activities of daily living problem

bluesky, BSN, RN · Oct 26, 2003

Originally posted by bluesky
Note to Mary...

ADLs in a nursing are sooo overwhleming you have no idea.

Sorry I meant "nursing home" not just "nursing". The edit button doesn't appear to be working!

cannoli · Oct 26, 2003

I worked a shift on a surgical floor the other night and didn't have to do any of that, but then there are times that you do have to.

If I had to do it again, knowing what I know now, I think I would become an ultrasound tech. Same amount of school, Associates Degree, better hours, cleaner, you don't have the responsibility and liability of a nurse, probably pays better.

You say you want a career in the medical field, well that's in the field.

I would seriously consider ultrasound tech.

Good luck.

duf · Oct 26, 2003

i believe that nursing, regardless of whatever speciality of nursing a person is in, means to care holistically for an individual. when i first started nursing, i didn't like the butt wiping, feeding, etc every much and thought my time would maybe be more beneficial used elsewhere.

my belief now has changed. Imagine if the patient was your mother, father, sister, etc, someone you really cared for...

do you think that helping them with their ADL'S would be such a chore. put yourself in the patient's shoes...?! if you need assistance wouldn't you like someone there to you help you when you possibly can't help yourself, instead of that person thinking that these tasks are beneath them ?????

think about it!!!

robynrn2b · Oct 27, 2003

I don't think the NICU would be a good place for manyquestions either. Many patients in there cannot open their mouths either, or talk to you. They certainly cant, "wipe their own butts." I am a LTC nurse. Do I enjoy, "wiping butts" heck no. But I enjoy helping someone who is unable to help themselves do these things. I feel sorry for them and am glad that I can help and care for them at a time when they need it the most. Isn't that what nursing is in any venue? Someday you might need your ass wiped--hope there is someone there to do it.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 27, 2003

Originally posted by passing thru
Many Questions: Carry on with your studies. Hopefully you will
meet some supportive teachers and co-students.
There isn't a nurse anywhere who hasn't ask herself your same exact questions and expressed the same repulsion at
cleaning up soiled patients.

Everyone wonders at the futility of it for those patients who "are not at home."

In the hospital, aides do the vast majority of daily hygiene.

Hospitals do recognize that R.N.'s are trained, educated, AND PAID to do more complex tasks,..........those very jobs you mentioned.

Don't give up on it. I have not cleaned a soiled patient in at least 2-3 years, do not do oral care, etc. We have adequate staff--nurse aides, patient care techs, etc., who do all that....

I do the kinds of things you said you want to do.

Don't pass on a good career because of superior/judgemental
opinions written here.

If they were honest, they would tell you that they too, said
eeeeeeeeeeeeWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWw!!!!
and thought
"I can't handle this!!!!!" more than once !!!!

Don't let negativity affect your life decisions !

Wanda, very good point. Of course when confronted with excrement the first response is "yuck". I nearly vomited on the first patient I cleaned up, with was rivers of loose stool.

His original question was "Can I work as a nurse and avoid spending a lot of time on activities of daily living?....."

I fail to see any arrogant superior/judgemental attitudes.

I honestly feel that it's very difficult to avoid ADLs as a nurse, especially those first few years.

The OP's statement "I really feel that my time (even untrained!) is too valuable to spend feeding a patient. " is no more arrogant the the responses given."

Being frank with the realities of nursing isn't arrogance and eating young.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 27, 2003

Sorry, didn't mean to say "his", as I don't know the sex of the original poster.

The answer to your original question of course is yes. It is possible to be a nurse and not have to deal with ADL's. But not until you've conquered ADL's in nursing school, in precepting, and as a new grad. It's hard to get those jobs without a little bit of experience. But there is a nursing shortage and we need good nurses.

If your dream is to become a nurse, I hope you didn't feel we were squashing your dream. But it sounds more like you are exploring your options here like nursing, radiology, etc. and gathering information.

As Wanda said above, don't ever give up your dream to become a nurse, if truly you feel you want to be a nurse that badly. You'll get used to the ADL part and then move on to want you dream of.

Good luck.

live4today, RN · Oct 27, 2003

Originally posted by 3rdShiftGuy
There was another thread about this very topic. Yes, you can be a nurse and never touch a patient.

But you can't avoid it in school, in clincals, or in any kind of hospital/long-term care facility.

My advice: Find another career. This is not a flame. There's no way you're going to make it. There are going to be times when there isn't going to be anyone but you to wipe that ass that needs wiping.

Spoken like a REAL nurse who knows nursing is NO JOKE! :)

gwenith, BSN, RN · Oct 27, 2003

I think Manyquestions the problem is that you see these task as "only" feeding a patient or cleaning them. There is no "only". Feeding a patient is not just shoveling food in their mouth it also entails assessment of the swallow/gag to ensure that no aspiration is occurring, stimulation of senses and socialization - a routine "lackey" job - no think again.

Cleaning poop - also entails assessment of the patient, the anal area the amount and type of bowel motion and again assists the patient. Is it a just a lackeys job - very much no!!

Nothing is straightforward and there are levels and levels of skill and knowledge to nursing. Do not dismiss the ADLS they are important complex and if you approach them correctly interesting and challenging area of nursing.

live4today, RN · Oct 27, 2003

Originally posted by passing thru
I have not cleaned a soiled patient in at least 2-3 years, do not do oral care, etc. We have adequate staff--nurse aides, patient care techs, etc., who do all that....

Hmmmmm...where is it that you work so I can apply for a job there? I've never worked at a place where I did not have to do those tasks for patients. :nurse:

passing thru · Oct 28, 2003

Third shift guy: Re: Post # 29

This week marks your 6 month anniversary for following me around the BB and critiquing my EVERY POST.

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 28, 2003

i do think anyone was being arrogant here. they are "keeping it real".........to the OP:

I honestly believe it would be good to really examine yourself deeply......search your soul and see if nursing REALLY is for you........

i think to be a nurse we need to have heart. and like the wise posters said above me, think wholistically regarding the care of our patients.

even in OB, we do at least our share of "buttwiping" and vomit-cleaning wiping, as well as wiping sweaty brows, massaging backs, feet and helping them bathe. I consider it part and parcel of what I do and while I don't enjoy it all the time, I truly consider it an honor and privelege to do those little things that make having a baby more pleasant, comfortable, and meaningful, as well as dignified, for each patient I care for. IF that means wiping away a HUGE bowel movement while a gal is pushing, so be it, I am glad to do that. It is NOT a "waste of MY valuable time" it is part of what I do for my patients!

jadednurse · Oct 28, 2003

Originally posted by passing thru
Third shift guy: Re: Post # 29

This week marks your 6 month anniversary for following me around the BB and critiquing my EVERY POST.

Let's try and keep to the discussion at hand please.