Published May 12, 2008
carebear1976
36 Posts
I have decided Nursing just isn't for me. So, I will not be applying for any LPN or RN programs. Long story short..I don't like poo, vomit, urine or anything of the like. I REALLY wish it didn't bother me, but it does. Not everone is cut out for Nursing, and I must accept that.
Do you think that Respiratory Therapy would be a better alternative for someone like me?
Any info appreciated.
dannibee
126 Posts
Respiratory therapy involves blood because you have to draw ABGs (arterial blood gases) and lots and lots of sputum/spit. I'm sorry that bodily fluids gross you out. It's better that you found out now that nursing isn't for you instead of waiting until you got too deep into a program. Good luck to you and I hope you find something you love to do.
Oddly enough, blood doesn't bother me. I already got into a Nursing Program when I was much younger, and unfortunatley, I quit. My grades were excellent, but in clinicals at the Nursing Home, I was grossed out and even fainted. I was thinking of getting back into it and getting my life in order, but I'm afraid i'm not cut out for Nursing--and I need to accept it. I thought Respiratory Therapy would be a good alternative for me, but i absolutley DO NOT want to start something I can't finish ever again.. I know RT deals with one area of the body obviously, and I think I could deal with that..or perhaps I'm just kidding myself...Bah, I don't know what to do!!
How about Radiology Tech?
I had thought about that, but it's not offered at my school of choice, it's only offered through hospital programs or something (and those hospitals are too far away)..it sounded difficult to get into. Thanks though!
Natingale, EdD, RN
612 Posts
I think the worse part of being an RT is the suctioning they sometimes do. Yikes nothing makes my teeth grind more than a good ol suction.
I would suggest radiology also ..dark room, you see patients for 5 minutes. Wam bam thank you ma'am.
You are absolutely right, nursing isnt for everybody. Im proud of you for coming to that decision, there are some nurses that arent right for nursing (?) They curse under their breath, talk about money ALLLLLL DAY LONGGGGGG (you can always tell whos got debt up to their eyeballs) and will literally call you from YOUR DESK TO THEIR ZONE TO GRAB THE TURNOQUETTE THATS 4 FEET FROM THEM. While they have their hands swaying.
Sorry. Where were we? Oh yeah, nursing isnt for everybody. I hope you find something thats right for you.
I however enjoy holding the hand of a 93 yr old whos crying because her skin is so raw (GI Bleeder too), but me being there calms her down.
I think the worse part of being an RT is the suctioning they sometimes do. Yikes nothing makes my teeth grind more than a good ol suction. I would suggest radiology also ..dark room, you see patients for 5 minutes. Wam bam thank you ma'am. You are absolutely right, nursing isnt for everybody. Im proud of you for coming to that decision, there are some nurses that arent right for nursing (?) They curse under their breath, talk about money ALLLLLL DAY LONGGGGGG (you can always tell whos got debt up to their eyeballs) and will literally call you from YOUR DESK TO THEIR ZONE TO GRAB THE TURNOQUETTE THATS 4 FEET FROM THEM. While they have their hands swaying. Sorry. Where were we? Oh yeah, nursing isnt for everybody. I hope you find something thats right for you. I however enjoy holding the hand of a 93 yr old whos crying because her skin is so raw (GI Bleeder too), but me being there calms her down.
Yeah, I like helping people too, who doesn't? But I remember those sights and smells from the Nursing Home, and man, it was bad. I would imagine now that I'm much older, I could handle things a little better....but I would be mortified if I ended up quitting again..I don't think me or my family could take that disappointment again. It's getting too late now in the year to apply to any programs for hopes of a Fall '08 start. I was told this week is the deadline to apply to any Health Science Programs for my school. That is why I am in a tizzy trying to figure out what to do. I almost sent out the RT application today--but held back.
Awww what made you hold back? What is it you liked about nursing. Maybe theres someone you can talk to, orrrr continue with nursing. Its sucha HUGE field. Ive even heard of pharmaceutical sales for RNs. You could do what our nurse manager does, and spend a 40 hour work week planning the next meeting when its the end of a long 12 hour night shift and he wants to have another 2 hour pep talk. lol
NWGeorgiaFutureRN
53 Posts
look into rad tech or physical therapy. Respitory is my nightmare, I can't handle sputum. spit makes me gag.
OOohh pharmaceutical SALES would be awesome...I remember a girl on American Idol this year (amanda?), she is an RN, and she sells medical eqipment, they even showed her on the job...that would be cool:nuke:...
Spit makes you gag, and you're going through with Nursing? Maybe I should too? I know I can't be the only one who got grossed out at the Nursing Home...but nobody talked to me about it, and I felt all alone. There were no websites like this at that time...
Parade
18 Posts
When I was first throwing around the idea of nursing school, I had a discussion with my mom, who has been an RN for the past 15 years. I was doubting whether or not I could handle it, and whether or not I'd make a good nurse, and what she told me really stuck: you can do anything at all for a year.
So you may not be able to stomach bodily fluids very well. Pharmaceutical sales, like someone mentioned, is an option, as well as consulting. My mom's hospital even has a few RNs who hold administrative positions, without BSNs. If you can just get through nursing school itself, the possibilities are virtually endless.