scared of certain aspects of nursing....need advice from nurse please

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hey guys soooo my mother is a nurse and I think I have decided to follow in her footsteps and become one as well but I would like to have some questions answered before I make the commitment of going to school for it soooo here they are:

1.) I have a fear of disease, I know there are gloves and such but there's only so much you can do to protect yourself, I mean people can spit, bite, stab you with needles, throw feces, vomit, and blood at you and all sorts of crazy messed up stuff, I do have a strong stomach but I'm EXTREMELY scared of catching something even though it's very rare and unlikely, ANY advice?

2.) I have some anxiety issues, I am great under pressure but worry that it will get out of control at home thinking all the bad things I will see will happen to my loved ones or myself....can any experienced nurses help me out with this? I really want to be an E.R nurse so obviously i will see some pretty bad things and a lot of trauma. Any advice?

I would GREATLY appreciate any answers that will help me out with my decision. :):):):)

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Specializes in CNA.
Hey guys soooo my mother is a nurse and I think I have decided to follow in her footsteps and become one as well but I would like to have some questions answered before I make the commitment of going to school for it soooo here they are:

1.) I have a fear of disease, I know there are gloves and such but there's only so much you can do to protect yourself, I mean people can spit, bite, stab you with needles, throw feces, vomit, and blood at you and all sorts of crazy messed up stuff, I do have a strong stomach but I'm EXTREMELY scared of catching something even though it's very rare and unlikely, ANY advice?

2.) I have some anxiety issues, I am great under pressure but worry that it will get out of control at home thinking all the bad things I will see will happen to my loved ones or myself....can any experienced nurses help me out with this? I really want to be an E.R nurse so obviously i will see some pretty bad things and a lot of trauma. Any advice?

I would GREATLY appreciate any answers that will help me out with my decision. :):):):)

You never really know how you are going to react to these situations until you experience them. I was worried how I would handle the sadness of being around people with degenerative diseases. I found, to my surprise, that it was uplifting and extremely satisfying to assist these patients and help them live their lives.

You might have a different reaction. This is why I believe it is imperative that prospective nurses get their CNA and work in some area of direct patient care while they are preparing to become nurses.

You may find you don't like the emergent care setting and prefer another. You may find you love it. All you can do is give it a try.

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Excellent suggestion to become a CNA; I'm currently one in a hospital and helping people really does make you feel better. I will do anything I can to make a patient comfortable and you can tell they appreciate it. I don't deal with too much blood, vomit, etc but when I do I'm more concerned about the patient and cleaning them up.

Definately look into getting your CNA; it's not expensive and the training is interesting.

A side point here...I taught school for many years and dealt with vomit, poop/urine and blood quite a bit there too! The coughing, sneezing and every other bug (literal and figurative) kids carry is transferred to the classroom and I have been bit. I'm still healthy and alive:lol2: I substitute teach now and always have gloves with me. You never know when a kid is going to get sick, hurt themselves on the playground, or have an "accident"....

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Thank you so much for your answers and advice! It means the world to me! I mean the ladies at the E.R the other day taking my moms blood didn't even wear gloves so i guess its not too big of a concern or they would have. How long does it take to become a CNA and how much do you make an hour doing it? cause im kinda sorta broke lol

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Depends on where you get your CNA; some community colleges offer programs. I got mine at a small independent school; it cost $500. for the class (2 years ago) and $95.00 to take the state boards. The class was from 8-5/ 3 days a week for 5 weeks then 3 days of clinicals. I work at a hospital and was VERY lucky to get my first job there. They wanted CNA's who were pursuing their education; I'm finishing up my last prerequisite for nursing school and already have a college degree. Look on the CNA site on this board and a lot of your questions will be answered. Good luck.

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Thank you soooo much:D:D

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