Medical Assistant???

@vhenwood (1061)
United States
December 7, 2006 6:37pm CST
So I'm taking a class to become a Medical Assistant . . .so far so good, I have one of the highest grades in the class. We've learned anatomy and injections and things like that . . .but my question is . . .what is it like once you get into the field? Is giving injections to actual patients still just as nerve racking as it is giving it to another student??? I'm actually quite nervous about going out there. Istart my externship in about 2 months and I'm TERRIFIED!! I'm scared I'm going to mess up and cause some major trouble!! I know deep down that I won't because I DO NOT want to hurt someone . . .and dear God especially a child!! Are my nerves normal??? My instructer says I'm really good at what I'm doing and she hopes to see me go farther, which I intend, but I'm still scared. Anyone out there got any good advice??? Thanks Ya'll!!!
7 people like this
35 responses
@rocky777 (353)
• India
8 Dec 06
Just imagine when you start, that you are administering the injection to a fellow student. You won't be that nervous then, and you are really *good* at injecting students, so why are you nervous? Human bodies are much the same! Nerves settle down with practice and I am sure you will not feel the same a few real injections down the line...
2 people like this
@rocky777 (353)
• India
8 Dec 06
Its really just the first time that things appear really daunting.
2 people like this
@vhenwood (1061)
• United States
8 Dec 06
It is!! We did our first blood draw tonight in class . . . I had a fellow studen draw mine and I thought I was going to DIE!!! Then I did hers . . . I felt so awesome!!! It was GREAT!!!
1 person likes this
@NewHeart (528)
• Canada
8 Dec 06
you should be alright just talk to person about something interesting keep their mind off what you are about to do. feel less pain when not watching you or other nurse when listening to what they are saying... this coming from someone who gets the needles...lol
2 people like this
@vhenwood (1061)
• United States
8 Dec 06
well if you're getting stabbed all the time, You'd be the one to take advice from!!! Thanks!
1 person likes this
• United States
8 Dec 06
First off it is totally natural to be scared. You are practicing on each other but it is not the same in the real world. The teacher knows what they are doing and when they say you are doing a good job you are. When you get into externship if you have to give an injection or draw blood a medical assistant or perhaps a nurse in the doctors office will be with you. They are not just going to hand you the needle and say "Here you go!" Also I seriously doubt that they are going to have you give an injection or draw blood from a child for quite awhile. Chances are you are going to observe to gain the knowledge of how you are going to need to handle things. Just relax and remember what you learn and you will do just fine!
@vhenwood (1061)
• United States
8 Dec 06
Ya know, that's a good point about the kids . . .I didn't even think about that! That would be a smart move though!!! Thanks for the encouraging words!
1 person likes this
• Philippines
8 Dec 06
just believe in your self that you can do it, when you do such thing like, giving injections, you must relax your self, your nervous becuase you are only a newbie but later on you will get used to it. all i can say is, relax and have self confidence, good luck to you and have a nice day.
2 people like this
@vhenwood (1061)
• United States
8 Dec 06
Thanks!
1 person likes this
@sororravn (448)
• United States
8 Dec 06
I know that when I have been told that the person taking my blood is an extern then I am more patient with that persopn. I know that they are qualified to take my blood - just still in the beginning stages of their career! Take heed knowing that you are doing a good thing getting into the MA field. You might also check into Plasma donation centers for these seem to be some of the best places to get your feet wet. Most people donating plasma have been doing it for a while and will be more patient with you!
2 people like this
@vhenwood (1061)
• United States
8 Dec 06
That's a really good idea. I never thought to try a plasma bank!
1 person likes this
@madlough (69)
• India
8 Dec 06
First you should not love the petient, just you have look the cause of deseas and you have to think it is only a body you have to work on it, you are just a machanic to rectify the problem in the body. Every body have the fear in first time, fear will gooff when practicing.
2 people like this
@vhenwood (1061)
• United States
8 Dec 06
thanks
1 person likes this
• India
8 Dec 06
I am already a medical staff.Iam working in hospital a seniour nurseing staff also I am very happy to my job ,my patients also very happy .My hospital staff also very happy in our job.I giving injection actual patients are told me Sister your hand is very nise,this time I am very happy and satisfied my job,thank God.
1 person likes this
@vhenwood (1061)
• United States
8 Dec 06
Thanks :)
1 person likes this
• India
8 Dec 06
if you get nervous i think you are not going to achieve anything, regarding hurting you are not hurting instead you are treating a patient, in the field of medicing you need to be brave ........ i am a doctor and i am sure you can overcome these things in the future.....happy going, dont lose your heart
1 person likes this
@vhenwood (1061)
• United States
8 Dec 06
Thanks!
1 person likes this
@vhenwood (1061)
• United States
8 Dec 06
You weren't nervous at all when you first went into the field????
1 person likes this
• India
8 Dec 06
well i don't think its as difficult. its jus u need some field pactise and then u'll feel confident...
1 person likes this
@vhenwood (1061)
• United States
8 Dec 06
Well I hope that's all it will take!
1 person likes this
@rubypatson (1841)
• India
8 Dec 06
I am a dentist by profession, and i had this fear in the begning, but slowly as you gain the experience this fear goes away and it will be replaced with confidence so dont worry its natural to be scared in the begning after all we are dealing with humans and we need to be careful
1 person likes this
@vhenwood (1061)
• United States
8 Dec 06
Thanks :)I really appreciate everyone's support in here!!!
• Philippines
8 Dec 06
That's so exciting! I understand how you feel, it is a bit more nerve racking if you're administering the meds for real rather than just your lab partner. If your instructor says you're good, then you are good. You'll probably encounter difficult patients in the future but most are really good natured. Good luck! You'll do just fine :-)
1 person likes this
@vhenwood (1061)
• United States
8 Dec 06
Thanks fot the encouraging words!!!!
1 person likes this
• Philippines
8 Dec 06
Alright! Just remember that the pain your inflicting is necessary in order to help the patients. That's what I do back when my hands trembled unceasingly even before injecting the meds.
1 person likes this
@vhenwood (1061)
• United States
9 Dec 06
no pain no gain!
1 person likes this
• India
8 Dec 06
well jus do ur work with confident n be relax.....dont feel nervous....n u will always be gud in ur career...well all the best..
1 person likes this
@vhenwood (1061)
• United States
8 Dec 06
Thank You
1 person likes this
@wesall (27)
• Zambia
8 Dec 06
Just believe in your self and do your best and you will be fine!
1 person likes this
@vhenwood (1061)
• United States
15 Dec 06
That seems to be the groing trend!!! Hopefully I'll do ok.
• United States
26 Dec 06
Don't know where you are, but the chances that you will not do much hands on care is slight at least where I come from, you will answer the phone file maybe call patients, but invasive procedures, probably not.
1 person likes this
@vhenwood (1061)
• United States
28 Dec 06
I've been trained to do invasive in office procedures.
• United States
8 Dec 06
I used to have to give my mom injections while she was going through treatment for her cancer. They're not as bad as you think they are, I promise! You'll do great. And congrats on almost being done!
1 person likes this
@vhenwood (1061)
• United States
8 Dec 06
Thanks!!! Hope your mom is doing MUCH better!!!
1 person likes this
@pookie92 (1714)
• United States
8 Dec 06
EVERYONE is afraid and nervous when they are starting something new. Make sure to ask that your first one be an adult, and after you've stabbed a few, you'll be laughing about how nervous you were. Just go for it, you'll be fine.
@vhenwood (1061)
• United States
8 Dec 06
I hope it will be that easy!!! Thanks!
1 person likes this
@koushika (693)
• India
8 Dec 06
i m a would be doctor, and i understand well how u feel like...its natural when it comes to experiment on the patients who come to u in distress, but i think u ve done enough on ur friends already , so u r completely ready for tackling ur patients...now, though we re afraid of out first steps in life, first day of school, our exams and all other things, still we crossed all that and came...didn't we...this is also going to be one routine thing that when u turn back and look after some five or six months of starting ur externship, u ll find out that its just normal and u ve done well indeed...so be prepared and face it with a confident smile...everything will be alright....
1 person likes this
@vhenwood (1061)
• United States
8 Dec 06
Thanks a bunch . . .I've gotten some really great advice in here and some really REALLY encouraging words!! Thanksa so much ya'll!
1 person likes this
• Pakistan
8 Dec 06
Thats a good discussion.I like your discussion very much. Hope you get a lot of responses and earn a lot.Good luck.
1 person likes this
@vhenwood (1061)
• United States
8 Dec 06
Thanks a bunch!
1 person likes this
@shoelover (896)
• Australia
8 Dec 06
You will be fine. It will become routine in no time. All you have to remember is to look confident as that helps people to relax. You are going to go far in this field. Congratulations.
1 person likes this
@vhenwood (1061)
• United States
8 Dec 06
Thank You
1 person likes this
• United States
8 Dec 06
yes being nervous is normal but when you first start in the field you have someone there to help you until you get the hang of things .. i am sure you will do very well good luck
@vhenwood (1061)
• United States
8 Dec 06
Yea I hope it's calming having someone there with me . . . just hope I don't get dependant on them being there!! Thanks!!!
1 person likes this