Emet Nursing Student

[alixmonster]

Hi everyone. I'm new here and I'm scared because although I have this
phobia, I decided and pushed myself into having the courage of becoming
a nurse. My family and friends make fun of me. They ask "How are you
going to be a nurse if you can't even watch someone v* on TV"? Good
question.

I thought of all the other great things about the profession and I really
want to do it. My aunt is a nurse and she's not phobic like me but she of
course doesn't enjoy dealing with it and tries not to. I don't want to work
with kids but I know I'm bound to encounter it. Probably before I even
become a nurse, during school. I start going into the hospitals this fall.

But my family doesn't even know just how real and serious my emet is. I'll
leave the house but I won't live on campus, I don't drink, I've been
thought to be anorexic, I have so many of those strange activities. Just, I
need some encouragement, some positive words from people who know
what it's like.

Thank you. [img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img]

[penny77]

I think you are so very brave! It's wonderful that you aren't letting your emet
prevent you from doing what you want. My cousin is a nurse, and although
she does encounter people v*, she has never caught a sv* from work! What
nursing field are you planning on working in?

Oh, and welcome to the forum! [img]smileys/smilies_04.gif[/img]

[alixmonster]

Thanks for replying! I'm not really sure what type of nursing. Everyone wants
to do pediatrics, but not me. I've heard that you seem to find what you're
interested in when you do your clinical rounds during school. So I guess
we'll find out!

Do you have any things that you do to help your emet anxiety? It's the first
time that I'm really coming out into the open with my phobia. I've mentioned
it to my doctor but just no one seems to understand that it really is a phobia
that causes a lot of problems! Everyone just says "Well, no one likes getting
sick"! Do your friends/family know? Are they helpful?

[alwaysafraid]

I know exactly how you feel. I've been an emet for 25 years and a nurse for 12! It can be done. I'm terrified of v* but all I ever wanted to do was deliver babies and that's what I do. I don't regret it one bit. Sure it's difficult to deal with sometimes but I always manage in the end. Fortunately I do not work with many patients with contagious illnesses so I don't have to face that very often. But I do sometimes and using relaxation and deep breathing helps me to remain focused. I often find that when I'm in the heat of an emergent situation I don't even think about my fears! If you want to be a nurse you go for it! Get therapy if you need it to help you through. You'll probably find you're so busy in school that you have little time to focus on worrying! That's how it was for me anyway. I love what I do and wouldn't change it for the world!
PS. My family thought I was off my rocker when I got into nursing school because of the emet. But they couldn't be prouder of me now that I have succeeded. And I'm proud of myself too. Good luck! PM me if you need some support or advice....I'm happy to share.

[alixmonster]

Thank you! It helps a lot to know that someone like you has gone through
what I'm going through and came out on top And to know I have someone
to talk to about it. Just these couple of posts and I'm already feeling a little
better.
I agree with you that the craziness of school does keep me completely
occupied and I don't worry as much. I do see a psychiatrist for other reasons
and I have mentioned my emet to her in passing at some time but I never
explained to her the seriousness of it. I'm thinking that would probably be a
good idea. I'm seeing her Friday so I'll plan on doing so then. [img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img]

[alwaysafraid]

Good idea! Be open with your therapist....they may alter your treatment plan in response to the overwhelming fear you have.