Should I be THIS freaked out over vomit????

TCRNCOB61 · Oct 11, 2007

Not laughing here. I have been a nurse forever and I still can't handle vomit. (I get nauseous just typing that word.....) I just offer to do something else for another nurse if she will help my pt. that is barfing. Everyone I work with knows I can't do vomit and we all work together. There is still some good natured laughing at me but I can take it.

Everyone has their "something I just can't stand" in nursing. You learn to work with it.

Good luck in school.

Theresa RNC

MrsCos · Oct 11, 2007

Well, consider some of the factors you've mentioned. You were in the hospital with your husband -- you were already more vulnerable emotionally because of your concern for your husband. You were "taken unawares" because you didn't plan to be there, with a vomiting person, etc.

I fully believe that in a different situation, you'll react differently. Meaning, in a situation where you:

1) expect to be caring for ill patients

2) have access to AND are required to perform personal hygiene and/or use Personal Protective Equipment

3) treat patients to whom you have no personal connection

You'll be much better off AND you'll be able to do you work at work,

you probably won't be so emotionally involved.

I had my first patient care experience a few weeks ago. The lovely 81 year-old-man repeatedly said to me: "Tell me if you're uncomfortable." or "Tell me if I embarrass you."

This patient was the perfect gentleman. He in NO WAY, or at NO TIME was inappropriate or inconsiderate. Yet, he needed help with daily cleaning, etc. Suffice to say, we got through his morning care and he ...yet again...apologized if for anything that made me uncomfortable. After thinking a bit, (I am a 41 year old student btw) I said to the patient the following:

~~ Thank you for your kindness and consideration, but please don't worry about me.

~~ My concern as a nurse, even as a student, is to assist in daily cleansing practices. When I examining his skin, or any part of his body, I focus on finding clean, healthy skin...so that the patient is healthy and happy. If I find an issue with the patient's skin, then I'll treat it, and hope to return the skin / and the patient/ back to a healthy state.

~~I also said that I'd really like to ensure that he was comfortable with me. I'm only there to make his life better and to assist with ensuring everything with or around him, increases his health.

*** you might find it interesting that 10 years ago, I'd barf everytime I changed a baby's dirty diaper - even my own baby!

What I said to the patient is very true...when looking for health and wellness (or other issues that affect a patient) my personal feelings really were left out in the parking lot.

gotta go for now!!!!

Fellow future nurse!

Ariesbsn · Oct 11, 2007

The sound of retching gets to me too. I am fine if the person vomits silently, and I don't wig out if I wear someone else's vomit. However, the loudly yakking person 7 rooms away gets to me.

scastillo1 · Oct 14, 2007

I feel the EXACT same way. I am also taking my prereqs now and am supposed to start nursing school next fall. I also worry about how I will handle vomit. It totally freaks me out and always has since I was a kid. I am just hoping that you get used to it or maybe that is doesnt happen all that often. Can someone respond as to how many times you have to deal with vomit on a daily basis?

nightmare, RN · Oct 14, 2007

We all have our weaknesses mine are sputum (((shudder))),vomit,but worst of all,for me,is purging.This is when a person,close to death,releases via PR all their bowel contents.Last time I had a resident do this I entered the room and immediately started heaving,it was so bad I had to leave the room hurriedly. It took me several minutes to control myself so that I could go back. Breathe through your mouth or use some vaseline around your nose,if someone is heaving don't look directly at them if you can.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 14, 2007

Why are some guys such drama queens and make such loud vocals when they vomit? Females don't vomit loudly. I've always wondered.

Anyway, emesis is about the one thing that does bother me. If it's straight up bile (not a good sign) I'm o.k. but if it's undigested food I have to turn my head and not watch. Usually I can control myself, but sometimes the gag relfex takes over and I have to excuse myself, catch my breath and return.

Try not to obsess.

jla623 · Oct 15, 2007

Don't feel bad, I have a poop phobia!

Curious1alwys, BSN, RN · Oct 15, 2007

Vomit is disgusting. I start hurling whenever I hear anyone else start hurling. LOOK AWAY! LOL. Gross.

ssanders80 · Oct 15, 2007

I feel your fear of vomit, I'm prenursing and that has been my main worry. But I think my dog Bruno has made me more acclamated to vomit, as much as he decides to spit stuff back up and having to clean it is not a fun task! :eek:

LVNwannaBE2007 · Oct 16, 2007

vomit doesnt bother me to bad but an experience i had during nursing school was that i had a pt. doing a barium swallow and it was the berry flavored..... needless to say she couldnt drink it and hold it down and didnt want an NG tube to help it down.....

she started vomiting and i stood there helplessly and watched... i mean what more oculd i do but make sure she didnt choke? he husband was right there helping her but for the rest of the day her room smelled like fresh mixed berries... YUCK!!!

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Oct 16, 2007

I don't do puke. My coworkers all know that because they've heard me tell some of my patients in no uncertain terms that they are NOT going to puke. "Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. You are NOT going to puke. I don't DO puke!" And most of the time they don't! :lol2: If it so happens that they don't take direction well, I disconnect the suction tubing from the tonsil suction and hold it in the corner of their mouth so the stuff doesn't escape. Works like a charm. "Just pretend you're at the dentist!"