Needles

'Kay, I don't understand...are YOU afraid to be stuck, or afraid to stick SOMEONE ELSE?? If it's the latter, I don't know what to tell you. However, I pass out (really...the red cross has politely asked me not to come back after catching me one to many times) when I'm stuck, but do just fine sticking other folks! LOL! You'll be fine. Just warn your instructors, and make sure you're sitting down or prone when y'all practice injections, fingerstick blood glucose testing, and IV starts on each other.

------------------

Dennis...I still remember my first injection in school...I just stood there...staring....my instructor kept saying give the injection...it was like i was watching from up above. Finally she guided my hand...thank god the man was not totally with it. The first one may be hard...but once you do it you will gain confidence. You can do it...we all were nervous the first time. But I would inform the instructor of how you feel so he or she can be prepared. Good luck and let us all know how it turned out.

------------------

I am the same way. I have passed out during sticks. I am not scared of needles, it just does something to me. I was just wondering if there were people out there that had a problem when getting suck, but could stick other people just fine. Thanks for the info everyone.

Originally posted by Dennis13:

I am a nursing student about to start clinicals in a 4 year RN program. I have a small problem with needles. Nothing else seems to bother me, except the stick of the needle. Did anyone else have this trouble before they started clinicals? I have finished two years of this 4 year program and I really love health care. I don't want to throw this all away for one small problem. If ya'll could tell me some "tricks to the trade" or some means to help fix this problem, it would be greatly appreciated.

Dennis, congratulations for making it through nursing school so far. Relax, and realize that many nursing students have similar feelings about giving injections. My best advice is to review anatomy/injection sites, think about what you need to do, then do it -- don't overthink. Remember to BREATHE and stay calm. Dispose of your needle promptly/carefully. Dennis, remember you are there for your patients, and giving injections is part of the course of treatment. Your concern is valid, but after reading your post, I'm certain that will do what it takes to be a great nurse. Hang in there. Dennis, you'll probably give the best injections on your unit! Seriously.

Dennis, I also hate the idea of getting stuck with needles,but it does not bother me in the least to stick needles into other people, infact I stick needles into babies all day long, I work pediatrics. The key is to remeber that YOU will not feel the shot. Do not anticipate the other persons pain. That hopefully will help you give the shots.

P.S. do not come at me with a needle...I HATE the damn things

Hang in there. Dennis, you'll probably give the best injections on your unit! Seriously.[/b]

Just had to say, I totally agree w/susanmary. Not to brag, but my patients say I give the best shot they've ever had, and am a whiz with starting IV's. Us "chickens" have a good sense of what WE don't like in a shot, and can fine-tune our injection skills so that we end up being the ones who give a great injection. Plus, after years of sticking other folks, I've found I'm less inclined to faint now when I'm the patient. That is, unless the needle is REALLY HUGE...

I would like to thank everyone for their comments so far. Ya'll have really put my mine at ease. (Really!!) , Thanks

I can take an injection in the arm, hip, etc. and I give great injections, (have been told by many patients, "that was the best shot I've ever had, didn't feel a thing." (Secret - inject real fast, give med slowly, and withdraw needle real fast) But I can not stick myself in the finger for a blood sugar check. Just can't do it! Thank God I am not a diabetic.

I can definately sympathize nursejanedough! While I don't like shots (Returning to good old Lamaze breathing is the only thing that gets me through), I'd take a shot or a blood draw anyday over a nasty finger stick! I dread that time of year when we have to recertify on the blood glucose machine, when I have to choose one of my trusted co workers to come at me with that lancet! I can't look that person in the eyes for days! Isn't that odd that I can dish it out, but I can't take it??

I'm known by a lot of my little patients at the office as the "Shot Lady." I hate giving needles and I hate getting them. (You should have heard me whimper when I got my flu shot.) But I got used to them, and I'm pretty good at giving them too.

Don't worry, the first few you give will be tough, and you will probably never really like giving them, but you will get used to it.

As for being on the business end of the needle... ...go ahead and whimper, you're a nurse and you're entitled.

Laura

Originally posted by kday:

Us "chickens" have a good sense of what WE don't like in a shot, and can fine-tune our injection skills so that we end up being the ones who give a great injection. Plus, after years of sticking other folks, I've found I'm less inclined to faint now when I'm the patient. That is, unless the needle is REALLY HUGE... [/b]

AMEN!!!