangrene. Anything else not a problem but those two are just urgh.

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Specializes in acute care.

not a nurse yet, but I don't like anything that has to be inserted into the the rectum, and anythng that comes OUT of the mouth. I'l get over it.

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Did a clinical makeup day at a LTC facility and had a pt who had the flu. Now usually I have an iron stomach and even help some of my classmates but today- oh no. I was gagging and choking and trying so hard to not to lose it (I lost!).

I tied to help her in the bathroom and threw up!!! I was dry heaving for like half hour and now just typing this my tummy is sumersaulting again!

I am hoping it is just because of my tonsil infection but all of a sudden I am really gaggy lately- cant even swallow a tiny pill without almost tossing my cookies. I feel pregnant- and no there is no chance of that!

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In my whole (brief) nursing career i have a weak stomach for dentures and suctioning as well,and having pt with poor peri hygiene and you have to catheterise...now that really sends me off i can handle most other things, bleeding doesnt faze me, fungating wounds are ok.

See thats the thing, I have asked quite a bit of nurses and they've said suctioning as well. I've worked in pulmonary for a couple years and have seen some nasty sputum and it doesn't bother me at all.

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The only things I can't handle as a nurse are non-supportive, anti-nurse employers and bad working environments.

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Specializes in EMS, ER, GI, PCU/Telemetry.

burns. for me, there is nothing more horrible than burns.. the smell, well i guess it doesnt really bother me, but it sticks inside your nose for weeks.. i guess its seeing a patient in such incredible pain and distress and knowing everytime you touch them you are hurting them more...

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