Need an honest answer here r/g clinicals...

Jules Anne · Oct 2, 2007

I think almost everyone has some aspect of nursing that grosses them out. For me, it's mucus. But it's something that you will learn to deal with. A summer internship in ICU with vent dependent patients helped me get over the mucus thing. It still grosses me out but I can get through it without gagging now. It helps me to remember that the patient would most likely not need to be suctioned, have their poop cleaned up, etc. Keeping this in mind makes me want to act as nonchalantly about it as possible to help them not to feel embarassed.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Oct 2, 2007

am hoping the "nursing fairy" comes and sprinkles some pixie dust on me to help me get over it.
............................
...it's just this "mind" thing that I just want to badly to get past.

You will. The Nursing Fairy favors those with experience. The pixie dust is exposure.

:)

mickeyfan · Oct 2, 2007

It just depends. I had a patient today, (first day of clinicals) in a hospital with an ostemy bag. It was tough, but I really learned a lot. There was a strong odor with emptying the bag, but that is part of nursing school. I don't think that there is any way around poop in the nursing field. It is an everyday part of life!!!

SarasotaRN2b · Oct 2, 2007

I used to feel the same...and then my mom entered the hospital with colon and ovarian cancer (thank God, she is fine now!). I may be repeating myself because I mentioned this before, but this made me more aware of how this very independent lady now found herself having to call for assistance to go to the bathroom and to be cleaned up. I know that my patients are going to be someone's mother, father, sister, brother, child, etc. You need to get your mind off of your discomfort and think of your patient. IMO the best thing to do is to help your fellow nurses when they have a patient that needs clean up assistance. One it goes faster, and two, you will find staff more willing to help you when it is one of your own patients.

Kris

prinsessa · Oct 3, 2007

You will see a lot of poop in a hospital. Most of our patients are elderly. The hardest part is trying to move them around so you are able to clean all the poop. I am used to cleaning poopy children and they are easy to move. I don't mind doing it for a little while, but i don't think it is something I could do for the rest of my life. I don't know how the PCTs do it for so long. I have to give it to them....it takes a lot to do that job!

tigermum · Oct 3, 2007

...and please no one flame me for asking this question :)
I start my clinical rotations in 2 weeks at a hospital. I found out today that we have the option of doing all of our clinical rotations at a hospital vs a couple of nursing homes that are in the area.
We watched videos on colostomy bags, enemas, etc. I have to be honest in saying, I just about couldn't look at the video.
I was wondering, REALISTICALLY, how much of this do you deal these in the hospitals during your training? I know it's an extremely common thing in nursing homes (one of the reasons I picked the hospital).
I know that some of you are thinking, "Lord, then why did she sign up for nursing school?"...it's b/c I want to work with neonates, but I know I have to get through this part and not only do I have to get through it, but to make sure the client is comfortable, that his/her needs are being fully met.
I am mature enough to just "get in there and do it", but I was just wondering how much you have to deal with it.
I have no issues with urine...it's the poop thing that is going to "get me".

hi I have been in nursing for over 5 years and it is hard I always say if you have the heart to do it you wll, you can teach a person skill, but you cannot give them the heart to do it. you will be fine even today i cannot handle vomit, thats one thing I am working on good luck

tigermum

deeDawntee, RN · Oct 3, 2007

Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do to get where you want to be. We have been raised thinking BM is nasty, disgusting and dirty when in fact every living, breathing being on this planet that eats also eliminates what it eats. I don't suppose that makes it any easier, but if you start thinking of it as natural, normal and necessary...it becomes just another duty...and less disgusting.

Just get through it...laugh about it, if you can (outside the earshot of patients, of course) and when you are a nurse go work with those babies whose elimination does not bother you!!

You CAN do it!! I promise. When we are taking care of patients, that mothering, caring instinct does take over and you will be amazed what you can tolerate.

karenrnstudent · Oct 8, 2007

I just had my first weekend of clinicals and there was a lot of cleaning poop! It smelled really bad but I got through it. Much easier than I thought it would be! It's like changing a big baby. I really should try to force yourself to watch the videos to get over the culture shock.

ZooMommyRN, ADN, RN · Oct 9, 2007

My very first patient ever had an ostomy, you'll find that most patients unless they are new to it, will be very open to teaching you all about it, you get wrapped up in the learning process and maintaining professionalism that before you know it your done, the only concern I remember having was snapping the bag on, I thought for sure I was going to hurt her, it was like having a tupperware lid glued to her side, but we had an inservice a few weeks ago about a new set up and wow! gotta say I like it and wish the next clinical site used it, so much easier for both the patien and nurse, I always thought poop would be my kryptonite but so far it hasn't been lol

luvmy3kids · Oct 10, 2007

Hopefull,

Glad to see ya here! I just wanted to say, I know how you feel because I'm in the same boat. In no way are you stating that you are "above" it or that you didn't realize that nursing involves it.

But to get to the babies, unfortunately, we gotta get through the $#*@ (poop) LOL. I have a feeling once you are in the situation, things will take on a world of their own and you will just do what you have to do and get it done!!

Good luck!

Jennifer

Megsd, BSN, RN · Oct 10, 2007

Before I started nursing school I worked in a nursing home. I had a patient with an ostomy, but she was allergic to the adhesive from the bags, so they simply secured it with a couple of 4x4 gauze and lots of tape. I had to be VERY vigilant about her ostomy care because there was nowhere for the feces to go except out the sides of the taped gauze!

After dealing with that for a year, I don't mind colostomies at all because everything is secured in its little baggy. :)

And as the others said, as you get more used to dealing with these things, they should bother you less and less. I am honestly more grossed out by baby BM because at least in newborns, it's a weird color/consistency (I don't have kids). At least with adults it generally looks "normal".

jla623 · Oct 10, 2007

I feel exactly the same way....I don't mind urine or vomit, but when it comes to poop.....I want nothing to do with it! I hope to avoid it as much as possible. In fact, I will most likely base the job I get by the amount of poop I will encounter! haha.