Hi everyone I haven't been on this form in a few years. Three years ago when I started college I was a nursing major no so sure they'll become a nurse that when I started to read about how difficult and competitive it is to become a nurse and how you need to deal with a lot of bodily fluids I just freaked out and decided to change my major to something easy. I've always wanted to do something in healthcare ever since I was a junior or senior in high school. I was so sure that I would do nursing but I have so many fears I just gave up.
This past week there was someone in my family that had an infection and they ended up getting sepsis and passed away. I couldn't believe I was so unaware and oblivious that I didn't know that there was an infection it was so bad it turn into sepsis. The doctor told me I didn't even know was sepsis what is I had to look it up on Google. I want to be able to know these things And understand the human body I've always been interested in these things but I just figured there would be no way that I could be a nurse. Because of what recently happened I thought maybe this could be the push to make me finally learn what I've been wanting to learn but I'm still afraid that I might not be able to handle the bodily fluids I've never even volunteered or shadowed anyone in the hospital because I've been so scared.
Last year is when I decided to change my major to something easy I wear could work behind a desk and I wouldn't have to deal with what nurses and other health professionals have to deal with. I need vice? Should I bother becoming a nurse? I just don't know what to do with myself and I'm scare that because of what happened to this person in my family what if this is short-lived what if I just want to do this because of what happened but then again is that so bad At the same time I did want to do nursing from before I look at a lot of other health careers because of my fears of gross things and hard-work and failure I just never bothered and chose a major that was easy for me. I just need help.
Nursing is not for you. Actually, to be honest I dont think any medical field job is for you because even if the position doesnt require much education (eg. HHA) the work is hard and you will come in contact with "gross things". Its healthcare, people can and will be gross regardless if theres a pool of blood or stool on the floor. But if you really want to be in the field, your best bet would be to do a medical and billing course where you can work in a medical office and assist with billing. Still helping people indirectly.
Well i I still want to try. People are sick and there will be stuff all around that I have to deal with but I've never actually seen face to face what nurses do. I'm just not accustom to things like vomit, stool, mucus etc. so at first I'll probably feel grossed out but like a lot of other nurses said you eventually get use to it. I actually don't mind bodily fluids at all but because I don't see these things on the daily I might feel weird about encountering it all of a sudden. I'm going to shadow someone this week or next week and volunteer so I can get use to these things, but I'm determined for the first time in my life.
I decided to switch to legal studies last year. At the time when I started college and I saw how hard nursing was into nursing school I just decided to do something easy. I've been in college for three years now and I'm not afraid of hard work anymore I grew up the past few years. Nothing is easy no major no career everything is stressful and difficult. No other profession can do what nurses do. I'm a scaredy cat I'm not going to lie but I am getting over it as I finally get into the real world.
Maybe you should look into shadowing a nurse for a day or two? Or maybe becoming a part time nursing aide. Get up in there and see how you handle everything!
School is a big commitment, and your degree plan shouldn't be taken lightly. I would not advise switching majors until you were absolutely sure.
Well i I still want to try. People are sick and there will be stuff all around that I have to deal with but I've never actually seen face to face what nurses do. I'm just not accustom to things like vomit, stool, mucus etc. so at first I'll probably feel grossed out but like a lot of other nurses said you eventually get use to it. I actually don't mind bodily fluids at all but because I don't see these things on the daily I might feel weird about encountering it all of a sudden. I'm going to shadow someone this week or next week and volunteer so I can get use to these things, but I'm determined for the first time in my life.
I'm really glad that you are determined to do it! I was fidgety and nervous when I first started. I didn't mind blood, but everything else grossed me out like no other. In my second semester, I inserted a NG tube and the guy vomited on me through the tube and his mouth. I had NEVER been covered in such mess. I thought I would freak out, but all I could do is laugh.
I hate bodily fluids and smells but if nursing is something you want to do, you'll work thru these issues. I'm in school and a CNA currently.
However, the switching to something easy part is what sticks out more than the bodily fluids fear. Nursing school for me isn't hard in the book sense, but it's hard in that it is extremely time consuming for certain parts. You have to wake up early. Sometimes clinicals are on weekends. You can't really miss them and if you do, you have to make them up. There's not a lot of room for error when working with patients so be prepared to get reprimanded or told things you need to improve. And on and on. It just requires a lot of perseverance..and that's just the school part. Being an RN is a whole different thing from being a student.
I hate bodily fluids and smells but if nursing is something you want to do, you'll work thru these issues. I'm in school and a CNA currently.
However, the switching to something easy part is what sticks out more than the bodily fluids fear. Nursing school for me isn't hard in the book sense, but it's hard in that it is extremely time consuming for certain parts. You have to wake up early. Sometimes clinicals are on weekends. You can't really miss them and if you do, you have to make them up. There's not a lot of room for error when working with patients so be prepared to get reprimanded or told things you need to improve. And on and on. It just requires a lot of perseverance..and that's just the school part. Being an RN is a whole different thing from being a student.
Let us know how your shadowing experience goes!
Thanks and and I will. Yeah I need to work on that choosing the easy way was a bad habit of mine, I plan on changing that. Also, thanks to everyone that was honest and gave good advice. I'll be reporting back in 1-2 weeks!
I think you're creating a story in your head about how terrible bodily fluids are, and it's just not based in reality. I mean have you ever had to deal with them before? A baby's diaper? An ill pet weeing, puking or pooping on the floor? Donated blood? When you have to deal with something you just get on and get it done. You don't sit there and think oooh my god it might touch me, cause so what if it does. Not going to kill you, you just wash it off. Bodily fluids are not the most pleasant things, but you're building them up in your head to be this terrible thing. Do you have a phobia? If so there's only one way to deal with and that's to face your fear and realise it was a phantom. Otherwise you're just not going to be able to cope in a healthcare career.
I think you're creating a story in your head about how terrible bodily fluids are, and it's just not based in reality. I mean have you ever had to deal with them before? A baby's diaper? An ill pet weeing, puking or pooping on the floor? Donated blood? When you have to deal with something you just get on and get it done. You don't sit there and think oooh my god it might touch me, cause so what if it does. Not going to kill you, you just wash it off. Bodily fluids are not the most pleasant things, but you're building them up in your head to be this terrible thing. Do you have a phobia? If so there's only one way to deal with and that's to face your fear and realise it was a phantom. Otherwise you're just not going to be able to cope in a healthcare career.
I think your right!! I've seen my family changed a baby diaper but I never did it myself, I only watched it smelt bad but not really it was tolerable not much of a big deal. I've had a pet throw up and had diarrhea all over the floor in my garage and I clean that up while taking care of her. I could actually deal with blood, it's mainly vomit, poop etc and the smell. But your right I just have to get over it. I don't think I have a phobia I just never dealt much with these things because I never really did anything in my life. Little by little I'm starting to get over it but I'm realizing it's not that bad.
I think your right!! I've seen my family changed a baby diaper but I never did it myself, I only watched it smelt bad but not really it was tolerable not much of a big deal. I've had a pet throw up and had diarrhea all over the floor in my garage and I clean that up while taking care of her. I could actually deal with blood, it's mainly vomit, poop etc and the smell. But your right I just have to get over it. I don't think I have a phobia I just never dealt much with these things because I never really did anything in my life. Little by little I'm starting to get over it but I'm realizing it's not that bad.
Yeah! That's the spirit. Having that sort makes it easier definitely. I was terrified about this until I got dogs and sick. Body fluids aren't bad if you get puked on every car ride by a puppy. If you get sick, poop and per aren't that bad either.
Yeah! That's the spirit. Having that sort makes it easier definitely. I was terrified about this until I got dogs and sick. Body fluids aren't bad if you get puked on every car ride by a puppy. If you get sick, poop and per aren't that bad either.
Yeah hopefully it'll be easy. I've never had pets before so they actually helped me handle that stuff lol.
Good for you for making the decision to see your fears are based in reality or not!
thanks :)
I called a few hospitals for information on shadowing nurses but they don't do that and if I want to volunteer I will only do staff support which is filing stuff and doing inventory. I want to try to observe so I can be exposed to blood, stool, vomit etc and get accustomed to these things. Does anyone have any ideas, advice or suggestions?
You can be a nurse and not ever touch bodily fluids...of course you will have to for clinical studies but once you get into the field there are so many nursing jobs that don't require the actual direct clinical care
sarahamelia
68 Posts
Well i I still want to try. People are sick and there will be stuff all around that I have to deal with but I've never actually seen face to face what nurses do. I'm just not accustom to things like vomit, stool, mucus etc. so at first I'll probably feel grossed out but like a lot of other nurses said you eventually get use to it. I actually don't mind bodily fluids at all but because I don't see these things on the daily I might feel weird about encountering it all of a sudden. I'm going to shadow someone this week or next week and volunteer so I can get use to these things, but I'm determined for the first time in my life.