I recently graduated in May, 2009. I am waiting on my NCLEX results as we speak. I have not started working as a nurse yet. Here is my dilemma: I am afraid I may pass out whenever I start working and have to start an IV!!
The whole time I was in nursing school I never had an opportunity to start and IV with my teacher. I almost did...and I felt fine. But every time I go to the doctor and they draw my blood I get super dizzy and almost faint.
I sorta feel stupid. Every I talked to in person asks me why did I become a Nurse if I don't think I can handle this. Truth is, I thought I could over come it. But Iv never had the chance. And now I'm afraid that when I start my first job I'm going to make an ass of my self.
ps. I'm not afraid of needles. I have gave a ton of shots. Maybe its the vein I hate so much!
aw! thanks guys! you all are extremely awesome! I am new at this site, and I have been warmly welcomed! Thanks for all of your words of encouragement! I really hope I can get threw this fear! And I hope I can find someone as nice as you guys to help me along the way! Thanks again!
Hey Congratulations on passing your NCLEX!! That's a pretty exciting feeling isn't it?!?!
Before I started clinicals I almost passed out while giving blood...not when I was stuck, but when the needle came out...LOL! I felt fine until I started I started talking to the phlebotomist about sticking people and I thought "oh my goodness, pretty soon I'll have to stick people, and I hope I can do it, and oh my head feels funny and it's sure hot in here"...and I was so embarassed! But I've stuck people LOTS of times now and I must say...It's a whole lot easier to stick someone else than it is to be stuck!!! :)
Hey Congratulations on passing your NCLEX!! That's a pretty exciting feeling isn't it?!?!
Before I started clinicals I almost passed out while giving blood...not when I was stuck, but when the needle came out...LOL! I felt fine until I started I started talking to the phlebotomist about sticking people and I thought "oh my goodness, pretty soon I'll have to stick people, and I hope I can do it, and oh my head feels funny and it's sure hot in here"...and I was so embarassed! But I've stuck people LOTS of times now and I must say...It's a whole lot easier to stick someone else than it is to be stuck!!! :)
Awesome! That is exactly how I feel!! So I really really hope that i can get pass this! I wonder what would happen If I did get dizzy after poking a patient. Gah that would be so humiliating!
I know when I'm in a stressful situation it only makes things worse if I dwell on my fears of whether or not I will be able to handle the situation. When you do have an opportunity to start a line on someone, try and relax as much as possible and do not worry about whether or not you have what it takes to do it. You DO have what it takes or you would have not made it as far as you have.
Relax, take a deep breath, and do your thing! You've got what it takes...have fun with it! It's kind of silly...but when you first begin starting IV's there isn't a better feeling in the world than seeing that flash of blood!!
Specializes in AA&I, research,peds, radiation oncology.
First of all, CONGRATS!!!:anpom:You'll do great!!! Remember, FEAR is False Evidence Appearing Real!! Relax,take a deep breath and go for it!!!You can do it!!
Seriously? You never got the opportunity to start an IV in nursing school?? This is no reflection on you, but if I were you I'd be ****** that my instructors never made sure I could competently do something as routine as starting an IV. That's really poor teaching on the part of your clinical instructor(s).
When you get hired somewhere just be honest about it and I'm sure they'll have someone work with you on IV starts during your orientation period. Don't worry about passing out. Poking someone else is different than being poked. Good luck.
Specializes in AA&I, research,peds, radiation oncology.
Seriously? You never got the opportunity to start an IV in nursing school?? This is no reflection on you, but if I were you I'd be ****** that my instructors never made sure I could competently do something as routine as starting an IV. That's really poor teaching on the part of your clinical instructor(s).
When you get hired somewhere just be honest about it and I'm sure they'll have someone work with you on IV starts during your orientation period. Don't worry about passing out. Poking someone else is different than being poked. Good luck.
I never had the opportunity to start an IV in nursing school either BUT that doesn't mean I'm incompetent now or when I graduated. And my instructors were great in instilling knowledge and confidence, and well as competency.
We practiced on dummy arms in class but I really learned how to start an IV on the job-which is just what the OP can do also. The OP will do just fine!!
OP, I agree with the you getting stuck part. I worked for a Doc who told me he felt like he was going to pass out if he had to get blood drawn. He sticks people all day, thinks nothing of it, but when it's his turn... he needs to be lying down!
Seriously? You never got the opportunity to start an IV in nursing school?? This is no reflection on you, but if I were you I'd be ****** that my instructors never made sure I could competently do something as routine as starting an IV. That's really poor teaching on the part of your clinical instructor(s).
When you get hired somewhere just be honest about it and I'm sure they'll have someone work with you on IV starts during your orientation period. Don't worry about passing out. Poking someone else is different than being poked. Good luck.
We were never taught to start IVs in school either. That was a CE course and who had time for that with nursing school all day? About a week after I started working my preceptor came up to me carrying the IV tray, handed it to me, stuck out her arm and said, "start one". And that was the beginning of my training in starting IVs.
Before stating a line on a patient I find it useful to go over all the steps in my head before I walk into the room - sort of a mental rehersal. Just get your routine down, take a deep breath, walk in with a "I can do this" attitude and you'll be fine.
Seriously? You never got the opportunity to start an IV in nursing school?? This is no reflection on you, but if I were you I'd be ****** that my instructors never made sure I could competently do something as routine as starting an IV. That's really poor teaching on the part of your clinical instructor(s).
When you get hired somewhere just be honest about it and I'm sure they'll have someone work with you on IV starts during your orientation period. Don't worry about passing out. Poking someone else is different than being poked. Good luck.
No, I am not joking. I have never had the chance. Alot of students have not done it either. It's pretty crazy actually!! I have never done a foley cath either!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We were never taught to start IVs in school either. That was a CE course and who had time for that with nursing school all day? About a week after I started working my preceptor came up to me carrying the IV tray, handed it to me, stuck out her arm and said, "start one". And that was the beginning of my training in starting IVs.
Before stating a line on a patient I find it useful to go over all the steps in my head before I walk into the room - sort of a mental rehersal. Just get your routine down, take a deep breath, walk in with a "I can do this" attitude and you'll be fine.
Ahhhh. I really hope you guys are right. I feel like I'm the only one who has ever experienced this!! I think I will just be honest with the person I do my 120 hours with and maybe they can help me out! I think my biggest fear is just passing out and looking stupid. I know I can do the IV it self...I am just scared I might get dizzy.
wrightLPN
27 Posts
aw! thanks guys! you all are extremely awesome! I am new at this site, and I have been warmly welcomed! Thanks for all of your words of encouragement! I really hope I can get threw this fear! And I hope I can find someone as nice as you guys to help me along the way! Thanks again!