I was at the methadone clinic today as part of my community mental health experience. One of my tasks is to obtain urine samples from clients. I've already had a run-in with one client. This afternoon another client left the clinic for a cigarette after being informed he was to provide a sample. The nurse supervisor told me to pat him down when he came back, to look for an artificial bladder or supply of someone elses urine. The client is 6 foot, 250 lbs. My immediate thought was: he's not going to like this, how dangerous is he, what kind of position am I putting myself in. I'm a male student by the way, and nowhere near this mans size. My nursing instructor could see I was well out of my comfort zone, and said "This is nursing."
Question: Am I out of line to be concerned for myself in these situations? Is there something wrong with wanting to be a nurse and wanting to be safe at the same time? I really need some feedback about this, because my instructors comment made me question whether I am "cut out" for nursing.