keh115

Hello, everyone! Let me preface by saying that I am a newly accepted nursing student (starting spring 2014!) and I've been volunteering at a hospital for nearly two years. Through this internship, I have moved along 8 different floors varying from basic nursing (Med-Surge, Telemetry) to surgical floors (Labor and Delivery) and have seen different procedures and care plans. I'm glad I did this program, because I fully understand the stress level nurses undergo and the massive amounts of work you all do! But at the same time, it's making me question if I can handle the emotional toll of the job--and if I should choose a different career. I decided to become a nurse because I have great compassion and empathy. To be able to help someone in their darkest moment fulfills me. But, at the same time, I have had moments where I just break down and cry. I cry because I feel so terrible for the patient and just sometimes wish I could help them more than I actually can--if only I could take their pain away for a few minutes! A couple of things that trigger these feelings: I don't like to watch unsuccessful IV insertions and blood draws (but that's probably due to mild needle phobia anyway--I HOPE I get over that!) and if a patient feels depressed or lonely... Pretty much if the patient is in physical or emotional pain, I feel just awful. I have a huge heart, but I think it's working to my disadvantage. Nursing is my calling; but I know I need to get over these fears/emotions. That all being said, I am only 20, so maybe I just need to grow up a little bit. Any advice or tips?