Nursing student needs advice!!! Any RN 's out there?

maya1212 · Post by **maya1212** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 7:07 am

I am in nursing school and I start clinicals in August. I started having panic attacks last year when I moved, eloped in Florida, and left my job to go back to school all in the same month. I was excited about nursing school until people kept telling me, "I don't know how you could do that. I pass out when I see blood and would throw up if I had to clean soiled sheets." Or people saying, "I passed out when I saw my first autopsy." Or "I passed out when I saw my first birth in OB class." Now I am certain that I'm going to pass out too and it's all I think about - CONSTANTLY! I keep thinking I should drop out now before I start clinicals and pass out and make a fool of myself in front of my classmates, teachers, and patients. Sometimes in class when we're practicing something we'll have to do in clinicals (like catheters) I start getting hot and dizzy just thinking about having to do that on a real person. I keep thinking, how can I help other people when all I can think about is myself? Please HELP!!

~*schnauzermom*~ · Post by **~*schnauzermom*~** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 7:22 am

Don't let all these other people get you into negative thinking. When I was in nursing school, I was scared and shaking on everything I had to do during clinicals. It's because it's something new, and then you've got to accomplish it with someone watchin, and you're getting graded. No one in my class passed out, it's just nerves. Did you get into nursing school because it was a dream, or just as a way to make money. You have to truly want this, and I think you will do great if you will quit listening to everyone else. Nursing is not for everyone, so of course some people would feel strange doing some of the things we have to do. Good luck.

BTTRFLY · Post by **BTTRFLY** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 7:25 am

it sounds to me you should stop and tell yourself it is ok to be a little nervous over somethig new and after you start your new job things will calm down you will be fine have confidense it will work its alwats worse in our minds than when it really happens

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 1:03 pm

Yes some people do pass out. Do not let that scare you!! If this is truely your lifes calling then forget the negative self-talk and have fun in clinicals. You will be amazed at the pleasure you will feel in helping another person during a difficult time. I wish you all the best. Remember relax and have fun in your journey.

Carolyn Dickman · Post by **Carolyn Dickman** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 2:12 pm

Thank you all for your advice. I'm sure I'll need your help again in the future but it's nice to hear more feedback than what my family gives me which is, "Oh, you'll be fine." Again, I really appreciate all of you responding!

Angla · Post by **Angla** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 2:25 pm

Hi Maya1212,
I have been a nursing instructor for 6 years now. Since I started I have had a few students get woozy and a couple lowered to the ground while watching surgery. I remember getting light headed after working as a nurse for several years observing an open heart. In fact, my mom had an outpatient procedure in the doctor's office a couple of years ago. I had to sit down. I have been a nurse for over 15 years. I started feeling lightheaded standing next to my mom. I kind of look at it as empathy and your body is trying to find a way to show you care. Give yourself some time, keep caring, and you will find the way.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 2:32 pm

Thank you Janey...that's a wonderful way of looking at the situation. That made me smile! I'm so glad to hear that even experienced nurses can feel that way too! I think more than anything I'm afraid of embarrassing myself in front of my teachers, friends, etc. Everybody else in my class seems like they've got it all together. Sometimes I feel like maybe if I am this scared...I shouldn't be (or am not cut out to be) a nurse. But I really do want to!

BassGirl08 · Post by **BassGirl08** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 3:11 am

I could have written this same post!!! Passing out is a huge fear of mine!! I just started me 1st quarter of nursing school and I am worried about the same exact thing! Last week was our 1st clinical and we had to use the glucometers and all go around checking each others blood sugars. I started getting really nervous and was thinking how can I handle all the other stuff??? I am so worried that I will be doing something and pass out and I really want to avoid that!!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 5:06 am

Hi maya1212 & angela52884,
I am not in nursing school. My daughter-in-law is a RN nurse.
While reading this post, it came to me, that anytime someone starts a new job, they are stress, they think, what if I can't do this, what if I make a fool out of myself. I think that kind of thinking is normal.
Maya1212, I think you hit the nail on the head, when you said, "I think more than anything I'm afraid of embarrassing myself in front of my teachers, friends, etc;"
I bet there are others in the class, that feels the same way. We can't see what others feel. If you faint, it will not be the end of the world. I wouldn't focus so much on passing out.
When my children were little, and they had to have stitches taken out, I had a doctor tell me, they rather have Mom's in the room, instead of the Dad. Cause a lot of Dad's pass out. Other doctors around agree with that.
You mention, passing out seeing your first birth in OB class. I had the pleasure to be in the room, when both my grand-daughter's were born. I wasn't sure how I was going to handle that. I must say, it was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. When you see a new baby born, all you will feel is joy.
The only thing I remember that got to my daughter-in-law during her clinical's, was going into the nursing home. She had to give baths to the people there, she was upset, cause the people, had dead skin come off them, if came off during washing. The reason for that was cause the nursing staff, didn't take good care of the elders. My daughter-in-law, was upset, casue the elder wasn't taking care of.
I think you will be a great nurse. To me, if sounds like you have a
lot of compassion. I wish you the best in your clinical's.
Sunshine 1960

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 9:15 am

Angela52884, it sounds like we need to stay in touch...we have a lot in common! Just talking about it with other people that feel the same way is a HUGE help to me. On Tuesday I had to demonstrate a dressing change on a mannequin at school for my professor and my hands wouldn't stop shaking. I felt so stupid for being nervous...it was a fake bandage change!!! What part of the program are you in? (I just finished #6)

Sunshine 1960, thank you so much for your reply.
Words of encouragement help me SO much. I really appreciate it. You're probably right about watching a birth...I cry just when I watch them on the Discovery Health Channel! haha