Is it common for medical students to enter the medical field and have a nervous reaction to the sight of blood (blood phobia)?

Hi!
First of all congratulations on being accepted to this program!
I can guarantee that your fear will go away. Like any other fear, this is in your mind and fortunately we all can control our minds. You said that "you are dead set on overcoming your fear" and that's all it takes: your willingness to do this. Think of all the help that you will be able to provide to people in need by doing this and that thought will help you get through. Do not get discouraged if it takes you a few weeks or months to feel completely comfortable. Overcoming fears can take time. You may want to consider getting some help from a counselor that has dealt with phobias before.
Finally, not all nurses need to deal with blood every day. You could find a job in which you don't have to. I work with many nurses in the pharmaceutical industry who work on clinical trial design and interpretation as well as in many other roles.
Here's a good article for you to read about phobias and how to know if you need additional help:
http://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/phobias-and-fears.htm

Congratulations on your acceptance into school for the "most trusted professional"!! A great profession and a calling, really. Fears will come up about many things in nursing mostly because it will be the first time you'll see many gross things!! But all you need to know is that you will be prepared long before you actually take care of any blood, or ether bodily fluid! Plus you'll have the support of your team of student nurses with you who become friends, your instructor/professor, and the other staff RN's on the floor working who will be there for you. All will give you the courage and strength to handle situations, and believe it or not you will do the same for them in no time at all!!
You will do great, especially with the strong will you have already displayed on here! Besides, once you graduate and get a few years experience "under your scrubs", you can work doing so many different non-clinical roles you'll be amazed! After all the many fields of nursing I worked in, I was considered an "medical expert" and am now a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant, and I don't touch or see blood at all!!!
Best of luck to you! Remember to always start clinical mornings or evenings with a meal in your tummy, so you have strength and brain food to get through your day!

What is your response to this fear exactly? You "don't like the sight of blood" or you pass out and get pale and clammy, etc?