Squeamish folks

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Are there any people on the board who started out as squeamish types? By nature I'm rather icked out by wounds, etc, and I'm certainly not one who enjoys looking at or having close contact with gore, blood and guts. I have other reasons being attracted to the nursing profession, and I'm sure I'll work through this one once I start taking courses. (I'm also planning on entering a specialty that doesn't involve as much direct contact with blood and guts). I'm just wondering if anyone else started out squeamish and how long it took them to get over it.

Specializes in Pysch Nursing, LTC, and Home Health.
The sight of blood, urine, pus, saliva, wound exudate, sweat, tears, and other body fluids doesn't bother me one bit.

However, I have never gotten accustomed to the sight or smell of feces. Malodorous poop just makes me sick. I suppose you could say I'm squeamish when in close proximity to someone else's fecal matter.

:rotfl: LOL....I can't do ADULT poop...kiddie poop isnt that bad to me. Am I a weirdo or WHAT?!

Sinn;)

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
:rotfl: LOL....I can't do ADULT poop...kiddie poop isnt that bad to me. Am I a weirdo or WHAT?!

Sinn;)

No. The pile from adults typically weighs as much as a small child's body lol.

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Interesting reading, I don't feel so bad. If the pt is gagging, I'm gagging. My big thing seems to be trauma and bodily harm. I don't work in that area, but have dealt with lacerations and so forth, minor stuff. I walked out on two surgeries in nursing school afraid I was going to pass out. Not my thing, but I think I'm a good nurse.

I am also an EMT, and am sure that first bad tangled wreck with massive body trauma will do me in. In 17 years I have missed each of these in our little town. I've not done it, but the thought of it makes me ill. Or suicide by gunshot. Body fluids themselves don't bother me, and once the gag is over I'm ok. But the fear of a mutilated body or part, I'm not sure yet.

Been a nurse for 15 years, and still worry about it.

I don't think anyone should be ashamed of what makes them squeamish, as it has no bearing on what kind of nurse they are.

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

JKDON, I'm relieved to hear that you can be a nurse for 15 years and never deal with a mangled body. I don't think that would be my thing either. (Although I'm forcing myself to read the burn threads just to steel myself for what I might face once I enter nursing school.)

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Specializes in CCU,ICU,ER retired.

I can deal with all body fluids but the one thing that makes me hurl like nobody's business is gray matter from a smashed noggin' just makes me shiver when I think aobut it

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Specializes in Corrections, Cardiac, Hospice.

I can handle anything, but seeing someone CUT into the skin of another person. Ewww, I get faint at the thought of it. One of the things that is keeping me from ever setting foot in labor and delivery. Ever see an episotomy?:chair:

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Specializes in Nursing Instructor.

OMG I thought I was alone here!! I just do not DO grown up poop.... I gag every time. A few weeks ago I had a patient with C-Diff, and I gagged and gagged and got her to the toilet, got the door shut and yakked in her trash can! I was SO embarrassed!! Thankfully the patient didn't see! Most other fluid I can handle, I LOVE wound care... phlegm has been known to make me gag, but that poop ICK.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Its okay to not handle certain things. Like the OP said, there are other areas to go into.

Personally, I love the guts and gore and that's why I love the ER. Not much makes me squeamish...I also volunteer pre-hospital on my little rural rescue squad. I don't particularly like going down the dark stairs to the basement to see the suicide victim but its gotta be done.

I do feel total sympathy and compassion though for the family members and I want to make it clear that though I'm not squeamish - I'm not mean either.

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Specializes in Onc/Hem, School/Community.

Phlegm. Yup, ironically colostomy bags and open wounds don't seem to phase me; however, ask me to get a sputum sample and I'm a goner. I've stood by broncial pts. with an emesis basin as they hocked up phlegm for a sample, and had to turn my head so the don't see me gagging big time! :uhoh21:

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Specializes in ICF/MR, ER.

When I worked in the ER, I didn't mind traumatic injuries coming in, then eating supper afterwards.

But if I have to take a shot...I crawl the walls! :chair:

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Phlegm. ... ask me to get a sputum sample and I'm a goner. I've stood by broncial pts. with an emesis basin as they hocked up phlegm for a sample, and had to turn my head so the don't see me gagging big time! :uhoh21:

:yeahthat: ...I'm just about losing it reading this...my major weakness!

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Specializes in Tele, Acute.

mouth care on a total care pt. sometimes they come to use with the nasty tongue. I know from experience that there are some people no matter how many times you do mouth care they always have something in there. But you can tell when it's neglect.

Also, I can handle cleaning a pt's poop from diaper or pad but I cannot stand to empty a bedpan with poop in it. Whats up with that!

Give me the harder job, you empty the bedpan.:uhoh3:

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