Anyone else have problems with Vomit and Feces?

[Dental Hygienist]

In general, gory stuff doesn't really bug me. Blood, pus, mucous, urine? eh-no big deal.

But I have a particular sensitivity to vomit and feces (I think it's the smell)....I just gag...repeatedly....I won't actually vomit myself, but it seems like I am going to. :oThis particularly worries me because I don't want to make the patient feel bad as I am trying to care for them.

I mean don't get me wrong, I've been in situations before with children and drunk adults where I've had to deal with excessive amounts of vomit and feces, and I am able to get the job done and do the cleanup or whatever needs to be done; but I just gag and dry-heave the whole time....

I feel like I have what it takes to be a nurse. I won't bother listing the qualifications that I "think" I have. And, suffice it to say that from my dental career, I have learned that blood and needles etc. don't really bother me. I inject my patients every day that I work. I deal with blood and mucous and other yucky mouth secretions daily, and not only does it not bother me, but I actually think it is kind of cool to incise and drain a large abscess! But it wasn't always so, I had to learn to get used to it...the first time I made a person bleed with my dental tools I was horrified, now it's no big deal.

So, I wonder will it be the same with nursing care and vomit and feces? Will I eventually just get used to it? Did/does anyone else deal with this problem or can you offer any tips or helpful advice?

By the way, I think I'm already making great strides because I called it "vomit and feces" instead of "puke and poop"

[evilolive07, BSN]

I have that problem too sometimes, I really get bummed out by the sound of vomiting. I don't like wiping butt when I have a cold (and I have to inhale to not nose-drip on a client)... it happens. I'm sure the more you're around it, the easier it is to deal with it. Anyone find that to be true, or am I completely off, haha.

[shellsgogreen]

it gets to me sometimes, yesterday while i was helping a pt to the bathroom, he didn't quite make it, and the floor was covered in feces.

i settled him in the restroom, then as i was cleaning up, my stomach lurched - i got through it quickly, but my appetite was shot for the rest of the day:uhoh21:

[Diary/Dairy, RN]

Some things take some time to get used to - I do not like dealing with either bodily substance, but you gotta do what you gotta do. I still get sick with some things...but for the most part, it really does not bother me that much.