cons in clinicals

Nursing Students General Students

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what are some of the nasty stuff you guys have to do in the clinicals? ive heard some nasty things that nurses and nursing students ahve to do so im just getting ready for the worst.

If you are going into the nursing field at all, you need to lose that kind of attitude!!! I do not mean that to sound harsh, I just know that if you go into it with that attitude, you will never make it. I have seen it happen to too many nurses.

I dont have a attitude about it, i am fully prepared for nursing and all the stuff that comes with it. I havent experienced any of that stuff yet thats why im asking.

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Wet-to-dry dressing change on a Stage IV sacral decub, also had to do a wound culture on the thing because it REEKED so bad they were sure it was infected. The smell is what got to me. Even my instructor had a look of disgust on her face, it was horrible. Poking that cotton swab around in there wasn't too nice either, it was hard as a rock! Gave me the chills. I'm glad I had my mint in my mouth! :chuckle

By the way, hi again everyone! Haven't been on here in a while. This semester is killing me... but it's almost over.. Hope everyone is doing well.

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Specializes in ER.

One of the students in my group got assigned a client with a gangrenous foot, and when we were discussing the dressing change in pre-conference the instructor told him to be prepared for the idea that the toe may fall off. For some reason that gave me the major giggles, because what exactly do you DO in that situation?

"Whoopsie, sorry about that, your toe just fell off. Let me just pop this in the waste basket and we'll continue."

Man, I love learning to be a nurse!

I agree with KittyKat that C-Diff poop does have a very "distinct" odor. :chuckle

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A trach with maggots? :uhoh21:

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Specializes in Child/Adolescent Mental Health.
A trach with maggots? :uhoh21:

Okay....that's a winner :rolleyes:

mona

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One of the students in my group got assigned a client with a gangrenous foot, and when we were discussing the dressing change in pre-conference the instructor told him to be prepared for the idea that the toe may fall off.

ok, so i actually got nauseous visualizing that. lol.

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I've seen so many disgusting things during clinicals that now I don't even bat an eye anymore. One tends to get used to these odors and scenes after a while.

However, to the student who said he or she is going to become a CRNA and does not have to deal with these things, you might want to think about that some more. First of all a CRNA is still a registered nurse, and you don't become a registered nurse until after you demonstrate the competency to deliver professional care to any patient, regardless of the patient's alterations. You'll need experience in critical care before you can be accepted into any CRNA program, and you need to have a solid med surg base before you can become a good critical care nurse. Med-surg nursing is not just about changing nasty dressings, passing bed pans, and giving meds. Its about total patient care, and I can't think of a better place for a newbie nurse to get his/her feet wet.

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A trach with maggots? :uhoh21:

wow! and here i was thinking i can handle most gross bodily functions if need be .....but MAGGOTS! y'all i don't know :o , how do you keep the patient from seeing you jump at the sight of bugs in their trach? i am getting the shivers just thinking about this! :imbar

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Just remember that maggots are a GOOD thing! Nature's original debrider.

They're actually using maggots in Europe for medicinal purposes for that very reason. It's a VERY effective way to debride.

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Specializes in ER, CCU, LTAC.

Can you tell me how the maggots got in there, and was this person almost deceased at the time the maggots were found!!!!:o

A trach with maggots? :uhoh21:
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Specializes in CCRN.

Okay, call me crazy, but I am looking forward to all of this. Not that I like gross stuff or like to see others suffer, but I am so interested in the whole biological/physiological aspect of human life. Are we not amazing or what? And to have the knowledge, skills and fortitude to help those in need.....WOW. I am hoping to start my nursing program this summer (waiting for the letter to arrive any day) and will do so without blinders on. I originally hated my time spent of nurse aide training in LTC, but decided to "grab the bull by the horns" and took a job at a nursing home. The residents taught me sooooo much! How to relate to stroke victims, bipolar and delusional residents, alzheimers patients, those without any family to speak of. To see them laugh when we brought snow into the building for them to enjoy, or their faces light up when an aide they were fond of was working. Yes, there were a lot of depends to change, bedpans to clean, and other necessary unpleasant moments, but the wonderful moments of human to human contact more than makes up for all of that. Never forget.....there, but for the grace of God, go I.

Love this web page!

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I don't find purulent draining wounds, vomitus, BM, or blood to be nauseating.

As a nurse, what I find nauseating and disgusting are the unreasonable work loads, and poor working conditions.

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