Debriefing. :)

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I am a new CNA student (who hopes to eventually become a Registered Nurse) who will be starting clinicals soon. I know this may sound a little petty, but I'm kind of nervous about peri-care and changing people's briefs. I have young children myself, and am quite accustomed to (and not grossed-out by) changing their diapers, but I've never really had particularly good experiences with those of other friends' kids. How...gruesome is it to perform peri-care and change briefs on pts? Honestly, it's the only thing making me nervous about being a CNA! Thanks for your responses - I hope this post doesn't make me sound too shallow.

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Honestly , I had done adult breifs before becoming a cna and changed and cleaned colostomy bags............lol, so not a lot is 'hard' for me to take. but I did have a experience during clincials where I did almost loose it , just because i wasn't expecting a bm and when I wiped and there was a lot. it was just so unexpected that It threw me off. now im much more accoustmed and lol, I ALWAYS expect it just in case. that is part of the clincals is to get used to pericare, Now not even 3 months later i don't think twice about it. You will get the hang of it and be perfectly fine!!

Steph

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Specializes in ALF, Medical, ER.

Trust me you'll get used to it. I try not to focus on what I'm cleaning up, just that I am making someone feel a lot better. First couple of times were uncomfortable because frankly sometimes you just don't know where to start. But you'll get the hang of it and it will just be another day at the office.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Thanks so much for your encouragement. I guess it can't really be that different from diapering a toddler, right?

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I am hopefully starting my CNA training soon. I was also a bit nervous too. I've never really been the squeamish type but then again I've never had to change anyone's underwear. My theory is just to tough it up and get through it the first few times until I get used to it.

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Thanks so much for your encouragement. I guess it can't really be that different from diapering a toddler, right?

lol, its actually quite different, lol, but you could have your two year old role to their side instead of throw their legs over thier head. :) i had my five year old be my 'model' when I was practing for the state certification. I would use a book as a 'bedpan' and go through all the steps. rofl , both my 3 and 5 year old insisted on me doing foot care on them multiple times.

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holding a conversation with the resident is always a great distraction for what you are really doing. Just ask them how their day is going or what they like to do for fun, tell them you like their shirt. Anything like that to get them started talking and it really helps.

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Specializes in RN- Med/surg.
lol, its actually quite different, lol, but you could have your two year old role to their side instead of throw their legs over thier head. :) i had my five year old be my 'model' when I was practing for the state certification. I would use a book as a 'bedpan' and go through all the steps. rofl , both my 3 and 5 year old insisted on me doing foot care on them multiple times.

Lol- this made me laugh because I realized I never changed my toddlers like that. I was so used to changing residents...by the time my kids could stand....I changed their diapers standing up. My MIL would laugh..but it was easier for me than laying them down at that point. ESPECIALLY when I needed to change them in public. I hated changing tables in bathrooms.

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Specializes in ICU. Med/Surg: Ortho, Neuro, & Cardiac.
Trust me you'll get used to it. I try not to focus on what I'm cleaning up, just that I am making someone feel a lot better. First couple of times were uncomfortable because frankly sometimes you just don't know where to start. But you'll get the hang of it and it will just be another day at the office.

I think you hit the nail on the head. I focus on the fact that I'm making someone feel better. I never think about what I'm cleaning up.

And what sarajane14 said is also true. I usually try to hold a conversation with the patient. A lot of patients (especially those in 50s or 60s) are probably just about as uncomfortable as you are about having to be cleaned up because they can't do it themselves. I talk to a patient last night while changing him and he told me the entire history of the town I live in and how it has changed over the last 60 years. lol

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Specializes in ER, OB.

You will get used to it. It really isn't a big deal. You just do it and go on. Espically if you work in LTC! If you work in LTC you will be changing people quite often. It seems in the hospital that I don't do it near as much but no matter what you decide to do or what unit you decide to work in as a nurse you will need this skill. You will get used to it and it can be gross at some times no matter how much you do it.

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Specializes in ICU. Med/Surg: Ortho, Neuro, & Cardiac.
You will get used to it. It really isn't a big deal. You just do it and go on. Espically if you work in LTC! If you work in LTC you will be changing people quite often. It seems in the hospital that I don't do it near as much but no matter what you decide to do or what unit you decide to work in as a nurse you will need this skill. You will get used to it and it can be gross at some times no matter how much you do it.

On the contrary, I take it you've never worked a busy gastrointestinal unit in a hospital. GoLytely + an incontinent patient = 7 or 8 brief changes, per patient. lol

Oh, and those awful tube feedings will do it too.

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