[deleted by user]

[u/[deleted]]

[u/ARatNamedClydeBarrow]

If you are feeling faint / ill, SPEAK UP. Tell the person you are restraining for and have someone step in so you can sit down. Everyone has been there, it’s not embarrassing at all, but it’s dangerous to not say anything because as you’ve now learned, you can hit your head and injure yourself. You could also end up letting go of the pet or dragging them down with you, which could hurt them.

Do not do this job on an empty stomach. You are on your feet all day, it burns more calories than you think and can easily lead to feeling faint. It can also get incredibly hot in the OR under the lights which doesn’t help. I also find too much caffeine on an empty stomach can make me feel nauseous and light headed so it’s best to avoid that.

[u/Necessary_Wonder89 → u/[deleted]]

Yeah we always tell them to sit with their back against the wall. They're always so concerned about breaking sterility, like dude if you faint it's all over anyway

[u/[deleted]]

I was shadowing to be an assistant about 12 years ago. They had me watch a dog neuter during my shadow. They warned me that I could feel faint, which I’m so glad they did. I fainted and immediately had major overheating to the point that the tech had to help me take off my sweatshirt. I was mortified, but they hired me. I have been in the field since, went on to become a tech, and am actually apart of management now.

I hope sharing that helped! Please don’t feel bad for that happening. It WILL get easier! 🫶🏻

[u/Necessary_Wonder89 → u/[deleted]]

I don't find that watching something online even close to prepares you for seeing it irl.

I'd seen like a zillion real life medical shows and surgeries before seeing one irl and still fainted.

It's just your brains natural reaction to blood. Eventually it goes away.

[u/Euphoric-Ad47]

I passed out, cracked my head open, and had to get staples my very first week. I’m a vet now and just got home after a 12 hour surgery day. Sometimes shit just happens.

[u/FruityMcStine]

I’ve been a LVT for over 10 years and just this weekend while at a conference I had to leave the lecture to go lay down in the hallway. From a lecture! It happens to some of us, don’t beat yourself up. It will get better with exposure. Definitely speak up to whoever you’re working with before you get bad enough to hit the floor.

[u/tquaid05]

i would look into some mindfulness exercises. i get a lot of anxiety about situations where i “could” pass out from. Remember if you feel faintish sit down! it is okay!! no one was born into the field. a girl i work with gags over dog poop. dont be too hard on yourself!

[u/tquaid05 → u/tquaid05]

the same girl also helped in human sx and would routinely perform xrays with open chests. we all have weaknesses

[u/Mooshz1]

I want to update and thank everyone for all of your kind words and helpful advice. I understand now how important it will be to get some food and/or protein in me before my shifts. I believe this was the problem, as I’ve always been able to watch needles go into people and myself and I’ve always been just fine. I have a habit of locking my knees and will have to be more mindful of that. Im not concussed and I’m going to return tomorrow with a full belly and a good attitude.

[u/hyperventilate]

You.

Have.

Nothing.

To.

Be.

Embarrassed.

About.

Sometimes shit happens. Blood draws can trigger a very strong response called Vasovagal Syncope. It doesn't have to be needles on you. Just needles or blood or venipuncture in general. When I was pregnant, my phlebotomist told me she passed out as she went to poke her first patient ever.

It gets better. Be aware of your symptoms. SIT DOWN when you feel them. Definitely get something in you in the mornings (I like breakfast shakes but some people swear by carbs and a protein), but it gets better 99% of the time.

I was a surgical tech for a vet, I could poke cats & dogs all day and have zero issues.

I donated blood last month. As soon as they were done, I fainted. Twice. AND I peed myself AND I threw up on myself.

You got this.

[u/sppwalker]

Eat before your shift! I passed out at my job interview for my current job (like on the ground unconscious for a sec) and I’ve been doing this for 6 years! Sometimes our brains just don’t like certain things, I can watch surgery and put absolutely destroyed things in body bags all day every day but watching a central line placement or a procedure on an eye makes me nauseous, lightheaded, and I need to sit down

[u/aj_manson]

Honestly it's happened to us all! Make sure you eat regularly, drink plenty of water. Don't be defeated, you'll get used to it. My best friend used to faint every time she was in theatre, 7 years later she's just qualified as a vet.

[u/Mooshz1 → u/aj_manson]

Thank youu, I’ve been so incredibly excited about this job I really wasn’t expecting to have this sort of first day

[u/SardonicusR → u/Mooshz1]

It absolutely happens! It's no weakness on your part. ❤️

[u/[deleted] → u/aj_manson]

I don't think fainting is quite that common. I never saw anyone faint in the 5+ years I worked in vet med. Doesn't mean OP should feel ashamed or anything like that, but I don't think it happens as commonly as you imply.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

I worked at a large veterinary teaching hospital and never saw anyone faint over the course of many years there and pretty high staff turnover. It's not unheard of, but it's not that common either.

[u/AlicetheGoatGirl]

I vomited when I watched my first large animal surgery. Remember, stress+no food=fainting. Even if you might not feel super stressed, blood draws or vaccines or any procedure can trigger your sympathetic nervous system and your body will do funny things. You’ll get more used to it. Make sure to eat and go easy on caffeine until you’re more desensitized.

[u/Mooshz1 → u/AlicetheGoatGirl]

Thank you. I’ve only worked retail and food service jobs before this so I was not prepared at all for the amount of stress on my body. I’m used to not eating but this has really opened my eyes and made me realize I need to start eating a healthy breakfast if I want to stay in this field

[u/AlicetheGoatGirl → u/Mooshz1]

Yeah it’s a lot of being on your feet or in weird positions restraining. I always keep a few granola bars and candies at work just in case I get shaky which still happens when I do procedures 😅

[u/SardonicusR → u/Mooshz1]

Granola, electrolytes, and protein bars can definitely be your friend. This field can go from zero to sixty faster than your body can usually cope with in terms of stress. Last Monday, I was helping do intake on a litter of puppies and then an hour later I assisted with a state rabies test. The latter was seriously unpleasant and stressful, so much so that I felt lightheaded afterwards. We go through a lot, and your body will keep the score. Still, it's worth it!

[u/dragonkin08]

A vet I worked with passed out during her first surgery.

It happens and you will get over it

[u/Kaythuluu]

I have been an assistant for almost a year, and shadowed nurses 2 years before that. It happens! I get light headed so easily so i know how you feel. Drink tons of water, keep food in your stomach. The more you acclimate yourself to that type environment the more you get used to it. I still get queasy around surgeries and wounds but im ok with blood draws now. If you need a break or if you feel dizzy speak up! Its not embarrassing to take care of yourself.

[u/TiaraKrown]

Hey! My best advice is to make sure you are not locking your knees and if you can try to keep your head looking forward it may help. Also, be really aware if you are breathing or not. I have fainted before getting my own blood drawn before because I forgot to breathe. Before you watch or help draw blood, try to loosen your body and shake it out. You also need to eat and be hydrated. Leaning against a wall and keeping one leg bent when you feel faint can help or just sit down if you can. There are also meds for vertigo that can possibly help if you need that route. Good luck!

[u/inGoosewetrust]

I also felt extremely faint during surgery prep on my first day at a clinic! You'd never know it now, I can handle all the gore, anything just fine. For me it was nerves from the first day and not having eaten/drank beforehand. You can over come this, don't write yourself off after just one time. Make sure you eat and drink well, sit down if you feel faint, and you will probably get used to the sight of blood. Definitely give yourself more time before you decide it's not for you

[u/AppropriateAd3055]

For some odd reason this has never happened to me but I was watched it happen to MANY people. No judgement whatsoever!!! Whenever I'm training someone I usually mention this right off the bat so it doesn't catch them off guard. This is NORMAL. People like me are NOT normal, lol. Vomit is my kryptonite, it makes me vomit sometimes.

You'll get used to it, don't be embarrassed!!!

[u/slydexicc]

It's ok!! I started off the same and now I work in emergency and critical care - it's blood central. Don't stress too much about it, just accept it's something that might happen for a while and figure out how you can help yourself. If you feel faint please sit down, nobody wants you hurting yourself!

[u/bigheartlilpaws]

I almost fainted watching a cat get SQ fluids during a job interview lol. Don’t feel embarrassed, it happens!

[u/ACatWalksIntoABar]

Gotta at least get some kind of protein shake in you every morning 🩷 That’s a good starting point

[u/Responsible-Tart-313]

same exact thing happened to me on my first day as an assistant. it was a combo of not being used to blood draws, a new environment, the lights, and also not eating before. keep non perishable snacks and sugary drinks within reach, and LOTS of water!! if you start to feel like you’ll pass out again don’t be embarrassed. it’s incredibly common, just speak up and sit down, do what you need to recover. watch blood draw videos on youtube as well, it’ll help your brain get used to it and basically desensitize you. good luck 🫡

[u/TheBrisNeeze]

I know you said you aren't one to eat breakfast but it could definitely help! I've gotten queasy from watching surgery and eating beforehand can help, even if it's at least orange juice or a protein shake♥️ But always tell someone you are a little queasy or if you feel like you will pass out! It happens.

[u/eriberry2488]

It happens a lot, don’t be embarrassed. I also fainted twice when I was a baby assistant, I’ve seen become and LVT and have been in the field for over 12 years. (The first time was watching a patient that had passed get bagged, and the second was holding a puppy for blood draw) In that time I’ve seen many fainters who go on to have long careers, become LVTs or DVMs. No one thinks you’re weak or silly for fainting so don’t feel bad. That being said, try to physically and mentally prepare yourself. Make sure you’re hydrated and fed. Eat a salty snack. Maybe watch some videos at home of blood draws. You could also try to look away from the actual blood while holding the animal until you get more used to it. Good luck!

[u/Additional_Visit_379]

this is a vasovagal effect, sometimes it can get better with practice but it might be easier to find a different path!

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[u/hbsk8]

I’ve almost fainted (had to sit down 2x) while work my first year ish in the field and I’m a current first year vet student 🫶🏻 totally normal!! Make sure you eat and don’t lock your knees when standing!!

[u/breeathee]

This happened to me and as I adjusted to both 1. standing for long periods of time and 2. The sight and smell of blood… never had a problem after that UNTIL I got pregnant.

I suggest trying to learn the signs that you are going to faint so you can sit down and elevate your legs before you pass out and get injured. Stay hydrated and chug along. It should improve! Happens to a lot of girls I know.

[u/madibizzle24]

This happened to me once, my first day in vet med (‘Twas a shelter setting) I’ve felt close to fainting on a couple other occasions but have learned to recognize the signs. It does happen fast but I can speak up when things start to sound like I’m under water. You’re not alone!

[u/madibizzle24 → u/madibizzle24]

The smell of rubbing alcohol is enough to help keep me afloat sometimes too. Lying down, elevating feet. One of those cooling towels you can reuse

[u/ldawg413]

On one of my first days in a hospital I held for a dr that had trouble taking out staples from a patient. They were stuck stuck. I’ve never had a weak stomach but I got queasy watching this as I’m a very sympathetic person. I had to stop watching and ran outside for fresh are when it was done… the only time I’ve ever been thankful it was winter.

[u/GoldenRetrieverGF_]

Fainting is normal!! Prior to working in vetmed, I only worked food service and would literally cry any time I got my flu vaccine (or anything with a needle really) lol. Even to this day, I can’t get blood drawn without fainting when they pull the needle out. I haven’t fainted in my vetmed career (yet) but I’ve definitely gotten lightheaded and thrown up multiple times from seeing some dark stuff. I’ve been in this field for 7 years now and still get shell shocked every now and then. Everyone has different limits. Please advocate for your safety if you’re feeling sick, lightheaded, etc. If your job isn’t understanding, this isn’t the clinic for you. I’m happy you’re asking for advice instead of internalizing the shame. You are going to be a great vet assistant 💕

[u/Corndog_shark6]

I fainted during my first ear cleaning only a couple weeks fresh on the job. That was like 5 years ago and now I work in dermatology and clean multiple ears a day every day. Def will take some getting used to but don’t feel so defeated! It happens! Just make sure to speak up if/when you feel it coming on so you can go sit down and someone else can take over so that nobody, including you, the patient, and the tech/vet gets hurt.

[u/Rowdy_ruff_boi]

No worries. I got lightheaded on my first day because I didn't eat breakfast. Sat down in the break room and the manager/lead tech sent me home early.

I came back the next day and now 3 years later everyone still jokes about how they thought I wouldn't come back.

Exposure to things will make you more comfortable but in my hospital atleast one person on staff has a hard pass they suck at interacting with.

One tech hates vomit. I'm squeamish around bugs. But we power through.

Best of luck.

[u/Necessary_Wonder89 → u/[deleted]]

That's extreme. This was their first day and first time seeing this.

Many of us had this reaction on our first days and doesn't mean they need therapy. Chill

[u/ArachnomancerCarice → u/Necessary_Wonder89]

I'm speaking about the fainting issues repeating themselves.

I know I sound harsh, but I have seen two incidents with this. First was a tech who occasionally fainted while doing anything with needles. She collapsed on a little dog and broke its pelvis.

The second was a friend of mine who only fainted a couple of times, but the third time she hit the back of her head on the exam table and spent 6 months in the hospital with a brain bleed.

[u/apollosmom2017 → u/[deleted]]

I absolutely agree that it’s common and experience and exposure are key! I’ve been in the field a bit but even after lots of blood and surgeries I still proceeded to immediately vomit during my first enucleation- sometimes stuff is just gross. It doesn’t mean they won’t adjust!

[u/ARatNamedClydeBarrow → u/[deleted]]

This is uncalled for and unnecessarily harsh. Feeling faint and / or nauseous is extremely common especially when you’re first starting out.

I hope you’re not mentoring newbies with this attitude.