How do CNAs "shave" patients?

[Green1972]

I am thinking about becoming a CNA and then a nurse. Could somebody explain to me how CNAs "shave" patients? Out of everything they are responsible in doing, this part of the job scares me the most (especially shaving the private areas.) Do they use a razor blade?

Thank you.

[Green1972]

Thank you fuzzywuzzy, nkara, and Virgo_RN for responding to my posting! You have really helped me get a better idea of what to expect with the shaving thing.

[ToBANurse2010]

Here in MI we only shave our male clients, and only trim female clients when supervised by an RN. We're only responsibly for shaving the male face & sometimes the female client that may grow a beard and we may shave that if she allows it. But again, there's no shaving of the pubic hairs :wink2:

[Commanderzoom]

I have to shave the male and female residents at work and it's no big deal. Sometimes they get nicked if they jerk their head, but usually not. If you can shave your legs, you can shave someone's face.

I had one woman ask me to shave her legs in the shower before and that was kind of awkward and time consuming. It's not my job to do that (we have spa aids who handle things like that) and I didn't want to do it because I didn't really have time, but I didn't know how to tell her no without insulting her. There's another woman with a full bush that gets in the way during peri-care and we may have to do something about that. I don't want to be the one to take the hedge trimmers to that mess.

[Green1972]

Thank you very much Commanderzoom and ToBANurse2010 for responding to my question!

Commanderzoom

Wow Commanderzoom. . you had to shave her legs too! You made me laugh out loud when I read the part about the woman with a full bush that might need a trim (because of the difficulties doing pericare.) :chuckle

ToBANurse2010

If I read correctly ToBANurse2010, you don't have to shave their pubic hair at all. Is that right?

Thank you!