What procedure/situation are you most nervous about encountering?

Nursing Students General Students

Published

Specializes in Cardiac, OB.

I start my 2 yr ADN week after next and I'm really excited, confident, and ready to go! The only topic that is looming out there for me is the Foley cath procedure. Poop, vomit, pee, blood, none of that really phases me (Im a mom of 3 young kids) but I have also had 4 catheters in my lifetime and I remember each one...VIVIDLY. Maybe that is what is scaring me a bit, the fact that I know how unpleasant they are. I'm sure it will be like so many other things that once I am trained properly and even after doing my first real one, the scariness will go away...right? :)

What procedure or situation is giving you some nerves?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I start my ADN in twelve days!!!!!!!! I am most nervous about IV starts and blood draws. I am not that scared of needles personally, but there's something about IVs and phlebotomy that makes my knees weak. I actually started feeling faint when I had my blood drawn for titers. I was completely fine, like I always am, until I had the thought that OMG, soon I will be expected to do this!:sofahider

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.
I start my ADN in twelve days!!!!!!!! I am most nervous about IV starts and blood draws. I am not that scared of needles personally, but there's something about IVs and phlebotomy that makes my knees weak. I actually started feeling faint when I had my blood drawn for titers. I was completely fine, like I always am, until I had the thought that OMG, soon I will be expected to do this!:sofahider

I routinely get faint or even pass out when I have blood drawn on myself. However, I never once have even felt queasy when starting IVs or drawing blood on someone else. :)

Also, my BSN program only included a tiny portion about drawing blood. This is because most facilities have their own training and certification that you have to do. So you might have to do them as quickly as you think.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I begin my ADN program on Friday the 19th, and I can't wait. I've done a good deal of CNA work in ER, ICU, PACU, and hospice settings, so patient care doesn't scare me, per se. I think it also helps that I want to be a critical care nurse when I graduate (preferably PICU, SICU, or burn ICU). I guess the thing I'm most afraid of is NG tubes. It may sound stupid, but I have seen a lot of new grads and nursing students in the ER and ICU really struggle with insertion of NG tubes. I'm not sure why that particular procedure scares me most, but it does. I guess I will find out just how good, or bad, I am at them soon enough. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Anything involving a sterile field!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I start my courses on the 30th! I'm very excited but terrified at the same time...I think that's normal, right?

I guess the thing that I am most concerned about are smells. I know that's something I am just going to have to get used to, but I have a really sensitive nose and smells really bother me sometimes. If anyone has any suggestions on getting over this let me know!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac, OB.
Anything involving a sterile field!

Right? :p

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CNA (Stroke, Neuro, LTC), Volunteer.

NG tube is making me the most nervous. I have heard so many horror stories that now I am just dreading it.

I'm kind of nervous about learning IVs just because I don't want to miss the vein and have to stab someone a million times. But I am definitely most nervous about learning how to put in and take out a NG tube :eek:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Geez, yes, that dang sterile field!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I guess the thing that I am most concerned about are smells. I know that's something I am just going to have to get used to, but I have a really sensitive nose and smells really bother me sometimes. If anyone has any suggestions on getting over this let me know!

Ah yes.. the smells. I have my first clinical day for my accelerated BSN program on Thursday and of course I wandered into a room and ended up helping a CNA change a patient's very smelly briefs. I have two small kids and am the designated cat/dog/human fecal and vomit clean-up person in our household, but lord almighty that was awful. I just tried not to breathe through my nose, and took solace in the fact that my clinical instructor told us she uses rose scented adhesive or the smell of mint gum when she encounters smelly situations in her critical care job. Of course I didn't have any adhesive or gum, but I survived and didn't wretch.

Aside from the smells, I'm most nervous about having to do CPR. I know the best place to have to do CPR would be a hospital, but I'm not looking forward to the first time (if it ever happens at all!) I'm worried I'll forget everything and panic and otherwise not be a helpful person.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Flight.
Anything involving a sterile field!

omg seriously!...count me out of that...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

Many schools do NOT teach IV starts or venipuncture, simply due to the fact that each facility has different policies and protocols....and they will teach you once hired. That said, I was nervous about starting urinary catheters initially....once you do a few it's no big deal. Giving IV push/drip meds in an ICU can be tricky depending on how many lines the patient has....that get my nerves going these days. Compatibility is always a concern.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment