Wiping Butt...

Nurses General Nursing

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What percantage of your time is devoted to wiping butt? I am thinking about going into nursing and would appreciate some input on this issue. Thank you.

Specializes in Cardiac.
Reading the OP's other posts, I don't think it's a troll per se, but rather one of the "I want to be a CRNA, but unfortunately I have to work as a nurse first and I'm all worried about having to wipe a butt because I really just want to go straight to the big bucks" types.

IOW, clueless about both RNs and CRNAs.

Yep, I did the same thing-reviewed the OPs post history. It's the ol' "I only want to be a CRNA but not a nurse" thing again....

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Specializes in SRNA.

I just need to say that the whole question is seriously in bad taste, IMO. If you have to ask, then you're going the wrong path.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

would you rather be the one cleaning up the mess, or the one sitting in it?

This would make a great t-shirt.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Don't forget to wipe my butt Kids Baseball Jersey : wipe butt : CafePress.com_

Well, this is as close as I can get for a Tshirt!

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Specializes in Flight, ER, Transport, ICU/Critical Care.

LETS SEE....

When I do WIPE BUTT, I'd say I'm spending 100% of my time doing it at THAT VERY POINT.

When I'm not "wiping butt", I spend 0% of my time at the task. But, I DO spend that time doing something. I could be doing assessments, medications, advocating, communicating, problem-solving, saving someone's (or my own) butt...anyway I do hope you get the idea.

If you do DIRECT patient care, you will wipe butt. BIG DEAL. If this is your primary concern with nursing, you'll really be derailed at the time you spend kissing a** in some form or another. Or my personal favorite, is actually having my a** handed to me... ;)

WOW, just when I think I've been asked EVERYTHING...I get to answer a NEW question! :) Thanks!

GOOD LUCK!

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Specializes in CNA, RN Student.
What percantage of your time is devoted to wiping butt? I am thinking about going into nursing and would appreciate some input on this issue. Thank you.

In your defense (as I know you will probably get some harsh remarks with this question) I would say that you have a valid question. The reason I say that is because you said you were "thinking about going into nursing" and if butt wiping is something you cannot handle than obviously the answers will help you determine if nursing is for you.

As a daughter of a nurse who always insisted I followed in her footsteps (and growing up it just didn't seem to be my "thing") I too was afraid of the "dirty work" involved with the field. My mother retired from the hospital setting and started a new career opening nursing/group homes for pts with dimentia and alzheimers and also for the mentally ill. During this time I also became a parent and was suddenly exposed to individuals who could not carry out the simple everyday tasks such as "butt wiping" as we could for ourselves. I decided I did want to be a nurse because I could not imagine what it would be like to not be able to take care of myself.

IMHO, being a nurse is helping people who cannot help themselves. Even if it involves "dirty work" I would say 1) when you start learning about everything the human body and it's physiology encompasses (excrements included) you realize that it is all natural 2) you subsequently become acclimated to it and 3)the rewards of helping someone will extensively outweigh all the "butt wiping" tasks in your career that you might just forget that as a nurse it is actually something you did.

If you are really considering nursing I would definately do some research. Perhaps take a CNA course or something to that nature, volunteer work or job shadow a nurse for some exposure to see if it is something you can handle.

Good luck and best wishes

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Specializes in School Nursing.

It's a job that someone has to do. Why not us ? It's our job, but it doesn't consume our entire day. Consider this....if it is your dear old Grandad that sitting in his own mess, calling out for some assistance...what would you do ?

You would clean him up without any thought of it...right ? (i sure hope so)

so look at it this way. No one wants to inflict this on anyone on purpose, but as nurses you will need to deal with this at some time. If you are not up to the job....then I suggest you find something else to do. Actually, if you have to ask the question...then I feel you are not cracked up for this job.;)

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What percantage of your time is devoted to wiping butt? I am thinking about going into nursing and would appreciate some input on this issue. Thank you.

As far as I know sweety...everyone has to do it except the DR's. RN's, LPN's and CNA in certain settings have to do patient care. I hope your planning on being apart of administration or something.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

Some of our surgeons will even help clean up a pt. without even being asked.

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Wow. Some of the replys here were very insightful and others I got a chuckle from!! :roll

Very good replys here... oh and what is Stat?? Someone mentioned working in Stat... what is that??

Thanks all!!

P.S. And to the OP for what it's worth.. I had some of the same questions a while ago when first considering the field and you just accept it as part of the job. I believe it's a small part of the overall dynamics of being a nurse. When I think of myself as an RN, I get tears in my eyes. This will be a second carrer for me and I have prayed much on it. I start RN school in 2 weeks!!! Yahoo!!

Yes, you may have to wipe some butts or empty some urine, but you are HELPING someone and making a difference in someone's life.. THAT is the reward. It's just a small part of the pie and probably not all that bad once you jump in! I am sure you have cleaned up dog vomit or poop. You just do it and jump into whatever needs to be done next!

Good luck in your decisions!! E

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Reading the OP's other posts, I don't think it's a troll per se, but rather one of the "I want to be a CRNA, but unfortunately I have to work as a nurse first and I'm all worried about having to wipe a butt because I really just want to go straight to the big bucks" types.

IOW, clueless about both RNs and CRNAs.

Ohhhh I so agree with you. I was thinking the samething. This is the same person who treats anyone with a lower title like sh**

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And for the record, I would rather wipe a butt ANYDAY compared to suctioning.

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