maleRN2010

Hi Everyone. Last week I had my first needlestick form a HEP C+ patient. Needless to say I am completely freaked out. It has only been a week, but I had a sore throat and felt tired for 4 days. I am scared that my body is reacting to the virus. I was stuck in the thumb from a tuberculin syringe after giving a sq injection. What scares me most is that I saw a drop of blood on the patients arm after withdrawing. I went to engage the safety, but my thumb accidentally slid and it went into my thumb. I did try to milk it afterwards and washed, but not sure I did enough. I am terrified now. I am not sure I can wait for 3 months for my first testing. I read online that PCR testing can be done as soon as 2 weeks afterwards and that treatment can be started right away if positive. I almost wish it had been HIV, at least there is prophylaxis one could take straightaway. I just feeling like a sitting duck right now. How scary. It makes me want to leave direct nursing.

Thanks so much. Any changes in life are difficult for me, but I put myself out there for the wonderful experience of living a fuller, richer life. Your messages are incredibly kind!

Hi everyone, I am a new nurse starting my first med-surg job tomorrow at 7a. I am excited and petrified at the same time. I did an accelerated program and my clinical experiences were weak at best. I have a short preceptorship - only 5 weeks. This frightens me even more. I know that fear and anxiety do more harm than good so I am trying to keep perspective. I see a lot of posts about the necessity for prioritization and organization. My previous career was very unrelated, so my organization and management skills are very different. I had time to plan activities throughout the day and could control interruptions. How will I survive? The fact that I am older is a concern as well. Can an old dog be taught new tricks? I worry that my forgetful nature and sometimes scatter-brainess will prevent me from doing a good job. I will be swamped and drown, yet I want to get this experience under my belt and move on after a year to community/public health. Any words of wisdom? Am I just freaking out about making a success of a change of career?

Hi everyone, I am a new nurse starting my first med-surg job tomorrow at 7a. I am excited and petrified at the same time. I did an accelerated program and my clinical experiences were weak at best. I have a short preceptorship - only 5 weeks. This frightens me even more. I know that fear and anxiety do more harm than good so I am trying to keep perspective. I see a lot of posts about the necessity for prioritization and organization. My previous career was very unrelated, so my organization and management skills are very different. I had time to plan activities throughout the day and could control interruptions. How will I survive? The fact that I am older is a concern as well. Can an old dog be taught new tricks? I worry that my forgetful nature and sometimes scatter-brainess will prevent me from doing a good job. I will be swamped and drown, yet I want to get this experience under my belt and move on after a year to community/public health. Any words of wisdom? Am I just freaking out about making a success of a change of career?