Smells Like Hot Copper
When Hubby was in and out of the hospital a lot in 2002, I wanted to be a nurse.No, not to sponge bathe people, ew.
I just thought it was an amazing thankless job.
I watched them come in and out of Hub's room, checking this, adjusting that, dealing with pain management the best they could.
You could really count on them, for the most part they were compassionate.
Sure you get a random disgruntled nurse like I did when DQ was born. Man, she hated herself. She never smiled, she didn't act like she cared about any of the newborns around her, not a reassuring feeling when you've just done the most amazing thing a human can do.
I wasn't expecting applause, just a dang smile. Geesh.
Then just today, as I was chatting on Twitter, a nurse friend gave me some pointers about whether I should take K into the doctor today.
Advice that I didn't expect, but was kindly offered, and tremendously appreciated.
I think too if there was an accident somewhere, say in the middle of the movie theater, and someone yelled, "Help, we need a doctor!" I would love to run over and say, "I'm a nurse, I'm here to help you! Oh and that's just popcorn stuck in your nose miss," and walk away proud.
Proud that I helped my fellow man. Or woman. Or small child with snack food in their orafice.
But, one slight setback for me and my future imaginary nursing career...
Dealing with blood.
I'll just say it, ANY bodily fluids actually.
K needed to have blood drawn for RAST at her 3-year check up. I had to look away.
You'd have thought they took 4 vials from me from my pallor. I felt weak, faint even.
Another dream down the tubes, darn technicality.
February 4, 2009 at 3:40 AM
It's ok, we all have our kryptonite. Mine's puke.
February 4, 2009 at 4:45 AM
lol I don't like the sight of blood either. You could still be a nurse! Just um ... one with conditions lol.
February 4, 2009 at 5:03 AM
I'm the same way... Tara (11) had to have blood drawn a few months ago, and while she was oohing and aaahing as the crimson red fluid flowed into the tube, I was holding her other hand, while standing just outside the little cubicle with my head turned. I could not watch! She said my hand squeezing her's hurt more than the blood draw! "Geez Mom!" But don't try and do a strep test on her!
February 4, 2009 at 5:04 AM
Actually, I think you get used to that after a while. It just becomes part of the job. Think about all the gross stuff we have to see as moms...at least you would get paid for it!!
February 4, 2009 at 5:16 AM
I too appreciate the nursing proffession...when I hear stories from my nurse friends....I'm all like..."ew...I could NEVER do that"...and it's true.
I can handle my kids poop and vomit...but not someone elses body parts hanging out...or excruciating pain...no way.
They are a special breed of human...and I am in awe.
February 4, 2009 at 5:37 AM
You really should be the nurse, not me. I am so tired after work there are days I wanted to say, "No one get hurt because I am off work." We really aren't all that nice.
February 4, 2009 at 6:02 AM
I have to look away when my own blood is drawn. Don't think it would be too cool if I did that to a patient. I will pass on going to nursing school.
Hugs and Mocha,
Stesha
February 4, 2009 at 6:22 AM
Hubby is terrified of needles. When Bug was about 3, they had to draw blood to make sure she wasn't diabetic. Hubby had to leave the room! Bug just laid there and stared at her arm as if she was thinking, "What the heck is that thing!" A friend of mine is a nurse in the neo-natal ICU. Some of the stories she has to tell are heartbreaking. I couldn't do it.
February 4, 2009 at 6:33 AM
My husband is like that.. even talking about blood he gets woozy.. I can handle the blood but vomit.. yuck!
February 4, 2009 at 6:36 AM
I am with you on the bodily fluid issue....
ewwww...
February 4, 2009 at 6:42 AM
Mind over matter applies here. hehe.
Also reminds me of a phrase I heard early in my career. You have to learn to touch the yucky. chkl.
You could if you had to - how else could a mother change poopy diapers and clean-up vomit?
And how come some many people love those CSI tv shows? All those dead bodies. Yucky. Visual yucky. lol.
Barbara
February 4, 2009 at 7:52 AM
It's probably just as well that you didn't become a nurse. You'd run up to a kid in a movie theater with a snack in his orifice, and his mom would sue you for something.
Seriously, it just isn't fun to be a Good Samaritan anymore.
February 4, 2009 at 7:55 AM
I'm with you chica, though I handle other people's bodily fluids better than my own. If I so much as nick my finger in the kitchen and start to bleed I am like, whoa, feeling nauseous.... blah. But I love my friend who is a nurse and always has great practical advice.
February 4, 2009 at 8:09 AM
Yep! The blood factor gets me everytime too.
February 4, 2009 at 8:58 AM
I can handle blood but I can't handle throw up at all.
I don't deal well with other peoples bodily fluids either.
My friend wanted to be a nurse but everytime we would watch a surgery show on TV she would almost pass out. She could not handle blood either.
February 4, 2009 at 9:04 AM
I am all good with bodily fluids... it's the damn technicality of schooling that gets in my way- maybe they'll get rid of that little detail someday!
February 4, 2009 at 10:50 AM
I don't do well with any bodily fluid. I made it through babyhood, but now that the boys are older I find myself getting more and more grossed out. I could NEVER be a nurse.
February 4, 2009 at 11:05 AM
So we can rue out that you are a vampire. I guess I have had so many things happen either in sports of my scare with Male breast cancer that nothing gets me anymore. Mind over matter.
"If you don't mind, It don't matter." :-)
February 4, 2009 at 12:17 PM
I am with Tenakim. I can handle all bodily fluids but going back to school and accruing even more student loan debt is sort of a road block.
February 4, 2009 at 12:30 PM
I can handle my own blood or that of an adult but no my own kids or someone elses. I can't handle snot either. LOL EW!!!!!
February 4, 2009 at 2:31 PM
Like Amanda, my Kryptonite is puke as well. Blood and any other bodily fluids I could care less about, I even got to help preform an autopsy in my internship and I didn't get sick (the Medical Examiner laughed because he remembered the coroner's (the one I was working with for my internship) first autopsy and he threw up and almost passed out. He's better about it now though.
February 4, 2009 at 2:35 PM
I have the same thoughts all the time. It would be great to be a nurse. Expect for the fluids part! eww
February 4, 2009 at 3:45 PM
I am sorry about the blood thing. I am a mucous hater! Thankfully i come upon it a lot less than blood ")
God can help us overcome obstacles we could not imagine overcoming. Maybe you will be a nurse in the future after all ")
February 4, 2009 at 3:54 PM
oh my gosh, after I posted last, I remembered something so funny. When I was new to nurses training I had to empty my first bedpan. I got one nose full and threw up into the toilet along w/ the other contents. I thought my career was over before it began... then my nurse mom told me she rarely uses her nose in the hospital. Problem solved ")
February 4, 2009 at 3:57 PM
Hubby does blood - I do barf 'round here.
(forgive me for coming late to the party , but why was Hubby hospitalized so much that year and what is RAST?)
February 4, 2009 at 4:13 PM
*lol* Mine, too is puke...ewe!!!! I'm a caregiver, I'll gladly wipe a bum with a smile...just don't vomit anywhere near me....Im out the door then! ha ha!
February 4, 2009 at 5:29 PM
I used to think I'd have a problem, too. Not so much with blood, which it cool, but other bodily waste products... I now work labor and delivery and there are bodily fluids flying everywhere on a regular basis! I've only once been gaggy, but I was freshly pregnant and the urine in the foley bag was still warm... TMI?? Probably
February 4, 2009 at 5:53 PM
That's the problem for me too! The blood! That's why I am a teacher. Which makes me of NO USE in an emergency but if you need people to line up quietly and walk in line, I am totally your girl.
February 4, 2009 at 6:09 PM
I'd be a great nurse for emergencies, too, if no one would mind about the hysterical laughter. Just can't help laughing in the face of injuries...
February 4, 2009 at 6:13 PM
I have to get my blood drawn every few months. I've gotten used to it. The job of cleaning up after expelled body fluids in our family, has fallen to me. yay??
February 4, 2009 at 6:53 PM
Hot copper??? Really?
My grandmother thought I should major in Nursing in college so I could marry a doctor.
I told her I didn't think they would find me very attractive after I puked on their shoes!
End of discussion.
February 4, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Jen I'm almost thinking of coming back on Twitter cos I miss you so much!
February 4, 2009 at 10:38 PM
Are you talking about my girl Leslie? I am in awe of that chick. I asked her once if it was something she had always wanted to do, and she was all "Yeah, duh!" I guess it's just something your born with.
February 5, 2009 at 6:45 AM
I do the other thankless job, teaching. It was between that and being a doctor. Oddly enough, the thought of all the extra years of school scared me away. Of course, I went on to get other Masters and attended longer!Go figure.
February 5, 2009 at 6:46 AM
I am a closet wanna-be nurse too. Actually, a closet wana-be pediatric ICU nurse to be specific. But the fear that I have is not so much the blood, it is the fact of having the life of someone in my hands. Yeah, scary thought!
February 5, 2009 at 7:28 AM
Yes, that might be a small snafu in your plans!
February 5, 2009 at 10:36 AM
I'm no fan of blood either, yet I'm so used to it with all the tests I have to get done.
But other people's? Um, no thank you.
That - and the years of schooling and being pooped on by doctors. Lord knows the nurses do a majority of the work anyway...
February 5, 2009 at 11:47 AM
I could handle the blood...it's the 'other' bodily functions that would send me packin! I can only handle those if it's for MY baby...or maybe any baby. Hmmm...maybe I have a new career....I feel like a nurse with Cole and all his meds and therapies and extra care. Just put me in the ped ward...NO where else. ;)
February 6, 2009 at 4:08 PM
OMG.
I need to lay down after even READING this post.
I hate it so much!!
February 9, 2009 at 4:32 PM
I am a nurse and do draw blood on a routine basis I have to say it's a thing I look forward to it's like a You Rock when I see that flash of red run down the tube.
I however am a big hater of mucus, I won't lie I will puke if they start trying to hark something up.