Is Nursing for Me?

[Okapi]

Hello, this is my first post but I also had a question... so hopefully this is the correct section! I apologize in advance for a wall of text...

I am currently in the Army working in information technology for the next two years. Love the Army but I am eager to get back to civilian life. What I'm going to do when I get out has been an ongoing concern for me, and I HATE computers and such so I am seeking outside that field.

Most careers do not interest me. I do a little research and get turned off for one reason or another. But I'm quite fond of the idea of being a nurse! I am from Houston and love the atmosphere of the medical center. Nurses seem to have a rewarding job with good pay and hours. I am also a horseback rider so seek a career that can allow me a chance to have my own life!

There is one thing that bothers me though. I do not like to see severe trauma. I'm ok with drawing blood and a little bleeding, but anything even gorey (I'm talking severed limbs, traumatic fatalities, and guts) I am NOT ok with.

I hope this isn't a dumb question but... is it possible to avoid this as a nurse? Obviously ER and trauma isn't my cup of tea but I would be ok working in some areas of the hospital and regular clinics. I also fear that there will be a time in school I have to train through these types of things. Oh, maybe I just need to suck it up.

Is there any hope for me?

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

Well, I am not sure that nursing is an exact science. No one can say for certain what you will see in your career.

Can you transfer within the Army? Perhaps to some technical medical field? I was thinking a phlebotomist. Then you would work in a lab, draw blood, and the hours would probably be better. Or a physical/occupational therapy assistant. Or get an LPN and work in a doctor's office. All of these things would not necessarily have you working all hours. Nursing is a tough job, and there's not a guarentee that just because you are not in the ER, doesn't mean you won't have to deal with trauma, post op patients where you may see some "guts", and a multitude of other things. Another choice would be social work, where you could help with a discharge planning process in a hospital setting, for one, or within the VA system. Good luck in whatever you choose.

[Okapi]

Thanks for the reply jadelpn! I'll look those things up.

Unfortunately I doubt I'll be able to switch army careers at this point, however I spoke to a friend who is an army nurse. She said she's almost positive I'll get over what I'm feeling now. She was also squeamish at first.

[westieluv]

I've been an RN for 22 years and I feel the same way. I am fine with taking care of people with large post-op incisions and wounds, I can do urine and feces, and I can suction respiratory secretions. Heck, I even once spilled about a quart of slimy, green stomach contents down my pants when I was emptying a patient's N/G tube suction cannister. But...I cannot stand the thought or sight of fresh trauma, as in, people with ripped open body parts, broken bones protruding from skin, etc. and the emotion that goes with it, since in cases like those the patient and/or their family would most likely be screaming, crying, or otherwise losing it big time. The good news? I've always worked on basic Med/Surg units and I have never, in all these years, had to deal with fresh trauma. Never.

So why not go for it? Maybe see if you can job shadow a nurse on an inpatient unit that is not remotely ER, and you will probably find that the kind of guts and gore that you see on a regular inpatient unit is very manageable for you. If nothing else, try this little trick that I do if it's really gross (think bloody diarrhea): I always think of whatever it is as just so many million microscopic cells clumped together. It may sound silly, but when you think of it on the cellular level, and since even non-gross things are made of microscopic cells, it makes it tolerable, at least for me.

Good luck and thanks for your service to our country!

[Okapi]

Thanks westieluv!

The things you mention and post-op I could deal with fine. As you said, it's probably the emotion that goes with trauma that would get to me. And who knows, maybe something with click and I'll be able to tolerate ER in the future. But for now I'll stick with the plan and research nursing more. :)

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

THANK YOU for your military service! We are all indebted to you.

I agree with the PP - your whole perspective will change as a result of nursing education. Nurses don't just 'see' the superficial physical indications of illness or injury - we 'assess'. We look at the injury in terms of the underlying issues that are happening, and focus on preventing more harm, relieving pain, and promoting recovery. Example: an open fracture with hemorrhage... we'd focus on controlling blood loss, aligning the limb to prevent tissue further injury, relieving pain, re-assuring the patient, etc. So, our initial reaction may be the same as everyone else (ugh! EEEK!) but training takes over very quickly.

If you're good in a crisis, able to multi-task, intellectually capable, and have a good amount of physical stamina - then nursing would probably suit you very well. Keep in mind that there aren't any effective shortcuts and it will be a long process but the end result will be worth it.

I realize you said you 'hate computers', but they are an increasingly important part of health care. You may even want to explore the field of health care informatics - it is a rapidly expanding field and your background would be a real plus.

Best of luck - keep us posted on your progress.