Nurses and Vasovagal Responses

[msummar_smc]

In the fall, I plan on pursuing a degree in nursing. However, I experience the strange world of vasovagal responses. I pass out on occassion when giving blood or during a painful event (a cut on finger requiring 5 stitches). However, I do not pass out each and every time, it just has to be a painful event (like when a tech/nurse is brutally cruel with an IV). Also, I have never, ever passed out watching someone else give blood or when someone is hurt severely (in person or on TV).

My question is this: Are there any other nurses that experience vasovagal responses? If so, does it only occur when someone draws your blood? If you have vasovagal responses, are you able to administer injections, IVs, and take blood without it bothering you? I would figure that if you are unable to administer injections, IVs, blood drawing...it would make it difficult to become a nurse. Should I pursue nursing or move on to something else?

Thanks so much for your help!

[Rapheal]

I used to pass out at the sight of blood. Now it's no big deal. To overcome it I would just remember to breathe and make myself calm. I still can not give blood however.

[TiffyRN, BSN, PhD]

I found out in nursing school I have trouble watching people stick me. I probably never watched anyone stick me before nursing school but then I was interested and wanted to learn. I almost passed out while having blood drawn (heard crackling sounds in my ears and turned whiter than the sheet I was sitting on). I then almost passed out while we practiced starting IV's on each other and I was watching my friend stick me (hey back in the day when you could do things like that). I wasn't queasy about sticking patients or watching others stick patients but get fainty if I see the needle go in my body. I know that about myself and it's not a problem. I went through nursing school and have worked with nurses who get faint (not pass out though) or gag if around certain smells or sights. One of the most sensitive nurses I knew (regarding blood in particular) wound up working in Cardiac Cath Lab where they see blood all the time.

[RNKPCE]

While working as an aide I passed out while assisting a nurse put in a foley. I don't know if I vagal-ed. I do know that the curtain was pulled and I was kind of nervous( I was a relatively new student nurse) and felt claustrophobic. I ended up in the ER. Never had it happen again.

[msummar_smc]

Thanks so much for the reassurance! I have never passed out while watching anything else ... whether on TV or right in front of my face. It only happens when something is being done to me. But it doesn't happen all the time, only when it is painful or is a loss of more blood than normal (like giving blood).

I feel so much better knowing that the same happens to others, but it hasn't affected their careers in nursing!

[Agnus]

He he. When I was still a student nurse. My DH came in the house with a deep nasty gash from a chain saw. I immidiatley knew he should have stiches but we live an hour from medical care and he is stoic. He insisted I just butterfly it. (an oldfashioned type of steri strip) So I did tape it and then dressed it. BUT I got very light headed nearly fainted.

He said a fine nurse I would be that I couldn't even stand the sight of blood. He did not understand it was not just any blood it was the blood of someone I love and it was a serious gash. Anyone else would have rushed to get it sutured. I do not otherwise feel this sort of reaction.