vasovagal - syncope

Annor · Oct 28, 2005

i am a student nurse and am thinking of going into ER but am scared because I don't know if I can emotionally and psychologically as well as physiologically handle it. Has anyone ever passed out from seeing blood and gore? Can you overcome it???

I have no problem with seeing what you speak of ....

Maybe go into something else????

ERNurse752, RN · Oct 28, 2005

I've never passed out or gotten sick or anything. The one thing that has ever bothered me to where I got lightheaded was watching a lady partsl prep for a surgery. Looked pretty rough! (The pt was already asleep.)

How far into being a student nurse are you? Are you in clinicals yet, or do you work in a hospital?

grentea · Oct 28, 2005

I just graduated from an accelerated degree program and about a year an a half ago I had to go to ER because fell down a flight of steps. I was fine except for a nasty gash on my head, but I had passed out right before I went tumbling and the docs wanted to run some tests to make sure my electrolytes were ok. So here's the funny part, I repeatedly told the docs why I passed out, but I guess they just wanted to be sure they knew what was going on: I had been watching TV and I saw that terrible Britney Spears video where she cuts her wrists and it got me all grossed out, and that's pretty much what made me pass out. In my defense, I hadn't had anything for breakfast yet either. So then they had to put in an IV to get blood for the tests and they wanted one in just in case something was wrong. I went vagal on the nurse putting in my IV and almost passed out...again. At the beginning of nursing school I went to counseling center at my school and they helped me a lot with getting over my issue with blood. I did cognitive behavior therapy which pretty much patterns you to think differently about situations rather than going to your automatic reactions which causes you to freak out a little more than necessary sometimes. They also taught me some really good things like remembering to breathe in those situations and tighting and unclenching abdominal and arm muscle. This keeps the blood pumping in all the right places which prevents you from passing out. I'm so proud of myself. After the help that I got, I started giving shots, and I even watched a spinal fusion surgery and I was ok. I've seen a wide variety of wounds and bloody things, and I've been fine with it all. I really feel like I can help my patients who are afraid of getting IVs and blood draws because I know where they're coming from. I haven't really seen ER situations or trauma, but I imagine I'd be alright. It seems like the adrenaline kicks in and helps you get over a lot. I think there are some things that even the most experienced people have trouble seeing, so don't beat yourself up. A lot of people say that they don't like blood and so they could never ever be a nurse and they leave it at that, but thinking like that is such a shame. With some help and willingness to work on it, it's definitely possible overcome a fear of bloody/bloody situations. Don't let it stop you if that's what you truly love and want to do, because having a passion for something and the knowledge are really the important things. Just don't be afraid to ask for help.

JMBM · Oct 30, 2005

IF you are a student, try not to worry about this now. You'll have plenty of clinical experience to find out what area of nursing is for you, and nursing school is tough enough without spending time worrying about fainting. Every nurse has run into that situation where a sight, smell or situation made them woozy or nauseous. For me, blood and bodily fluids in the ER don't bother me but back in my ICU days, a few of those full-thickness pressure ulcers ........... Anyway, just look at every clinical as a new chance to learn and you'll find an area right for you.