Anyone else never given a bath?

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Specializes in None.

NS started on Monday and yesterday we were discussing what to expect at clinicals, etc. I think there are a lot more of us in class that are somewhat experienced than not. I think there are maybe 8 of us who have no experience what so ever.

I've never given a bath, wiped a butt, cleaned up vomit or used a bed pan on anyone I didn't know. I've changed my kids diapers, given them a bath, etc. But that's a far cry from doing it on an adult that I've never met!

Honestly, I'm kind of freaked out by it at the moment. And I don't know if I'm more freaked out for myself or my patient! LOL I think once I do it once, I'll be fine. It's just that pre-task anxiety.

Anyone else experiencing this?

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Just grab a patient care assistant or whatever they call them at the place you're at and offer to help with all of those tasks. It only takes once and you'll get it. Don't worry about this. :) You'll be fine.

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Specializes in Cardiology.

You'll be fine. I had never even changed a child's diaper when I started as a CNA years ago. It takes some getting used to, but if you go in prepared to be clinical yet compassionate and give the patient the dignity that you would want in the same situation, you will be perfectly fine. Promise!

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First, take a deep breath. Trust me you will get to expereince all of this once school starts and your in clinical.

I was like you when I start NS last year. Never wiped a butt, except for my daughters. Or giving a bed bath...

Well they teach you how to properly do this and many other "lovely" body cleansing jobs. Wait until the dentures... :)

Its all good, I understand you are nerve but you will be fine. They prepare you and you'll never forget your first one... the rest just meld together as a blur.

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Specializes in SNU/SNF/MedSurg, SPCU Ortho/Neuro/Spine.

I was so nervous too... my first bath, my first foley catheter, my first tracheostomy, ostomy bag, injection, IV...

I would even dream with it!

LOL it all comes in naturally when you get your hands on it!

just do as if you were doing it on your mother! or your father! that is what I thought in order to do a good job, do it professionaly and do it right!

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I think this is why my LPN program started requiring a CNA license to apply! It's overwhelming at first, to do this safely/competently, but you'll get the hang of it quickly. I did some CNA work, and I would have been thrilled if a student nurse/LPN wanted me to show them how to do this kind of thing...I think that's a good suggestion-ask a CNA to *teach* you (not *do* it for you!).

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I have that concern too. I want to them as clean as possible and don't know yet how in depth we are supposed to go. Also if were me on the on other side then I would feel some embarassment at having someone perform. I just don't want to cause any of my patients ot feel uncomfortable or embarassed by what I have to do for them. I'll find out how it goes soon enough!!

Me :nurse:

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Specializes in PICU/NICU/ER.

Yep, I can easily say that this is one anxiety-laden subjects for me too! I got my CNA licence many moons ago in high school and don't remember doing baths, but I know I must have! I am nervous too. I'm also nervous about IV's, catheters and the simple math that goes along with learning to pass meds. School starts in one week...I need to get it together lol!

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I was extremely anxious the first time that I had to give a bed bath to a patient. It was a male patient and I had to summon the courage to just do it, because he couldn't help me. I had never seen a man naked before, so it was a bit awkward just to undress him! Most of the other nursing students in my group were older and were CNA's. I didn't want to let my patient down, so I just tried to remember what I had read in my textbook about preventing drafts and not using soap on the patient's face. In hindsight, it was a hilarious moment. But when I was in the moment, I was absolutely petrified!

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I've never done any of this either, but since we got our assignments that are due the first day of class, I have been watching Mosby's nursing video skills. You know, the thought of giving someone a bed bath doesn't bother me as much as giving some hot guy a back massage (including the gluteals) LMAO. Sorry, do any nurses actually give back massages??? I have to say I've never been offered one before. In fact, most of this stuff on these nursing videos I've NEVER had a nurse do LOL.

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LMAO. Sorry, do any nurses actually give back massages???.

Yep, after my mom had surgery she was a little wobble and concerned with walking and the nurse told her that if she walking a little bit down the hall, she would get a back rub when they got back. My mom appreciated it b/c sitting all day in those hospital beds killed her back.

Me :nurse:

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the first bed bath i gave was really nerve wracking! when you learn bed baths in school, you think "hey, this cant be that hard!" its not that its even hard though, its just awkward. before that i had never given a bath to anyone else except myself, and giving one to an elderly patient is a different experience. now i feel like a pro, but the first time was scary lol

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