role(s) of RN in Ontario

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A few questions... I have looked around the forums but I want to ask specifically about Ontario/Canada. I've heard people say that they got 'suckered' into nursing and the reality is you have to clean peoples messes (of different kinds) regularly. I've also heard people say they rarely have to do it as a RN (BSN).

For those who have an aversion to poop, and cleaning up after people, what roles or careers as an RN have minimal exposure to fecis and cleaning patients ? Operating room ? Cardiac ? Flight nursing ? How easy is it to specialise like this ?

In Ontario are RN's the grunts dealing with bedpans etc.. in hospitals? What are the realities of this?

For those interested in a career that has more to do with diagnoses, treatment, and science is RN a good way to go or not?

I'm sure when I start attending school I will have to deal with cleaning up more then once... which I dont mind, but I would like to move myself away from it once ive graduated if possible.

need educated responses asap! :)

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There is poop in the OR, in L&D, dialysis, cardiac patients can accidents too. I imagine if you are a flight nurse/medic if there is poop in the air, you clean it as well.

The important thing to remember is the dignity of the patient. Nobody wants to be that dependent on another human being.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

In my workplace everyone has their own pts and every one deals with poop, even the RNs. Part of the job.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Med-Surg..

My aunt is an oncology RN and has been for twenty years and yes they clean up poop there too. She recently told me that she finds it frustrating that some of the new grads expect oncology to be an area with no grubby work.

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I completey understand it being part of the job, just looking for some educated opinions about my questions.

Keep em coming!

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If you work in long term care , you wont clean up poop. there are PSWs who do that .

A few questions... I have looked around the forums but I want to ask specifically about Ontario/Canada. I've heard people say that they got 'suckered' into nursing and the reality is you have to clean peoples messes (of different kinds) regularly. I've also heard people say they rarely have to do it as a RN (BSN).

For those who have an aversion to poop, and cleaning up after people, what roles or careers as an RN have minimal exposure to fecis and cleaning patients ? Operating room ? Cardiac ? Flight nursing ? How easy is it to specialise like this ?

In Ontario are RN's the grunts dealing with bedpans etc.. in hospitals? What are the realities of this?

For those interested in a career that has more to do with diagnoses, treatment, and science is RN a good way to go or not?

I'm sure when I start attending school I will have to deal with cleaning up more then once... which I dont mind, but I would like to move myself away from it once ive graduated if possible.

need educated responses asap! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
If you work in long term care , you wont clean up poop. there are PSWs who do that .

I would still roll up my sleeves and work.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Even in LTC nurses have to be ready to clean up any mess. You will have a hard time as a nurse if you think that cleaning up is "someone else's job"

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If you work in long term care , you wont clean up poop. there are PSWs who do that .

I hope no member of my family winds up in your facilities care.

Back when I worked LTC, who found the poop cleaned the poop. Managers included. Usually the aides would take over, BUT you could tell which nurses they didn't like because they would all suddenly be busy when nurses with that attitude discovered a code brown.

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any more positive objective input on the original questions would be great, I dont want this to turn into poop wars!

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Your question was about poop, or avoidance of such. I don't think you really want to be a nurse.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

In Ontario are RN's the grunts dealing with bedpans etc..

Elimination is an important part of pt care not "grunt" work.No nurse is "above" doing any aspect of pt care. I work with degree nurses and they toilet pts same as everyone else.

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