Needle Phobia

Hi i'm a 3rd year nursing student and have a fear of drawing blood and IV insertions. I can give injections all day long but the other two get me so sick that I pass out. What can I do to get over this? Everyone tells me something different. The problem is i'm the only one in my class that has this problem. I don't want this to get in the way of my career after i've worked so hard getting to this point. If anyone can help, I would so greatly appreciate it.
Have you already tried it, or are you nervous about your first stick?

Never fear....I was a fainter. I could never give blood 'cause my BP and HR would soar just doing the papaer work, lol.I took a phlebotomy course and followed it up with a clinical to boot.By the time I was done I was pretty darn good.... and less freaked out.I made sure I watched everyone else take their turn in class to desensitize myself.Try it!

I was the same way with IV's. But mostly just when I was watching others insert them and draw blood. I have found that if I am doing it that it doesn't bother me. Now, if the needles are directed at me - that's another story! I can poke people all I want, but if I am getting poked - forget it! I always have to sit in that lab chair a little longer than most, if I'm not lying down first! My family has a field-day with that. They always say "how can a nurse be afraid of needles?" Well, I'm not as long as I am the one HOLDING the needle!

Quote from zebra0611Hi i'm a 3rd year nursing student and have a fear of drawing blood and IV insertions. I can give injections all day long but the other two get me so sick that I pass out. What can I do to get over this? Everyone tells me something different. The problem is i'm the only one in my class that has this problem. I don't want this to get in the way of my career after i've worked so hard getting to this point. If anyone can help, I would so greatly appreciate it.

"They always say "how can a nurse be afraid of needles?" Well, I'm not as long as I am the one HOLDING the needle!"LOL. Great response.

I pass out with needles as well. I am not yet accepted into nursing school and I did not pass out on my last TB test so I'm hoping that this past year working in the hospital has desensitized me

I think that is my biggest fear also...I almost passed out last month when I was about to get my blood drawn...The sight of needles has me ...God forbid when I have to actually handle one...

Quote from onyx77Now, if the needles are directed at me - that's another story! I can poke people all I want, but if I am getting poked - forget it! I always have to sit in that lab chair a little longer than most, if I'm not lying down first! My family has a field-day with that. They always say "how can a nurse be afraid of needles?" Well, I'm not as long as I am the one HOLDING the needle!

Quote from crzcarr10I think it's a totally different story when you're on the receiving end of the needle. I am an animal nurse basically, I can give shots, draw blood, start IV's all day on other animals. But if I'm the one expected to get a needle in me wherever and however it's given, it's another story. Can I ask how the nurses out there that are afraid of needles going in themselves, how do you get over it? I don't think I could watch other humans being poked to desensitize myself. Has anyone out there been able to get over their fears of needles?

It's amazing what you get used to. I used to eat my Lean Cuisine Chow Mein out of an emesis basin d/t nothing else available (back when they were nuked in plastic bags).... looked like it belonged there; freaked out the docs. My big phobia was puke. I'd get lightheaded and clammy. Now, all I ask is that someone not get it on my shoes.