I am going into Paediatric Nursing later this year and felt very faint the other day when watching a television programme which showed a man with a broken leg where the bone had pierced through the skin and he was in alot of pain. I am really worried that nursing isnt for me so could anyone give me some advice on if this feeling is normal and if you get used to it? I am alright with blood but the above worried me the other day.
Its very normal. It proves you are human. I work at a Medical Examiners office and believe me, the first few times of watching an autopsy and even visiting bloody crime scenes were tough. You get “used” to it, but it should never become perfectly fine to see someone in immense pain and not feel anything. The only thing you should be concerned with is reacting under pressure. With nursing, you dont always have time to think a situation out, you just have to know what to do.
My advice would be to be around more situations where blood and extensive injuries are involved. Volunteer at a hospital, or try to become involved in a shadow program that a lot of universities offer for students and nurses/doctors.