Nurse’s Story - How I Overcame Needles & Passing Out

I used to be so embarrassed talking about this! But I am here to tell you that fear of needles and passing out in various healthcare settings is more common than we may think and it is something that I overcame! I hope that my story is an encouragement to you if you struggle with a similar problem.
Disclaimers
I am not a doctor. This is my story and what I have done personally to overcome syncopal episodes, but I do not make recommendations or give medical advice to anyone. If you are experiencing signs and symptoms of passing out, please be sure to have it checked by your doctor. This can be a sign of a serious medical condition.
The material and information contained on the below websites is for general information purposes only. I make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such material is therefore strictly at your own risk.
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[@alexgonzales3893]

Thank you for this!! It’s been my DREAM to be a nurse for as long as I can remember but I have always had underlying triggers/fear that held me back.. I finally decided to just believe in myself and go for it! Practice, confidence, and exposure to things that make you uncomfortable only make you better and stronger!

[@NurseMaddyW]

Yes! Go chase that dream! Good for you! It may take some time like it did for me, but persistence is key! Proud of you! ❤️

[@husky701rider9]

Starting my job in orthopedics this week. I’m terrified of passing out at the sight of injury or blood. I have had syncope episodes my entire life and I don’t know how to navigate that and working in the medical field.

[@jrbisc99]

I was on Paxil my first year. Nothing seemed to really phase me. Watched surgeries and worked in wound care and had no issues. This year I got off all meds and realized I get queazy super easy! I got nauseous my first day of clinical watching a heparin shot in a pts belly, something I wouldn't have thought twice about first year. I then found out that everything blood related seemed to get to me. I started spiraling with worry about it. I ended up having a similar experience as your pep talk. I felt guided by God to go down this path so I'm gonna stick with it no matter what. I ended up getting on a lighter SSRI (Lexapro) that allows me to face stuff. I still get nausea under extreme circumstances but I'm gonna push to get through it. I don't know if everyone would be as sympathetic with me passing out since I'm male and 6'4" lol

[@chancynya]

I am a med student and I can relate with you on every single level. I too pass out at the sight of needles being pierced through skin and I also pass out when it’s being done to me. I am always embarrassed about it. When my BP is checked afterwards it’s always very low and I naturally have a low BP. I am happy that you overcame it and thank you so much for sharing your tips. I am not a fan of coffee, but I would like to give it a try to help me through this. Awesome video❤💪🏽

[@RandomPerson-mn6rv]

I have the exact same problem, I pass out when my blood gets drawn and when i have to watch other people getting pierced by needles. Also generally have low blood pressure. Have you seen any improvement yet after drinking coffee?

[@klara8963]

@@RandomPerson-mn6rvdid you see improvement? :)

[@klara8963]

Did coffee really help you?

[@RandomPerson-mn6rv]

@@klara8963 i don't drink coffee, but i make sure to always eat breakfast, stay hydrated, and most importantly make sure i don't hold my breath while I'm watching someone get injected! turns out that holding my breath was a problem too lol. I'm now one year into my education, and I found that i'm more comfortable with things when they've been explained how they work in school. It's absolutely possible :)

[@chancynya]

@@klara8963 I’m so happy to say that it absolutely did help me! It’s been a year now honestly and I’m the only female in my group who constantly volunteers to go into the operating room. That’s where I spend most of my afternoons. Surgery became my favorite thing and it’s all because of the coffee! It keeps my BP at normal levels. I add the coffee to a protein/ chocolate shake in the morning since I’m not a fan of the taste by itself.

[@usefulrandomness4446]

Wow. Thank you soooo much for sharing this . I related so much it’s crazy. I am in EMT school to become a firefighter. And at one of my clinicals I passed out at the site of a 2 year old girl getting IVd. I was very discouraged, and felt the same way you did when you were in the break room that first time. I have been trying to talk to people in the medical field about this and no one really seems to have had this issue. And just like you mentioned, I feel God wants me to be a firefighter. So I appreciate this again. It’s nice knowing I am not alone. And I know I can overcome this!

[@alexischapdelaine9476]

Thank you for making this video I think its great nurses share there fears and expriences that i agree helps a lot . I have thought someday about writing a book about being a nurses aid and the what goes on behind the scenes and tips and tricks to help others. Looking forward to the next video keep up the great content Maddy have a great week

[@Miss_Jinx]

Thank you so much for this video! I have passed out before for my own bloodwork, but never considered I might with other people. I was an assistant, and for the first few blood draws I saw I was fine, but after one particular surgery I felt faint and had to be lead to a chair. So embarrassing especially since everyone was freaking out. It happened two more times after that for blood draws but I stumbled to the bathroom and sat on the floor for a while (not so smart to do). After that I was determined not to embarrass myself again so I started to make sure I ate and drank something before I knew anything was being done. I haven’t passed out since! I’m planning on going back to school so I’m worried if it’s myself doing the draws I might start passing out again… but your video has really given me hope!! Thank you!

[@emilyherriott3003]

This video has been so helpful, I am going to start studying midwifery in September 2024 and I am quite nervous about my phobia of blood affecting that but your positivity is so inspiring. Thank you! Xxx

[@user-tt5sf6mt2r]

This was so helpful! This fear has actually held me back from trying to become a nurse, but I think I might go back to school because I also feel a tug towards that vocation. (I am not afraid of vaccines, but IVs and dye insertion for MRIs have made me woozy and light headed). Thank you for sharing your journey, Maddy! It has inspired me to push through this fear.

[@JAMESGREGORYKULP1985]

I am 37 years old. And I am on the Autism spectrum. And I pass out at the sight of a needle. I have a meltdown because I get upset and it causes me to have a meltdown. Which leads me to passing out.

[@kshitijsolanke6010]

i am not alone having this symptom thanks

[@anushkagupta6776]

Thank you so much!!! Honestly I had that experience today because of the smell and all that screaming... I went to the small clinic near my house to remove my cousin sister foot corn if you ask me when I started feeling nausea after the doctor was giving her anesthetic and it was my first time seeing this on person and then it got worsen by the smell of burning flesh I couldn't bare it anymore I left the clinic after 3 to 4 step I couldn't feel my leg it was embarrassing I slide down on my knees and some people had to take me home it was super embarrassing and I almost complete my first year in MLT course your video seriously help me!!

[@whedkasiemmanuel2175]

Thank you so much 🥺🥺 am a nursing student in my final year and am so scared of needles my hands literally shakes when am told to administer an IV,medication I feel so embarrassed but thanks alot cause I know that am not alone and it can be overcomed❤

[@emmagrace0413]

thank you so so much for posting this!! im in nursing school in my 4th semester out of 8 and i have syncopal episodes when i see certain stressors like blood and other bodily things, but i’ve worked on it a lot and i’m no longer deathly afraid of needles and blood draws! i definitely need exposure to more but this semester is when we start the hospital clinicals so i’ll definitely get that exposure :)

[@klara8963]

What helps you to avoid getting syncope?

[@emmagrace0413]

@@klara8963 Hi! so I just finished my hospital rotation as a nursing student and i’ve definitely learned a lot from that.. first off, exposure to medical things at the hospital essentially desensitized me to so much. i didn’t think it would happen since my syncopal episodes were so severe when it came to anything medical. there was a moment a few weeks ago when I saw a chest tube and started to feel my symptoms kick in. first and foremost, I left the room. I knew a chest tube would likely trigger an episode so I stayed close to the door and behind everyone else. I walked into the hallway, found a quiet place and sat down with my legs elevated and against the wall (I didn’t want to lay down on the hospital floor haha) and I asked someone in my group to grab me some water. Once I had sat down and drank my water I felt a lot better and i just tried to control my breathing and get my heart rate down! it is all about preventing an episode from occurring! I hope this helps :)

[@whedkasiemmanuel2175]

Thank you so much 🥺🥺 am a nursing student in my final year and am so scared of needles my hands literally shakes when am told to administer an IV I feel so embarrassed but thanks alot cause I know that am not alone and it can be overcomed❤

[@ivormiler8163]

I am absolutely terrified of blood tests been like this all my life

[@gt-bm8nz]

Thank you! ive passed out multiple times in pre-opp and post opp (IV's). Its aweful and I get so embarassed.

[@jrbisc99]

SSRIs work really well to prevent it. They do have other side effects that are annoying but if you just wanted help to face that fear they might be beneficial.

[@Angelchickie101]

Thanks for sharing this

[@baileywhite5550]

This video is exactly what I needed today. I passed out watching my blood drawn last summer and then again yesterday watching a blood draw on someone else. I was out cold both times. I just got accepted into PA school and am feeling a little discouraged. I have never had an issue with blood/ needles before these two incidences. I will definitely make sure to eat/hydrate before seeing or doing bloodwork. I heard that sniffing an alcohol pad or vicks vapor rub on the nose can help. Do you have any other suggestions since you made this video?

[@NurseMaddyW]

Definitely always get checked out by a doctor to make sure there isn’t an underlying condition. And this is not medical advice. But I personally have heard that the alcohol trick works (I use it for nauseous patients) and definitely keep moving around if you’re watching or sit if you’re the one performing a stick.

[@carlyfarquhar7547]

Loving all of your videos. I'm starting the process of getting accepted into a nursing school and I'm wondering if you could ever do a video about whether or not hospitals mandate all nurses to have every vaccine or how that works. Thanks so much!

[@reaganh1213]

thank u so much for talking about this!! is there any social media i could reach out to you on?

[@NurseMaddyW]

Feel free to DM me on my Instagram handle in my bio! :D

[@craftyallison555]

I was never squeamish before but I became a phlebotomist a few years ago. I am SO good at drawing blood but a few months into working as one I got super dizzy while I was drawing someone's blood. I don't know what happened or what caused it but it's caused me to find a different job. I want to go back to school starting out as an LPN and eventually want to work in psych so I'm hoping I can just get through school without this dizziness I have! Ahh! Glad to know I'm not alone.

[@mariastenstrom23]

Thanks for sharing.

[@satorsxxx310]

Today was the first day of my hospital we were on observation visit while observing i saw blood transfusion happening then i actually got dizzy, My ears were ringing, My vision got blurry then i had to leave out of there i am so stressed now about choosing nursing but not even able to look at blood

[@lisacrook9837]

I have a massive fear of cannulas In hands it's ruining my life , any tips please x

[@sandracastellanos921]

I’m trying to get phlebotomy certification and I pass out with blood

[@PRIYANKABATTISE]

Your video is so helpful but my concern is about if a eat and having food in my stomach.. And watching👀 all those iv and needles and blood🩸💉.... I just fainted within 4-5 min and also the hardest things is like ... Body starts vomiting if I'd eated something😢😢... And even if I've not eat anything , empty stomach.....it still feels like I'll def. gonna vomit anytime 😫😖so what should I do

[@franny9897]

I’m doing phlebotomy in class and I can’t. Whenever I have to drawn blood I start shaking and scared of putting the needles in the students. I’m failing just because of that

[@klara8963]

youre not alone!! im about to do that soon and im scared asf.. im considering taking betablockers.. do you take any medication?

[@ashleyg8098]

i am so scared to start practicing on others and also having them practice on me because of my anxiety

[@sammclean8925]

There are a lot of videos of needles in this - and the thumbnail too

[@Rainbow_1312]

6:10 is it Orthostatic Hypotension?

[@claire4974]

How did you do with sticking an IV or straight stick blood draw? How can I learn to not hesitate and properly stick? I just started as a ER Tech … I fainted during a trauma 😅. So embarrassing… first day

[@NurseMaddyW]

A trauma is definitely a lot more to handle than just an IV stick 😅 it happens! I hope we can start to dissolve the embarrassment for people over time since it’s so common but not talked about! Again, always get checked out and talk to a Dr. But you could try working with a manikin arm in a simulation lab (most hospitals have them). When you get comfortable with that, practice on patients while sitting down (so you don’t lock your knees). And then over time you may get used to it like I did! Hope those tips help!

[@Ana_the_therian_Shorts]

My mom did ty for the vid

[@matthewgeraldperillo4507]

Were you diagnosed with Vasovagal Syncope triggered by exposure to blood/needles? By the way thank you for making this video!

[@NurseMaddyW]

I’ve never been diagnosed, but after researching it and having multiple people ask if that’s what I was suffering from, I figured since it happened so frequently that is what I was experiencing.

[@BeatlesTribute]

VVS is actually very interesting. I am one of the 1% of men the suffer through this embarrassing condition. But I read in a medical journal that it's actually hard wired in our DNA. It goes back to times where people fought with sharp weapons, and fainting (a sudden loss in blood pressure) was the body's way of removing itself from the situation. Not good, because now you're totally defenceless.

[@gt-bm8nz]

@@BeatlesTribute I'm with you boss! we got this!!

[@joeny1980]

My wife is getting a C section, I'll be in the room, I know that I won't be seeing anything too gory but. I'm nervous about it because the last time I had my blood drawn I passed out.

[@BeatlesTribute]

@@joeny1980 - This could go either way. I have some advise that might help. Ahead of her due date, find all the online C section videos you can find. Watch them. Catch yourself feeling faint. Stop the video. Clinch your arm muscles (see isometric clinch) Calm yourself (see self havening techniques). If you still feel like you're going to faint, elevate your legs. The goal is to get more blood to your head. Feel better? Okay. Start the video again. Keep going until it's nothing for you to watch a C-section (or blood being drawn) Oh! And congratulations on the baby!

[@catherineslocum5456]

I do

[@msdevon311]

This is how I feel about NG tubes and catheters! 😬

[@autumn399]

Yeah me too, i'm enrolled into a nursing degree but i'm realising that i can't really deal with bodily fluids, bed pans, perineal care (seeing private areas make me uncomfortable),catheter insertion, NG tubes, like i'm just really squeamish. So i'm cosidering switching to psychology, what's making me hesitate is that, it takes a long time to become a psychologist, while in nursing, u can go straight to work and earn a good living with just a bachelor's degree. I'm so conflicted and scared, do you have any advice for me?

[@laurahays7543]

When opening heart surgery actually 8 years old emrl hospital children ga keep stick white Tera coat cande red room yelled I would cry scream pit fit saff hold down kick 😢 talk down mind over matter physically blood disorder my name Laura hays over comes

[@whedkasiemmanuel2175]

Thank you so much 🥺🥺 am a nursing student in my final year and am so scared of needles my hands literally shakes when am told to administer an IV,medication I feel so embarrassed but thanks alot cause I know that am not alone and it can be overcomed❤

[@whedkasiemmanuel2175]

Thank you so much 🥺🥺 am a nursing student in my final year and am so scared of needles my hands literally shakes when am told to administer an IV I feel so embarrassed but thanks alot cause I know that am not alone and it can be overcomed❤

[@whedkasiemmanuel2175]

Thank you so much 🥺🥺 am a nursing student in my final year and am so scared of needles my hands literally shakes when am told to administer an IV,medication I feel so embarrassed but thanks alot cause I know that am not alone and it can be overcomed❤

[@whedkasiemmanuel2175]

Thank you so much 🥺🥺 am a nursing student in my final year and am so scared of needles my hands literally shakes when am told to administer an IV I feel so embarrassed but thanks alot cause I know that am not alone and it can be overcomed❤