The first thing I want to say is I really, really want to be a nurse! I genuinely want to help people and hope to one day work L&D. I've been accepted to a school and can start in January.
The problem? Gross things. Well, things that seem gross to me. For example, when I have to pick up dog poop because of an accident on the floor I gag! This morning my little boy vomited in the convenience store and out of courtesy for the employees, I cleaned it up. I thought I was going to vomit myself! I was gagging and feeling a bit faint. Also mucus just grosses me out too. I can't even stand the word.
As experienced nurses, do you think nursing is the wrong career for me? Or, do you think I will adapt and get used to dealing with these things on a daily basis? Any advice is welcome!
I have to go study for my test but I had to answer this post first. I get grossed out by some things, example tv and movie grossies, but chances are I will avoid the ER so I don't see those kinds of things on a regular basis. Thinking bodies cut in pieces and stuff.
I don't like the sound, sight or smell of vomit but I know I have to get through that. I don't mind blood, per se, as long as its not in the above mentioned horror movie bits n pieces scene.
My first clinical was just to follow an RN for a few hours. I was in the ER. I was in a room watching an alcoholic man with liver damage with a nose bleed. This was LOTS and LOTS of blood. I made it through.
So, yes smells are the worst for me I think! But I figure I will work hard through nursing school and then hopefully be able to teach nursing (after gaining some experience!) or work in a doctors office. I am not sure the hospital is where I want to be. But then again, who knows!
If you really want to be a nurse, give it a shot. Every teacher and nurse I've talkd to says that there is always "something" that grosses you out!
Like cherokee said, everyone has something that grosses them out. In addition, I think there must be some kind of inbuild sympathetic gag factor, because most people I know have trouble with retching or the smell of vomit (kinda like how yawns are contagious!).
You will acclimatise really quickly, and the day will come when you're chatting with a group of nurses and some civilian freaks out because you're discussing how your chocolate pudding is exactly the same consistancy as Mrs Brown's morning stool!
On the germ front - although I'm by no means a clean freak, I'm very particular about my work clothes - they get washed on their own, and have their own chest of drawers. My work shoes come off as soon as I get home, and nobody wears shoes upstairs (my friends think I'm nuts!). A former colleague used to soak her work clothes in NapiSan for 48 hours before washing them, on their own, then washing them a second time so there weren't any germs in her washing machine. I think that, now she's got a couple of kids, she's eased up a bit :)
If it helps, nurses rarely get communicable diseases from patients. the best thing you can do is take care of your general health (balanced diet, enough sleep), and wash your hands thoroughly but not to excess (or you'll dry them out and the skin will crack).
cherokeesummer
739 Posts
I have to go study for my test but I had to answer this post first. I get grossed out by some things, example tv and movie grossies, but chances are I will avoid the ER so I don't see those kinds of things on a regular basis. Thinking bodies cut in pieces and stuff.
I don't like the sound, sight or smell of vomit but I know I have to get through that. I don't mind blood, per se, as long as its not in the above mentioned horror movie bits n pieces scene.
My first clinical was just to follow an RN for a few hours. I was in the ER. I was in a room watching an alcoholic man with liver damage with a nose bleed. This was LOTS and LOTS of blood. I made it through.
So, yes smells are the worst for me I think! But I figure I will work hard through nursing school and then hopefully be able to teach nursing (after gaining some experience!) or work in a doctors office. I am not sure the hospital is where I want to be. But then again, who knows!
If you really want to be a nurse, give it a shot. Every teacher and nurse I've talkd to says that there is always "something" that grosses you out!