So today, I almost passed out ....

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So I have been getting health care experience for about 5 months and I normally work in wound care with PT where I see some pretty gory stuff like necrotizing fasciitis and many other pretty wild things- which I love. Well today was my first day to volunteer in the Neuro ICU. The RN asked me if I wanted to come in and see a Neuro Assessment, which I definitely wanted to. This guy was bad, real bad, as she was showing me everything she noticed that white matter was coming out of his nose. It was a lot. I don't know what got to me but a couple minutes later my knee's buckled and I was really light headed. I caught myself, went out of the room, ate a breakfast bar, got some composure and went back in about ten minutes later to finish. It was just wild cause nothing has ever affected me like that. I'm not changing my mind about nursing cause it is definitely where I see myself but that was an experience I will not forget.

Specializes in Research & Critical Care.
My clinical instructor said someone goes down every semester.

You should be proud that out of all his students, that honor was given you :up:

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Specializes in Research & Critical Care.
During my first round of clinicals during nursing school I was watching a dressing change, felt funny so excused myself, started walking down the hall. I remember grabbing the rail, and the next thing I remember is one of the LTC nurses there and my clinical instructors name being called overhead.

I couldn't figure out what was wrong. I sat for awhile, they did a BS abd gave me a snack and finally my clinical instructor said... "Could you be pregnant?"

Guess what I found out that night.... and what came about 7 months later....

Lol, congrats! What a way to find out..

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Specializes in Rodeo Nursing (Neuro).

Last night I assisted with a ventriculostomy for the first time. I guess they usually get done in the OR, or on dayshift. I've come in at the end a couple of times, but this time I was the patient's nurse, and I was there for the whole shooting match. Despite having a dozen other things I needed to do, I thought it was worth getting behind to get the experience. Also my first time doing all the concious sedation paperwork.

I've been less nervous at codes (but also less involved.) I was never really close to going down, but I made the patient promise not to tell the other nurses if I fainted, and my stomach did a couple of flips during the cutting. The surgeon was replacing a drain that got pulled, so he didn't have to drill. That was a relief.

Nurses are human. They barf, they cry, they pass out. What makes them nurses is what they do afterwards.

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For me it was a very long, very gory ortho surgery. As usual the OR was ice cold, being my thyroid was a little low I just went really wobbly but I didn't go down. Only time it every happened and believe me I have seen some bad stuff.

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Specializes in LTC, MDS Cordnator, Mental Health.

GI Bleed. I think it was more the smell that the pureed beets looking BM... LOL

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Specializes in Labor & Delivery.

I'm a pre-nursing student and am definitely nervous about being grossed out by certain things. I've struggled with a vomit phobia most of my life, which kept me from pursuing nursing for years. Finally, I decided that I will learn to deal with it - desensitization is key in overcoming phobias.

Has anyone else dealt with fear of vomit? Any tips or ideas?

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Thanks guys, It was good to read all of these! Considering I have been to war-I figured I'd seen all I could. You know, the 28 y/o invincible male syndrome. But, at least I went back in and it wasn't as bad the second time. Desensitization is definitely key! Gotta keep that BP up.

And Max, I can watch ANY medical show you put in front of me but seeing this poor guy with no responsiveness and a puddle of brains on his face will catch you off guard. If it doesn't that's great bro! If it does, just get back in there and get used to it- I will. Good Luck and thanks guys!

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Specializes in Research & Critical Care.
And Max, I can watch ANY medical show you put in front of me but seeing this poor guy with no responsiveness and a puddle of brains on his face will catch you off guard. If it doesn't that's great bro! If it does, just get back in there and get used to it- I will. Good Luck and thanks guys!

Ha, I like to think I could handle it. I'm sure once I'm in there and it's the guy I'm staring at five feet in front of me and not through the TV it'll be different.

California, try systematic desensitization. You start by relaxing by whatever means works for you, then you order about 20 events related to the anxiety in order from least anxiety-provoking to most. You relax and slowly begin imagining the events starting with the weakest item in the hierarchy; when you get too anxious, you relax and start again. :)

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So I got to see an EVD today! It was awesome and I feel somewhat redeemed, haha

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