What type of gross things do registered nurses have to do?

Students Pre-Nursing

Published

You are reading page 2 of What type of gross things do registered nurses have to do?

JustBeachyNurse, LPN

13,952 Posts

Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

You won't necessarily get away from body fluids in any healthcare job. You are less likely to see dead bodies in ultrasound. But you may see vomit, etc say if doing an U/S on a patient with an acute gallbladder attack who gets nauseas from the gallstones and pain.

LoveMyBoxer99

35 Posts

Specializes in Psych, Hosp, and LTC.

Definitely think about this. As a nurse, even if I have CNA's that usually take care of those tasks, I CHOOSE to help take care of them as well. Personally I believe that if a patient in need cannot trust me to take care of their MOST BASIC needs, the I have no business taking care of the more complex needs like meds, treatments, etc.

Neisha_

23 Posts

I agree! But I would prefer vomit or body fluids over dead bodies. Thank you for your time.

Neisha_

23 Posts

I totally agree, & appreciate your insight.

DawnJ

312 Posts

And most healthcare fields require anatomy and physiology classes as pre-reqs. At my community college, that meant a year in the cadaver lab. Really, after the smell of decay and preservative, a fresh body is nothing in comparison.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN

1 Article; 20,908 Posts

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Yes, I am a 16 year old senior in high schol (graduating pretty early), and I was planning on going to my local community college to obtain an Associates Degree in Nursing;

But i am having 2nd thoughts considering that NURSES have to perform tasks such as cleaning poop and dealing with dead bodies.

I graduated young myself...I was an RN at 18....they don't really do that anymore...you might find your age a disadvantage. The programs might let you in but the facilities may not allow you clinical so I would check into that.

Unfortunately nurses get expoexed to all kinds of disgusting body fluids and a few are flung at us. Vomit, spit, blood, urine, stool, amongst other bodily secretions.

You deal with death and dead bodies no matter what unit you work. Patient still need care after they have died to prepare them for family visitation and post mortem (after death care) to prepare them for the morgue. As you get older you might find these task less...repulsive.

I wish you the best!

Neisha_

23 Posts

Thank you so much!

Unfortunately, yes. It's a given. CNA's call out, or need help, or sometimes there is just no one else there to do it. Some nights I wipe more butts than others, and some nights I don't wipe any butts at all....but one never knows. And then you have colostomy patients....to be honest, the only thing that REALLY grosses me out these days is trach care, suctioning, anything respiratory.

krwrnbsn

77 Posts

I have seen and touched things that I never thought I would. No joke! I also thought that I wouldn't be able to handle some of the "less desirable" things that I knew nurses have to deal with. But frankly not much bothers me anymore. So you may be able to get past it just as I have. Best wishes!

Neisha_

23 Posts

Thank you!

julz68

467 Posts

Yes, I am very mature for my age, there are just some things that my stomach can not bear. Therefore, I am looking into some Ultrasound Technician Programs around my town.

Thanks for your response!

My daughter thought about going into nursing until I told her that it's not just passing meds and that she would have to deal with other things that aren't so pleasant. She opted to go into radiology instead. That might be a good choice for you as well. :)

Neisha_

23 Posts

Omg, your comments are so helpful. I appreciate it, and is it easy to find a job in radiology after graduation?

+ Add a Comment