Nursing with fear of needles

Hello,
I am considering studying mental health nursing at university but am not great with needles and the thought of having to give injections or place cannulas etc.
Are there any nursing student on here who experienced this? Is it something I would learn to get over?
Any advice on overcoming this would be appreciated.

Reply 1

Tracey_W

Original post by lp948

Hi

There's nothing to worry about taking bloods or putting in a IV cannula.......
You'll be trained on how to do it so you have nothing to fear 😨.... It takes time to get it right and even the best of nurses can't get a IV cannula in first time as it's dependent on how good a vein the person has. Finding a good vein is the thing you want as it makes it easier to get blood etc.

Patient in hospital usually has there injection through the IV cannula...

Think of the times you had any blood tests or any injections from a doctor and hopefully you will know how it goes ☺️ 😉.

I at first hated the sight of lots of blood but got used to it very quickly with the degree I did as a midwife as you see blood a lot.

Good luck with your mental health nursing course

NHS registered band 7 senior charge midwife

Reply 2

Kingston Annabel

Official Rep

Original post by lp948

Hi there,

I completely understand your concern, It’s really common for nursing students to feel apprehensive about needles and procedures like giving injections or placing cannulas, especially at the beginning. However, it’s something many students gradually get more comfortable with as they gain experience.

Personally, I can say that I didn’t feel confident with cannulas and needles until my last placement in the Emergency Department. It definitely took time for me to feel ready and competent with these skills, but the more I practiced, the more confident I became. You won’t be expected to perform these tasks immediately, and it’s totally okay to take your time and build confidence. You’ll also be supported through simulated practice sessions, which can be really helpful in preparing for real life situations.

If you find that you’re still nervous, there are ways to ease those feelings, such as practicing relaxation techniques and asking for additional support from your tutors or peers. Many people find that their confidence grows as they see the positive impact of the care they provide and get more used to the practical skills.
You might also want to talk to your university’s support services, as they can offer advice and resources for overcoming fears related to clinical skills.

Best of luck and it’s definitely something you can work through.

~Annabel (Kingston Rep)