Can I Become a Registered Nurse if I Am Squeamish?

Of course, you can become a registered nurse even if you feel squeamish. While the path may come with some challenges, many nurses are able to excel despite their discomfort. In this article, we will explore the realities of the job and provide tips to overcome your squeamishness.

Understanding the Challenges

My grandmother, who was a nurse for over 41 years, shared countless stories about her experiences. She mentioned that you would need to clean up vomit and deal with stomach bugs from time to time. However, these realities should not discourage you from pursuing a career in nursing. If you have a passion for helping others, becoming a nurse is still a viable and rewarding option.

Stories from the Trenches

Have you ever heard a nurse say they want to throw up when they hear someone vomiting? Or how about the physical and mental toll of dealing with colostomy bags, wound care, and other procedures that can be hard on the senses? Despite these challenges, many nurses continue to provide care at the bedside, often with remarkable resilience.

It's not just clinical nursing either! Some nurses have found success in IT and administrative roles, using their skills in patient care settings to advance in technology and management. The possibilities are endless.

Overcoming Your Squeamishness

While it's true that many nurses have their own "thing" that grosses them out, you can still find ways to cope and excel in the field. Here are some strategies that might help:

Conquering Your Fears

Like many things in life, the hardest part of becoming a nurse if you're squeamish is taking that first step. Once you commit to the pursuit, you can start working on conquering your fears. You may want to consider working with a mentor or therapist who specializes in anxiety management in the healthcare setting.

Seeking Support

Working with patients who vomit can be particularly challenging. One of my friends had to dodge vomit when suctioning through a tracheostomy tube, which was often brown or green in color. Measuring and reinserting gastric residuals from a PEG tube was another task that required tolerance for slimy, disgusting materials.

Here's a tip: hand the patient the vomit bag, offer a cool rag, and run for nausea medication as quickly as possible! If you're lucky, you might be able to prevent it altogether. However, if the patient needs you, roll them away from you to minimize exposure. To avoid the mess, remember to twist and discard the vomit bag unless there's blood involved. Thankfully, there are always others to handle the mess.

Building Your Resilience

When I started nursing school, I was also scared of blood and needles but eventually worked through it. My trick was to keep a distance from the direct source of blood. As long as the sharp objects aren't coming at me, I can manage fine.

For loud vomiting incidents, nausea medication is a lifesaver. Keep them handy and use them liberally. If you can make it through one of these experiences, you can make it through any other challenge that comes your way.

Seeking Professional Help

If the squeamishness is overwhelming, seeking professional help can be a great option. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is particularly effective for addressing anxiety in healthcare settings. Many healthcare facilities also offer training programs and support groups specifically designed for nurses dealing with squeamishness.

Conclusion

While becoming a registered nurse might seem daunting if you're squeamish, you should know that many other nurses have faced the same challenges and found ways to overcome them. If you have a passion for helping others and a willingness to learn and adapt, nursing can be a rewarding career for you. Remember, you are not alone, and you can find ways to make your nursing journey a success.

With determination, support, and the right strategies, you can become a capable and compassionate nurse, no matter how squeamish you might feel!