Cutting the nails...

Question
Alright, it's about time I asked somewhere knowledgable... I have a problem with my dwarf rabbit, and that problem is that I just can't cut her nails.

She's always really edgy around the scissors, when they're near her she's ok, but the second i take off the safety (whether it's near her or not) she panics and goes away.

This has been a problem for far too long now, and the nails are pretty long, and by pretty long, i mean, too long.

She has her own room and is not confined to a cage, she's potty trained so she does her duty in the bottom half of her cage (which i've left in her room for her to do that in).
The floor is carpet, and I'm pretty sure she's COMFORTABLE with the nails, they don't curl under but i'm sure if she tries to run they become a nuisance for her.
I've tried holding her but she jumped off my lap and broke a nail because of it, and the main reason i don't take her to the vet is because the last time she had her nails cut he cut too close, and that's pretty much been the last time she ever let me even get near the nails.
The nails are also a concern because i hear of how fragile they are and am afraid of her getting too scared during it and it being worse for her... so what could you recomment?

Thank you for your time

Answer
Well they are going to need to be trimmed.  Even if they aren't curling, in time they will affect her gait and may cause other foot problems like sore hocks.

As you know bunnies are highly un-cooperative with this.  

You may have to ease into it, one foot or just one or two nails at a time.

The problem will come with the method used to restrain her.  Most of my bunnies, I cradle them in one arm or lay them on their back in my lap.  I have also tried putting some on a counter top.  There probably will be some trial and error to find a method that will work for her.  

Some really difficult rabbits do better on a counter top.  It's slick and some fight less.  But you have to be careful that if they fight the clipping, they don't fall or fly off the counter.

My favorite method is on their back in my lap, but most of my rabbits don't get used to this one for some time.  Being on their back is not natural for them and it takes time for them to get used to it.

Another method is the bunny burrito.  But in the 10 years I've had rabbits, I've never gotten the bunny to stay stuffed in the burrito.  But this method works for some people.  Youtube has some good videos on the bunny burrito.

You can also try this hold method:
http://www.mnhouserabbit.org/care/nailtrimming.html

with the smaller rabbits, I usually put them at more of a 45 degree angle and hold them tightly to my side.

Sorry, I don't have an exact answer, but this is something that will take some trial and error to find what works.  I've also used some bribery and give a favorite fruit or vegetable after I'm done.  And after a nail clipping, they all act like they earned that carrot very much.