So now I faint at blood/injury...

Published

Nursing student. About to complete A&PII. I went through the animal dissections no problem. Went to the cadaver room to see some stuff, was fine for first 5 minutes then the guy started pulling out the heart and I fainted. I don't know if I can get into nursing if this is the case, what do I do?!

Really concerned here...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency, outpatient.

that might make me faint, too....:D

no, really. Do you have problems with other things like wounds or getting blood drawn or something? What about other "bodily fluids?" I remember fainting while watching a doc draw blood into a syringe once, but I could watch brain surgery with not a problem.

and if you are helping someone, your attention is usually elsewhere, like maintaining lines, meds, monitors, etc.

One fainting episode does not fail you from the healthcare system.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
that might make me faint, too....:D

no, really. Do you have problems with other things like wounds or getting blood drawn or something? What about other "bodily fluids?" I remember fainting while watching a doc draw blood into a syringe once, but I could watch brain surgery with not a problem.

and if you are helping someone, your attention is usually elsewhere, like maintaining lines, meds, monitors, etc.

One fainting episode does not fail you from the healthcare system.

Is it possible to desensitize myself to it? Like if I buy some cadaver disections or surgery videos and watch them over and over? I'm very concerned because (due to personal circumstances) the health professions is really the only option for me career wise. I HAVE to find a way to overcome this...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency, outpatient.

Got time to volunteer? I can think of several options while you are in school. Maybe you have some skills to get a job now in healthcare so you can "test the waters" so to speak.

I think that you will not need to buy a cadaver to desensitize yourself. IMHO, that is a little too weird, and illegal. And is surgery your only option? That is only one of dozens of different areas of nursing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in district nurse, ccu, geriatric.

I had a good chuckle when I read your post. When I was a student I fainted twice. Once when my husband had his wisdom teeth out and he spat blood I dropped to the floor and I could hear the nurses in the room laughing at me when my husband told them I was doing my nursing degree. Second time I nicked my thumb and collapsed in a heap on the floor, when I awoke my husband was standing over me, and was becoming very concerned about my career choice. When I graduated I was working in the emergency department, a child came in with a large laceration to the forehead, you could see the skull. When staff became concerned that I had not returned with supplies that were required they found me lying next to the mother in the waiting room. Despite all this I have been nursing for 11 years, so don't be disheartened. Do yourself a favour, eat well and stay hydrated during your shifts as this was part of the problem for me. Goodluck, and you will laugh about it in years to come.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med/surg, ER.

I completely understand! When we went to the cadaver room, I didn't faint, but I washed my hands compulsively for the next 2 weeks! A cadaver doesn't look the same as a live person, inside or out. Unless you are working on a transplant team, I seriously doubt if anyone will pull the patient's heart out! When you are the nurse working with a patient, you can focus on that patient's needs. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Do yourself a favour, eat well and stay hydrated during your shifts as this was part of the problem for me. Goodluck, and you will laugh about it in years to come.

Any time I've had dizzy spells (never actually fainted, although I have lost vision a couple times) it's been when I was dehydrated. If I keep myself hydrated, to the point of running to the restroom every 2 hours or so, I have fewer problems.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi Zionswrath,

I know how you feel. I'm a big fainter and must have fainted 3 times during the beginning of nursing school. But by doing alot of volunteer and clinical work I was able to build my confidence slowly but surely. Experience has helped me and I hope it will help you too. Good luck! :):heartbeat

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER/Trauma.

Also, understand that if you ever feel a spell coming on, it's perfectly acceptable to ask for a time out or sit down.

"Quick! Can someone hold this clamp please. I'm about to pass out" usually works.

I've never had issues with blood, gore and fainting but I know some folks who do. And guess what? They're still my co-workers and provide excellent patient care...

cheers,

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCU MICU Rapid Response.

Im good with anyones blood or lacerations except my hubby, kids or my pets... just a papercut is enough to send my stomach lurching. You wont see anyone pulling out hearts on a daily basis in the hospital. i bet it will get better with time. ~Ivanna

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment