My name is Shelby and I have been reading this board for quite awhile now. I am currently working on my undergrad, and have ALWAYS known that I have to have a career in the medical field. It's what I'm meant for and I won't be content if I'm not helping the lives of patients. I am planning on either being a NP or a PA. There is something, though, that is causing me a lot of stress and worry. I have always been terrified, since I was a little girl, (maybe I'm a little OCD, of somehow contracting HIV or HEP. Now that I read more into needlestick injuries for healthcare professionals, it seems to happen way more than I ever imagined, and it certainly doesn't seem like being careful and cautious is a sure fire way to prevent sticking yourself. I was donating blood the other day and asked the nurses on the bus how they felt about it, and one replied that "every day feels like a possible death sentence." Talk about encouragement. =/ I know the chances of contracting anything even if you are stuck with a needle positive for something are very low, especially with the PEP treatment (PEP? PPE? I think I read PEP..), but it is still so scary. I read an old post on here from a girl who DID contract HIV, a very young girl in her 20's. I couldn't imagine that happening to me. I want to marry and have children, not lose my life trying to do something to help others. My boyfriend is also planning on nursing school, and he just seems so cool and unworried about it. Maybe I am over thinking things, but I can just see me being the one in a million who gets THAT needle. Anyway, I know I'm just rambling now, but this concern really has me stressing out as the undergrad classes I take now depend on what I do. I am either planning on majoring in Nursing for my BSN, or in Health Science to go on to get my PA certificate. Please share any and all opinions, encouragment, validate my fears, anything!!
Thank you very, very much for taking the time to read my rambling. :)
I was way more scared of dirty needles before I became a nurse!
Living in a big city wich was undergoing a serious needle drug problem, I was a barrista at the time. Even with"secure"locked bathrooms, at the end of the night you would surely be wiping blood sprays off bathroom stall walls. We were trained how to carry trash bags so we didn't get stuck.Dirty needles littered the parks, alleys...sidewalks!! It was horrible!
As a nurse, I'm in much more control of my risk level. I cultivate good habits to keep myself safe. You never can know what will happen, but I'm pretty stoked that where I work now the used needles live in a sharps bin, not in an over filled trash bag.
Life is scary...try not to let it get the best of you!
Watch those butterflies ..... they are coiled and can 'spring back' and stab you
Take extra care when tired.
Never attempt when distracted
Never attempt on a p't who refuses to lie down on bed ... I never cannulate those wishing to stay standing /sitting
Train yourself to immediately move hands away opposite to needle if p't moves - don't try to 'save' it .... never mind the mess
Check out your sharps bins ... I refuse to use if over filled or needles stuck in tray.
During a code move the sharps bin where you can see it and away from busy spots .... I get very nervous when coworkers are behind me placing used sharps in the bin
Always have adequate assistance for dementia p'ts - have someone 'hold their hand'
Never attempt on an agitated/combative p't until properly physically or chemically restrained.
It's a significant risk but one that can be managed. I have coworkers with HCV from needlesticks ...... please take good care everyone
of somehow contracting HIV or HEP. Now that I read more into needlestick injuries for healthcare professionals, it seems to happen way more than I ever imagined, and it certainly doesn't seem like being careful and cautious is a sure fire way to prevent sticking yourself. I was donating blood the other day and asked the nurses on the bus how they felt about it, and one replied that "every day feels like a possible death sentence." Talk about encouragement. =/ I know the chances of contracting anything even if you are stuck with a needle positive for something are very low, especially with the PEP treatment (PEP? PPE? I think I read PEP..), but it is still so scary. I read an old post on here from a girl who DID contract HIV, a very young girl in her 20's. I couldn't imagine that happening to me. I want to marry and have children, not lose my life trying to do something to help others. 
My boyfriend is also planning on nursing school, and he just seems so cool and unworried about it. Maybe I am over thinking things, but I can just see me being the one in a million who gets THAT needle. Anyway, I know I'm just rambling now, but this concern really has me stressing out as the undergrad classes I take now depend on what I do. I am either planning on majoring in Nursing for my BSN, or in Health Science to go on to get my PA certificate. Please share any and all opinions, encouragment, validate my fears, anything!!
raincitynurse
68 Posts
I was way more scared of dirty needles before I became a nurse!
Living in a big city wich was undergoing a serious needle drug problem, I was a barrista at the time. Even with"secure"locked bathrooms, at the end of the night you would surely be wiping blood sprays off bathroom stall walls. We were trained how to carry trash bags so we didn't get stuck.Dirty needles littered the parks, alleys...sidewalks!! It was horrible!
As a nurse, I'm in much more control of my risk level. I cultivate good habits to keep myself safe. You never can know what will happen, but I'm pretty stoked that where I work now the used needles live in a sharps bin, not in an over filled trash bag.
Life is scary...try not to let it get the best of you!