RNs, Were you once squeamish?!
Question: I am very strongly considering being an RN and have chosen nursing as my major for the college I will be going to next year. I have been volunteering in the ER for a while now, and I'm a little bit concerned that I won't be able to deal with some of the stuff I might see. I'm not really afraid of seeing anything, like I really don't feel fear or disgust, but I've noticed that sometimes I feel a little faint when I see certain things. This really only happens when I see like an open wound (like a little girl getting stiches in her laceration). Have any of you nurses had this problem and gotten over it? I really want to be an RN, but I am afraid that I won't be able to get over this! Also, if this is a problem, what department would be good for me to work in? I really want something interesting with lots of variety (like the ER) but maybe something with less lacerations. Would Labor and Delivery be good for this?
Answers: I am very strongly considering being an RN and have chosen nursing as my major for the college I will be going to next year. I have been volunteering in the ER for a while now, and I'm a little bit concerned that I won't be able to deal with some of the stuff I might see. I'm not really afraid of seeing anything, like I really don't feel fear or disgust, but I've noticed that sometimes I feel a little faint when I see certain things. This really only happens when I see like an open wound (like a little girl getting stiches in her laceration). Have any of you nurses had this problem and gotten over it? I really want to be an RN, but I am afraid that I won't be able to get over this! Also, if this is a problem, what department would be good for me to work in? I really want something interesting with lots of variety (like the ER) but maybe something with less lacerations. Would Labor and Delivery be good for this?
I had a lot of problems giving shots when I first went to nursing school, now its no big deal. there are so many different fields you can work in when you're a nurse. you should go for it. the fact that you can work in the ER at all is excellent! you would get used to seeing the things. don't worry! and, if you try something and don't like it, you can do something else. I always thought I'd like to work in surgery, now I work in the PACU and love it. you may even like working on a med-surg floor is you like a variety, or ICU.
A vasovagal reaction is common.. the more you see the stuff the less sweaty and light headed you will be.
I never had this problem, but I've seen many people over come it! I'm not sure what to tell you as far as which part of the medical field you want to go into, all of them your pretty much going to see things you might not want to. But who knows you may get over it and want to go into surgery!
At first it may seem that it is overwhelming but after a while you just start doing it without even thinking about it. It may take sometime but do not give up. Being a nurse is a wonderful career. So do not give up because you are afraid. My first vaginal delivery with an episiotomy I passed out. Now it does not bother me at all. Stay strong.
The trick to getting through seeing thing that make you feel a little faint or squeamish is to compartmentalize it....focus on the technical aspects of irrigating an open wound, or assisting with suturing...all while holding your patient's hand. Kind of tricky but it can be done. BTW, most hospitals require at least a year of med-surg experience prior to going to a more specialized department. Because folks come in to the Labor and Delivery department (for example) they aren't just there to have a baby, they might have other conditions that require a nurses' knowledge. If the mom-to-be has MS or is a diabetic those conditions require treatment and care along with the primary reason that they're there. Good luck in your future career, the world needs good nurses.