<p>Hi.
I really like my AP Biology class, and I'm doing well in all of my classes. I'm currently a senior at my high school in the top 1% of my class. I used to get really dizzy/nauseous when I saw blood, however I haven't felt this way in about 3 years. It's uncontrollable - and I'm really interested in possibly pursuing a career in the medical field. I've always considered this a hindrence to any success in the field, however now I'm second guessing myself. Is there anything I should consider and or do to test myself for this field?
-Thanks
A Path-Searching Senior</p>
<p>maybe start doing some volunteer work at a hospital or ambulance center. I'm worried about this too. So I'm going to start riding on ambulances next week to seek if i can handle medical situations. I'm hoping it will go well and I'll know for sure if i want to be a doctor.</p>
<p>Yea...that's a good idea</p>
<p>I've known people who have gone both ways</p>
<p>Some do some volunteer work, get more exposure to blood, and realize they can handle it. Others are just too grossed out by it. Always a good idea to find out early!!</p>
<p>hahaha YES, more EMS. Yo lemme tell you guys, ive been on an ambulance for 1700 hours (approaching 4 years now). I have seen A LOT, not everything, but definatly a good amount. Now through my experiences I have watched some gung-ho pre-meds quit because they cant handle it. </p>
<p>Ill tell you right now, riding on an ambulance is gonna expose you to more then just gore...you are gonna see stuff that you might not be able to handle that you arent even thinking about right now. For instance...parents/family blaming YOU for the death of a loved one, a critically ill patient asking YOU if they are gonna die, a patient actually dying in your arms and you end up asking yourself if you caused it. This in addition to just being able to handle stressfull, chaotic situations where dozens of people are coming to you for answers. </p>
<p>Ive seen the valedictorian of my class throw up and decide not to apply for pre-med...so def prepare yourself. The best advice i can give you is to NOT...i repeat NOT go into this with the intention of trying to decide whether medicine is for you. If you do that, then you are going into this business for the WRONG reasons. Peoples lives WILL BE PUT INTO YOUR HANDS...if this is about you then please dont get on that ambulance.</p>
<p>haha. i TOTALLY sympathize with the OP...
any kind of nasty sights and blood don't do ANYTHING for me, but needles REALLY freak me out and make me all dizzy and weak. Even thinking about it or watching on TV makes me kinda weak...</p>
<p>I also wanna add that you are gonna find the majority of people in EMS are not pre-meds or future doctors...they are people who do this for a living because they have a passion for helping others, or they might be volunteers who just enjoy it. It is like the fire department, it is definatly a brotherhood...dont go into it being all like...."i wanna be a doctor" they will see right through you, that you arent there for the reasons like they are and you are gonna have a miserable time</p>