maybe i'm not cut out for nursing :(

Katie71275 · Jun 12, 2012

I don't see how that would hold you back in nursing...it's not super common, so unless you are working in OB, nursery, Nicu, PICU, it's highly unlikely that you would see it...and even working in those areas, still not likely.

ETA-We all have things we don't want to see and that gross us out....that's completely normal!

PinkCupcake · Jun 12, 2012

There are many many many areas of nursing that you could go into where you wouldn't have to come into contact with a situation like that. I have a pretty strong stomach but sometimes I see something that makes me uneasy, it's normal. I wouldn't throw in the towel over one picture.

ArrowRN, BSN, RN · Jun 12, 2012

As a former EMT I've see many real life things that would gross out anyone. I came from a totally non-medical background. While it is normal to be that way,and there will always be something new or different that will make ones stomach turn, or make one scared, the thing that helped me most is having a great team to work with , talking about it with peers etc. Putting one self in the patient shoes is also important, e.g suppose that was your baby, would you be sacred, of course, would u be grossed out, probably not, esp if u see how it hurts your patient. Will there be times you cry? of course, I did when my partner and I had to resuscitate a 6 month old, being like 20miles from the closest hospital and made it there in like 10 mins, dont ask how. But we did everything right and the baby still did not make it.

But there will also be times you smile, times when a total stranger, who was a patient from yrs back, would walk up to you and say you saved my life and times when you experience overwhelming joy in the miracle of life itself.

Anyways, don't let stuff like that stop you from your dream, you are only human. I be more worried if you don't feel anything after seeing that cause what you feel is totally normal and it definitely will not make you less of a nurse.

peppapig123 · Jun 12, 2012

Thanks everyone, these comments really made me feel better. I still want to be a nurse and I'm not going to let anything hold me back.

johnmlorenzo · Jun 12, 2012

That's very natural for people when i started out my nursing school the first sight of blood kinda freaked me out and i was in all those Major and Minor surgeries i even did some by myself, its all going to sink in soon just have faith, and after you pass your nursing studies and become a nurse you'll just look back and laugh at all the stuff you did and just look forward to what you will be doing, I'm in that phase right now i just want to pass my NCLEX here in NY so i can move forward i know you and I will be great nurses in the future so will everybody here who helps all those in need :)

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 12, 2012

Even after 34 years in nursing there are still things that creep me out....eyes. I hate eyes. I don't like flushing them, or dealing with them when people come to the ED...trying to remove lenses...it just creeps me out. I do it but I don't like it. There will be things that you don't like but you will learn to deal with it. You'll be fine. There are gross things and there are areas that you'll be more likely to see them.

When I was in school I was horrified in surgery. Cardiac Surgery became one of my specialties.:hug:

MyMystudentRN · Jun 12, 2012

I couldnt stand (actually still can not stand) sputum it just grosses me out and doing the sub-acute rotation we had ALOT of trach patients that needed to be suctioned oh...every 20 minutes or so!! I got through it because i knew i had to. You're not going to be okay with everything you come in contact with especially in nursing, we see things we thought was never possible, but its all worth it when we see that those things can be fixed and those people will be cared for and us nurses/doctors/aides etc had something to do with it.

loriangel14, RN · Jun 12, 2012

I wouldn't worry about it too much. Being a nurse doesn't mean you don't find anything repulsive. You learn to deal with it. It does it easier as you get more experience. Best of luck. You can do it.

allnurses Guide · Jun 12, 2012

Thanks everyone, these comments really made me feel better. I still want to be a nurse and I'm not going to let anything hold me back.

:up: :up: :up: There are still some things that creep me out, too. The nursing school process tends to put it all into perspective, though. Best wishes to you!

mom_coach_nurse, LPN · Jun 13, 2012

I recently felt this way and a few of my friends who are already nurses said basically what man-nurse2b said. Also that it takes some time to get used to seeing some things. At least that's what I'm hoping.

About 2 months ago, my 5 year old son fell face first off his bike and landed on his face. I FrEaKeD out. There was so much blood, apparently chins bleed a lot lol, but I was so upset and later that night kept thinking 'there's no way I can be a nurse if I react that way everytime someone bleeds.'

Then last month my husband needed stitches in his thumb. He came home from work, on his way to the hospital to show me what happened and I couldn't even look at it. My stomach dropped. Again, I thought the same thing.:uhoh21:

Then someone said I'd get used to it all. And I realized, it's probably my immediate family that I can't stand to see bleed. lol Anyway, good luck, I'm not letting anything hold me back, and I'm glad you aren't either :)

rubato, ASN, RN · Jun 13, 2012

About 2 months ago, my 5 year old son fell face first off his bike and landed on his face. I FrEaKeD out. There was so much blood, apparently chins bleed a lot lol, but I was so upset and later that night kept thinking 'there's no way I can be a nurse if I react that way everytime someone bleeds.'
Then last month my husband needed stitches in his thumb. He came home from work, on his way to the hospital to show me what happened and I couldn't even look at it. My stomach dropped. Again, I thought the same thing.:uhoh21:
Then someone said I'd get used to it all. And I realized, it's probably my immediate family that I can't stand to see bleed. lol Anyway, good luck, I'm not letting anything hold me back, and I'm glad you aren't either :)

It really is so much worse when it's someone you love. Really.

I can actually handle all my son's injuries, and he's had a ton. But, when my hubby had surgery on his foot and it had packing in it, he asked me to pull it out for him. It was about 4 feet long and it hurt him so bad that I couldn't handle it. I'm hoping I get better at this stuff once I start nursing school.