Tell me I'll get over needle fear

BigHeartRNtoBe · Dec 25, 2003

Ok I am in the same boat as you. i am 20 and will be entering nursing school in the fall and I really want someone to answer this question b.c I feel the same way.

Let me tell you my slight difference. I have always loved animals and wanted to be a vet so at 16 i started working for a kennel and after hard work and lots of poop they started to train me as a vet tech. I loved it but at first the blood got to me but I slowly was able to handle it. I passed out one time and got quesy a few other times but I could get through it. I was able to put in IV cathaders.. the hardest part for me, (surgery was a piece of cake) so now I am almost done with my pre-req for my B.S.N and have my interview for nursing school in the spring. However I want someone who is a nurse to tell me that they felt the same way and now they are nursing and it doesn't bother them at all!

As the for the vet thing, i changed majors after failing chem 1 the first time and repeating it and getting a C. I just can't imagine getting a Bio degree, then going in to Vet school. i decided to just love animals on the side. Besides sometimes working in that environment can make you lose appreciation for it! sorry so long...help me PLEASE!!

Gator,SN · Dec 25, 2003

I did have a fake arm in school to practice on, but believe me that it is not the same thing as a live person...at all!

Please believe me you will get past this fear you have, though it will take some time and work. You may never actually like starting IV's but you will be able to do it. I do not like needles myself, but I have no problems sticking someone else....the thing that I really hate is suctioning! It's the sound that turns my stomach and I never, never use to look at the secretions.

My preceptor cured me of this phobia by hooking up the wall suction and getting a very large bowl of water and making me listen to it....it worked! So I know that you can get through this too. I can honestly get a sputum specimen for a vent pt without wanting to vomit everytime~!!!

Good luck! You can and will overcome this fear!

Gator

54xstar · Dec 25, 2003

Fake arm is not the thing to get over your faintting - needles,

it rather be a thing for practice

Good luck for you to get over it~

Mimi2RN, ASN, RN · Dec 25, 2003

I always thought that I could never stick needles in people. Now it doesn't bother me, although I still don't like people sticking them in me. The fake arm may help in technique, but it doesn't feel like the real thing.

Good luck, you can do it! It's like all nursing care, you go to school to learn how to do things, and then get all the practice when you start work.

BarbPick · Dec 25, 2003

Ok, once again I will talk about Barbara, the student nightmare responsible for the Psych Instructor to fall off the wagon and the Med Surg instructor to become prematurly gray.

I was afraid of needles my whole like. There was a diptheria outbreak and I refused to have the shot, my dad took away my car and I ran with my sleeve rolled up.

Having said that , Time to give my first injection. I attempted several times, just could not do it. I almost think I saw my instructor's foot trying to push down my hand, no, no way. She pulled me by the ear into the OR. Patient out cold and I gave the normal saline injection, with the anesthesiologist guiding my hand. When I realized how easy it was, I got over my "crap".

BTW, I give all injections z track if possible.

Scififan · Dec 25, 2003

You'll certainly get over your fear, plus all the other things you will come across that really turns your stomach. Vomit was the thing that took me the longest to deal with, but eventually its so routine and part of your job it becomes nothing ..... on the other hand sputum still gets me.

I really hope you enjoy your nursing career and it will be the patients who are grateful for what you doand tell you, make handling the yuk stuff much easier.

Good Luck

luv2yoga · Dec 29, 2003

I just went back and read all of these, thanks for taking the time to respond. I do feel better. I thought I must be the only nurse-to-be with this problem (or at least, the only one this bad), now I see that's probably not true.

I checked out a phlebotomy book at the library today -- even looking at the stick pictures makes me a bit queasy. I'm going to make myself read it and look at it. Also, when I'm driving with time to kill, I try to visualize myself taking someone's arm, swabbing with alcohol and then sticking them. It's actually helping.

The other stuff doesn't bother me quite so much - I have 2 kids so I've dealt with mucho mucous, poop and vomit. The times my kids needed blood drawn, I left the room (hated doing it, but I knew I would hit the floor and be a distraction!) I realize it won't be my precious kid's vomit or poop, but I don't think I'll faint, just gag!

Again, thanks!

BarbPick · Dec 29, 2003

and gag you will so gut used to the idea of having to run out of a room, it is normal.

NurseMegA · Dec 29, 2003

I hate needles too. Now I don't mind sticking others with a needle but come near me with one and watch out. As for the vomit, that still gets to me. I doubt I will ever get over that one.

SunnyRn2B · Jan 19, 2004

I got over my fear of needles by volunteering everytime a class needed an arm to stick! :eek: It helped me. But, as for vomit! I'm a wuss. :chuckle You'll be fine.

tlyon24 · Feb 5, 2004

I was just wondering if it is a problem for anyone else when watching IV be inserted or shots being given? I have no problem doing them but when I watch them I almost black out every time. I have had bad experiences in the past with IV during surgeries that I have had over the past three years. And I didn't know if that might be the reason for my feeling sick watching them or it is just something that you get over with in time....?

:confused: