The ugly side of Nursing

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Hello everyone,

I'm interested in nursing thanks to a motorcycle accident I was involved in, and the care I received turned me on to nursing. But I didn't post to talk about myself, I'm curious about something that sometimes concerns me, and I want some other opinions.

I'm asking about the ugly side of nursing, or the gore of the job. I'm fine with blood, and urine. It's the vomit, and feces that I'm worried about. Before I go on, I know the usual response to this, in which I have already started to apply for volunteering jobs in my local hospitals, etc. But I'm still curious, is this something that I should be concerned with? Or do you get used to the sight, more important, the smells of the job? I know not everyone was okay with it at first, anyone want to give insight? Tips? Or should I re-consider my carreer choice in nursing?

Thanks for your time, and answers!

Steven

Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

The smell is something that has worried me as well. I have had 4 kids so the look of poop or vomit doesn't get to me, but the smell does, sometimes I will start gagging from it not meaning to. (at home I am not in nursing school until August).

Anyway, after talking to many people I plan on carrying a tube of vicks on me to rub under my nose to help with the smell. I just have a very keen sense of smell.

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A few days ago I had to wipe a patient while she was pooping. it was horrible. I had to see sputum cups. I had to pour loose stool samples. Some stools have blood in it. I also had to take urine samples. I could go on and on. PM if you want more details. After clinical, I've had gone an entire day without eating because the mental pictures kept coming back in my mind and I kept feeling like I was smelling it throughout the entire day. Also ,I've seen pressure ulcers that were down to the bone getting packed. Nursing is a dirty job. I wish I could sugar coat it for you but I can't.

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Everybody's got their "thing" that gets to them. One nurse I work with can go wrist deep in a stage 4 sacral decube, but will absolutely turn green and hurl if she has to suction out a sputum sample. I can deal with all kinds of mucus, GI bleeds, puke, but if I have a burn pt, I have to keep hydrating myself because I'm going to have to throw up after I rebandage the pt. And I have a lovely collection of strong smelling bath gels, because I need to make sure I don't smell it on my hair or skin when I go to bed, or I'll be rebandaging the burn "all night" -- I'm a night shifter, so my "night" is daytime...

Heehe, thanks for the insight! I appreciate it.

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Vomit hasn't been an issue at all, but I've strained more than my share of poop this semester. I just hold my breath and get it done as quickly as possible. Yes, I gagged a time or two, but eventually got it under control. Some of my classmates carry a mask around with them smeared with chapstick or Vick's. I don't worry about it because that's not what nursing is to me. I don't even think about it, I just get it done. That's such a small part of the entire experience that it doesn't stress me out or get in my way. There are so many options in nursing today that once through school, you could do anything you want. I personally love the whole experience, blood, gore, and all!

Right on, I have heard about the Vick's trick before, or the wintergreen breath drops on your mask. Anyways, thanks for your reply! I'm not too concerned about this anymore now. :cool:

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A few days ago I had to wipe a patient while she was pooping. it was horrible. I had to see sputum cups. I had to pour loose stool samples. Some stools have blood in it. I also had to take urine samples. I could go on and on. PM if you want more details. After clinical, I've had gone an entire day without eating because the mental pictures kept coming back in my mind and I kept feeling like I was smelling it throughout the entire day. Also ,I've seen pressure ulcers that were down to the bone getting packed. Nursing is a dirty job. I wish I could sugar coat it for you but I can't.

Is this a PM? I'm not sure how to do them...so sorry if this isn't.

You're getting used to the sights, and smells, right? Or is it still tough on you? Hope clinicals are going well, good luck!

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I don't start ns till the fall so I cannot provide any input. What I do wanna say is that I too was involved in a motorcycle wreck and that's what made nursing. I received the most compassionate care and the accident really made me wanna give something back. I was even on crutches for the first 6 months of my pre req's. I also had a picc line for 2 months of that. Its been hard but I'm making it. Good luck 2 you

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Cleaning up poop will be as easy as tying your shoelaces, and honestly, I really don't do it too often.

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