Anyone else feel dirty after Microbiology lab?

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I love Microbiology. It's fascinating, yet kinda scary/freaky. I'm quite freaked out by the things I've learned and seen with Staphylococcus aureus.

Well, I feel like I need like 10 showers after I leave Micro lab. Especially today because we were handling a lot of Staphylococci. I know I'm not touching these things with my hands or anything, and I wash and disinfect my hands constantly, but it still gives me the creeps.

I got home about 1 1/2 hours ago from Micro lab and took a shower. Now I started reviewing my notes and feel like I want another shower. :lol2:

Anyone else feel like they need a few showers after they leave Micro lab?

Glad I'm not the only one!!!

My eyelashes always get in the way :lol2: It's funny, but annoying. I have to hold my eyelashes up, which I'm sure looks quite attractive ;), and then my eyes get all dry while I'm staring into the microscope.

That must be funny! :D Yeah I'm glad I won't have to deal with microscopes EVER again! Yuck!

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I accidentally spilled E. coli all over my hand while in micro lab. It was gross, but didn't stop me from eating my sandwich when I got out of class (after thoroughly washing my hands, of course). I guess you have to get used to bacteria if you're going to work in a hospital...just learn to keep yourself safe by washing your hands well and before and after patient care.

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Specializes in Progressive, Intermediate Care, and Stepdown.

We use the pathogenic strains of all bacterias we study in our Micro class. I'm also a work-study in the Biology Department. Have you ever been on a public bus? train? plane? outside? All of the for mentioned scenarios have the bacteria you work with in class. So basically, one that sanitizes their hands after the lab is pretty much getting a false sense of security that he or she is clean. Me personally, I work with these bacterium on a regular basis without a lab coat, gloves, face mask, etc. Nope, I don't get the HeeBee JeeBees :D

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I don't find it that difficult, but I think it's really intriguing. I think it really just depends on your instructor. For the most part, it's easy. But the exams we take are not easy at all. I still have an "A" though and I've only got 3 weeks left.

Man, we handle 8 different bacteria every lab:

pseudomonas

Bacillus cereus

E.coli

Streptococcus pyogenes

Streptococcus vivideus

Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus epidermidis

Staphylococcus saprophyticus

It's really the S. aureus that really makes me want to swim in a pool of sanitizer, since it's virulent.

I'm trying to not become a germaphobe but when you see a colony of microbes destroy the heme on the blood agar plate, it kinda freaks you out. And to see it clot the blood plasma. Yuck. No wonder S. aureus is such a trouble maker.

I feel terrible too expecially since I love salad. We did a study on the microbes found in bag salad and I was grossed out!:eek: It really affects the way I eat now. However, I think that is the effect it's supposed to have on us to instill in a new nurse cleanliness, and always use personal protection equipment when working with patients.

I think that is the main objective to microbiology!! lol :idea::idea:

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Yes, I was so paranoid the whole course. Once the lab was finished I would be right in the shower as soon as I got home. I wouldn't pick up my daughter, pet my dog, touch food, nothing. I was so paranoid!! I didn't want to spread any germs I might of picked up. I know in hindsight this is probably ridiculous because I probably encounter more germs in a gym than I did in the lab. The teacher I had was extremely paranoid. I once asked her if anyone ever got sick from a micro lab and she replied, "no because I'm a freak about sterilizing."

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We use the pathogenic strains of all bacterias we study in our Micro class. I'm also a work-study in the Biology Department. Have you ever been on a public bus? train? plane? outside? All of the for mentioned scenarios have the bacteria you work with in class. So basically, one that sanitizes their hands after the lab is pretty much getting a false sense of security that he or she is clean. Me personally, I work with these bacterium on a regular basis without a lab coat, gloves, face mask, etc. Nope, I don't get the HeeBee JeeBees :D

Yes, yes. I'm aware of all of the bacteria that surround me. It just feels different when you're looking at it growing in front of your face. lol.

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That must be funny! :D Yeah I'm glad I won't have to deal with microscopes EVER again! Yuck!

Yes, for a second I thought I had found the bacteria on the slide, and thought it was moving, only to realize it was my eyelashes. :lol2:

Yes I can't wait to be done with the microscopes. :yelclap:

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I feel terrible too expecially since I love salad. We did a study on the microbes found in bag salad and I was grossed out!:eek: It really affects the way I eat now. However, I think that is the effect it's supposed to have on us to instill in a new nurse cleanliness, and always use personal protection equipment when working with patients.

I think that is the main objective to microbiology!! lol :idea::idea:

My hubby's a chef so he's pretty crazy on all of the food sanitizing procedures. We never buy bag salads either. There just seemed to be too many recalls on those. Though, to be honest, I don't think I'd ever want to swab and see the microbes on food. Although, it may control my appetite. Maybe I need to get a sample of some brownies and see if anything freaky is in there. Maybe it would help with that craving. ;)

I do think it should affect people in a way that they are careful about sanitizing and use protective gear. At least, that's what I hope the other people in the class learn.

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Specializes in cardiac-telemetry, hospice, ICU.

Sheeeeesh. I bet the average Micro lab is cleaner that most public places. The thing is, you can't see all the creapy crawlies all around us. I think it's kind of like the 'bullet you don't hear'. If micro lab creeped you out, don't go into a hospital! LOL

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Micro has made me VERY Germ-Conscious...drives my wife nuts though...I am now huge on disinfection.

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I loved micro and it didn't really worry me too much about the germs. Try not to spill and wash hands and life should be okay. Our instructor did talk about a student who had spilled something onto her purse. Apparently some of her make-up was contaminated and she didn't think about it before applying. She ended up with an infection on her face.

Clinicals make me want to jump into a vat of sanitizer. The germs aren't contained in little vials--they are there to jump all over you.

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Sheeeeesh. I bet the average Micro lab is cleaner that most public places. The thing is, you can't see all the creapy crawlies all around us. I think it's kind of like the 'bullet you don't hear'. If micro lab creeped you out, don't go into a hospital! LOL

I volunteer in the ED of a Level 1 Trauma Center. lol. But I do use my sanitizing lotion quite a bit.

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