[pinksugar]

Originally Posted by IampattyRN

poop is part of nursing, if you don't like it then you shouldn't be a nurse.

I don't think so. In fact, I think something would be seriously wrong with me if I enjoyed cleaning a grown adult's behind and feces.

OP - You will probably get over your aversion to poo. I clean it on a daily basis at work. Sometimes it is just regular old poo, and sometimes it has c.diff or something else and is really yucky. I always try not to gag, etc. if it is really gross b/c that makes the pt feel bad, but you are only human. I had a fully lucid pt one time and I was gagging left and right cleaning his poo. Well, I felt really bad about it and we both ended up laughing in hysterics over it.

[NurseMom83]

I was just as worried as you when I started nursing school about the whole diaper thing and I'm just gonna be honest with ya. When someone tells you that changing an adults diaper is just like changing a baby's, they're full of it. I have changed MORE than my share of baby diapers, but when it came to my first adult I almost lost it and after all this time it hasn't really gotten any easier. Every nurse has that one "button" that sets off the gag reflex. That's normal. Here's a tip for ya though that has helped me out on many occassions. Vicks! Just get a small container of Vicks and keep it in your pocket. When you're afraid the smell might overwhelm you just step behind the door and put a little in your nose. It really does help. As for the sight of it, that is something that seems to get easier with time. So don't worry about it. Tell yourself it's no big deal. Go in with that attitude and you'll be suprised at what you can handle. Good luck!

[Bx_RN2B]

I'm not full of it...that's just the way I feel. I've been a CNA and I have two children so I have wiped plenty of poopy bottoms in my time.

I think it's a only a big deal if you make it out to be one.

When someone tells you that changing an adults diaper is just like changing a baby's, they're full of it.

[bulldoggurlie]

Ah poop. I just finished my first semester of nursing school at a geriatric facility. I'm not grossed out very easily, but I wasn't exactly thrilled about cleaning poop, but on my first day of actual clinical me and another student changed a pt.'s diaper that was quite full...ya...made me get over it since we just went in head first. Aside from introducing myself it was the first thing I really did in clinical so it made me get over any prexisting stigmas I had. I guess its just something to grin and bear. There are worse things. Oh and for those who say if you don't like poop get out of nursing...isn't it kinda weird if you like it????

[NurseMom83]

Originally Posted by Falon

I'm not full of it...that's just the way I feel. I've been a CNA and I have two children so I have wiped plenty of poopy bottoms in my time.

I think it's a only a big deal if you make it out to be one.

I meant no offense by "full of it"...just that not everyone is the same. I also have 2 children and worked in childcare for many years before going into nursing so baby diapers are no big deal. Now even after all this time in nursing there are still adult diapers that get to me from time to time. When I was a new nursing student I was told the same thing by a well meaning long time CNA. I went into change my first one with that attitude and it really threw me for a loop. It was NOT the same thing to me and I'm sure others feel the same. I just don't want new students to be thrown off like I was. I thought there was something wrong with me b/c it bothered me so much.
TO ALL NEW STUDENTS: As I said before, each nurse has that one button, that one thing, that bothers them and that's perfectly ok. In time and with a little experience you learn to adjust and deal with it in your own way. This doesn't mean you shouldn't be a nurse. The best nurses out there have something that gets to them. Just know everyone is different and until you are actually in a situation you don't know what your reaction will be. Take it one day at a time and you'll be fine. Good Luck!

[Cartersmom]

Poop is one of the 3 P's of nursing Poop, Puke and Pee. I too was a little afraid of the whole poop thing at first, but I kept reminding myself that I had gloves on so I wasn't actually "touching" the poop and sometimes I breath through my mouth to reduce the smell. If that doesn't work wear a mask and feign a cold. It is definitely worse for the patient. Just yesterday it was discovered that the patient in the bed next to my patient has c-diff. He is a younger guy who is completely capable to do for himself. However, he does have other psych issues and after going to the bathroom he left the room a complete disaster. There was poop everywhere, in the sink, on the soap dispenser, on his chair, the bed and all over his clothes (which he did not mind in the least and refused to change). We did move my patient out of the room and put both on isolation. Even the most seasoned nurses were afraid to walk into that room and the whole unit had that unmistakeable stench. We all had to laugh or we would have cried. Good luck!!!!!

[ena1978]

I was just like you, and maybe im still a little like you. Im in my second year of nursing school, but when I first started my first semester, I was terrified of poop!!!! I had never changed a diaper or smelled anyone else's pooh. But as i began my clinicals, I did come across alot of butt cleaning and it was the sickest thing...... and then reality hit me. I told myself ," Elena this is part of being a nurse, get with it and suck it up". From that point on I try to ignore the smell and just do the best I can for my patient. Believe me you just need to get used to it. I still have my moments when i say "OMG!!! What the heck is that smell" but i remember this is just part of nursing.

[janony]

Ok, maybe someone here can help me with my poop problem.

I am almost always totally fine with cleaning poop of off people, changing diapers, beds, whatnot. Just doesn't bother me that much.

But when I have to take a bedpan/commode into the bathroom and clean it, i am gagging and even puking on a regular basis. It's something about the splashing, needing to scrub, etc, without the distraction of a patient who needs me, that just sets it off.

I admit to sometimes just bagging the mess and throwing it in biohazard because I cannot deal with it.

So... any suggestions for making it easier to clean poopy objects? (rather than poopy patients?)

thanks!

laura

[stresdoutnursnstudnt]

i did clinicals last june in a nursing home and the poop was awfull i can not deal with that now i'm in for my LPNs and still i hate poop it's prob one the hardest grosses things to deal with i can handle blood and snot but not poop!

[anonymurse]

Originally Posted by ena1978

I told myself ," Elena this is part of being a nurse, get with it and suck it up".

I don't think I'd have chosen quite that turn of phrase...