Nursing school is making me paranoid...

[jakefromstatefarm]

So my kid's big toe was swollen and red. No big deal. But then it in a short time it got so swollen it was hard! I brought her to the E.R immediately. I was running through all kinds of scenarios of what is going on, and what could happen. Definitely an infection, but thinking what if its so bad it causes cellular death and necrosis takes over her toe or foot! My paranoia actually paid off, the Dr said she has cellulitis, and the infection was already causing streaking up to her ankle. Of course now I am thinking she could go into sepsis or it can travel to her heart, and all kind of things. Anyone else experiencing this after staring nursing school? This is only my first semester!! I feel like I will be diagnosing everyone now!

[FlorenceFrightengale]

You did the right thing by bringing her in to see a physician. I hope she is doing better now.

Anyway, I think a lot of us are this way due to our knowledge base. I have given myself every disease known to man by now! It can be hard to separate ourselves and our loved ones from what we are learning, or what we are seeing in our patient population. This is very common. I'd like to say it gets better...but at least it shows that you're learning!

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

You were right in taking you child to the doctor....the same thing happened to my son. I hope she is feeling better.

Unfortunately the "worst case scenario" is a side effect of the job. Just know that you aren't alone and nurses survive their hypochondria every day ((HUGS))

[Ackeem, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

You made the right move, I'm doing clinicals in a specialized unit for tuberculosis patients, and every time my family members cough I get paranoid that they might have tb.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

On the other hand, I picked up a serious illness in one of my kitties because of subtle signs. Her vet wasn't that impressed with her physical exam but stuck her for blood to humor me...and called me stat the next morning because her serum bili was sky-high.

Kids? "No major bleeding, no obvious deformity: Go to school."

[DawnJ]

After taking care of my first MRSA/C. diff/pseudomonas patient, I'm suspiciously watching all the little cuts I have on my hands. Even though I was gloved, gowned and masked. Better watchful than septic!

[bigsick_littlesick]

After taking care of my first MRSA/C. diff/pseudomonas patient, I'm suspiciously watching all the little cuts I have on my hands. Even though I was gloved, gowned and masked. Better watchful than septic!

YEP! I gave myself a papercut and had a bunch of iso rooms the other night. I always tape my little cuts up with Tegaderm :) It survives the hand washings. I get paranoid about stuff like that but I don't go to the doc unless I am on my deathbed. That goes for my fiancee too lol

[CC Wisconsin]

Hope everything worked out for your daughter! Sorry, it doesn't change too much! You will forever diagnose people and judge stranger's veins while dreaming of IV starts [insert evil laugh here]. Anyway, I'm a total hypochondriac right now thanks to nursing school, but it can always pay off like it did in your situation!