Bed Baths & Other Nursing Arts Still Taught? (Speaking of Wet Wipe Baths)

[DoGoodThenGo]

Just wondering if learning how to give bed baths is still taught in today's RN nursing programs? Or has it gone the way of other nursing arts such as three different types of bed making and so forth?

[aachavez]

My mom has always been insanely picky about making her bed. During my fundamentals (which I finish this week) our first skills were hand washing, vital signs, bed making, baths, oral care, changing briefs, dressing and similar. I figured that my mom got her hospital corner skills from grandma, who was an RN for ever. My instructor was pleased with my mitred corners! The only other person in the class that did really well at bed making was the ex-military guy. He was so over analytical, that he was looking for a ruler, asking for measurements.

But in answer to the original question, Yes, these skills are being taught. During this term we learned all 'CNA' skills, and did tons of 'em at our nursing home clinical.

[NewbieNeedsHelp]

Yes, graduated in 2011 and taught bed baths and bed making

Rarely do I make beds or bathe patients where I work now... Guess I'm lucky. Sometimes I think the techs have a harder job haha jk

[Skips, MSN, RN]

I learned how to do that in my CNA course. We did not cover that in my BSN program because one of the requirements to get in was being a CNA. We were expected to know how to do that already.

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

I had to learn this in school, along with making an occupied, unoccupied bed, and the mitered corners. And, I just graduated 2 years ago. Those mitered corners went out the window after my first clinical, just not natural for me lol.

I haven't mitered a corner since nursing school either. If I help a CNA by getting a pt up out of bed I tell them that I got them changed, dressed and up.... but they need to go make the bed.

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

Besides, making beds is womens' work.

*ducks*

[SwansonRN]

I just graduated from a 4 year BSN program and I remember very vaguely one lab day where we learned how to make occupied beds and perform bed baths with wipes. It was totally lame. I got by in clinical because I became a CNA during one of my summer breaks and learned the basics there. In the hospital where I work now, I have never even SEEN those wipes. I think they're nasty :/

[ukjenn231]

we didn't learn bed baths and making beds but a pre req to starting the program (bsn) was to complete a cna course.

[nursenotamaid]

I went to nursing school about 12 years ago (wow...that long?!) and we were taught soap and water baths with wash cloths and we also had to make our beds with flat sheets, not fitted ones.

Now, the hospital I work in does not *allow* soap and water baths. Every bath has to be done with chlorhexidine wipes and thats that. If I have a really stinky patient, I will pull the curtain and hide so I can give a soap and water bath.

The hospital also took away all razors from the bedside and gave us electric clippers that really don't do a nice face shave. :-\

[PSiLoveHeels]

I'm in a two year RN school now and we actually have our skills exam tomorrow on bed baths & linen changes. The instructors have put a lot of focus on the bed bath, especially combining the two and changing linens during/after the bath.

[breezy7, BSN, RN]

I learned baths (and was expected to bath my patients each day in clinicals - especially the first round). Also learned different bed making techniques, but don't really remember them. Usually the bed is either occupied during the change or I am flying through it in hopes of finishing before the patient gets back from the bathroom...

Exactly!

[delilas]

We most definitely were, but I can also say the students I work with today are, too.

My RN students are expected to bathe the patient, change the bed, and straighten their rooms, as well as all I/O tasks like cath emptying, as well as giving meds and doing assessments.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

Just wondering if learning how to give bed baths is still taught in today's RN nursing programs? Or has it gone the way of other nursing arts such as three different types of bed making and so forth?

Those type of nursing arts were required in my program. It's still taught.

As far as "wipes" The only wipes I use are the warm chlorahexadine wipes for pre-OP and central lines in critical care. I prevents CLABSI and other noscomials. Otherwise, we use towels soap and water in acute care. :)