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.
I remember being paired up with a guy nursing student last semester and we had to change an elderly patients diaper. he was like "this should be easy for you, you have kids". Trust me, changing an infants diaper is no way near the same as changing a grown man's diaper!
I remember being paired up with a guy nursing student last semester and we had to change an elderly patients diaper. he was like "this should be easy for you, you have kids". Trust me, changing an infants diaper is no way near the same as changing a grown man's diaper!
i agree with that completely! its so different bathing and changing elderly patients as compared to children lol
I have to admit this freaks me the heck out. And I am hoping you all could answer a few questions for me? Sorry if they sound ignorant :) just starting out my pre reqs
1-Bed bath do you actually wash private parts? Can someone kind of go through what this is like or what the procedure is like?
2-When you have to wipe is it really that gross? I cant imagine what wiping a grown mans behind with poop is like? Sorry just being honest. I am sure with time it become second nature?
3-Dentures???? What is that about?
4-Isnt most of this stuff done by CNA's unless the hospital is understaffed or in special cases? I understand we have to learn to do this and do it right and with compassion when it needs to be done but how much of this do you really do? Do most hospitals have CNA's for the bulk of this type of work?
I agree with some of the other posters, you will be fine. I am in my second semester and I learned how to do it in lab but I still haven't done in on a real patient because the floor I am on the patient's can all do it themselves and get a little offended if you even mention it.
I've given a couple of bed baths, and they were with it enough to wash their own peri area. Always ask if they want to wash their own private areas. If they are confused or demented, then that would be another story. I haven't had that problem.
I have to admit this freaks me the heck out. And I am hoping you all could answer a few questions for me? Sorry if they sound ignorant :) just starting out my pre reqs
1-Bed bath do you actually wash private parts? Can someone kind of go through what this is like or what the procedure is like?
2-When you have to wipe is it really that gross? I cant imagine what wiping a grown mans behind with poop is like? Sorry just being honest. I am sure with time it become second nature?
3-Dentures???? What is that about?
4-Isnt most of this stuff done by CNA's unless the hospital is understaffed or in special cases? I understand we have to learn to do this and do it right and with compassion when it needs to be done but how much of this do you really do? Do most hospitals have CNA's for the bulk of this type of work?
thanks so much everyone!
normally CNA's do this work, but i can almost garantee you will be doing all AM care for you patient(s) at least for the first semester of clinicals. And from my experience there have only been 2 CNAs per unit of about 15-25 patients, so if you have any freetime to help them out with these things it is MUCH appreciated.
and yes, its gross, and the smell will stay with you for a while, but after a while you will get used to it.
you will be cleaning dentures too.. you brush them kind of like normal teeth, but they just arent in the mouth yet.. and you dont use toothpaste. lol.
I was nervous about this as well as I have no prior health care experience. I had my first clinical today and changed beds, gave baths, helped to change adult diapers, and wiped poo...it gets pretty old, pretty quickly. Trust me, after the first one, you'll be wondering why you were ever nervous in the first place.
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.
Back rubs at HS used to be a standard part of nursing care in hospitals, and basic massage techniques were a standard part of nursing education. Unfortunately, eliminating nightly back rubs is part of the massive cost- and corner-cutting that has gone on in healthcare over the last couple decades. I started my career in a larger general hospital (one in which we took great pride in offering the best care possible) where every client, regardless of what they were in the hospital for, was offered a full back massage at bedtime every night (unless, of course, there was some reason why it was medically contraindicated). If you've been stuck in bed all day (for however many days), it really feels good, is v. relaxing, and, most importantly (and the real reason why it was done), is v. good for the circulation and skin.
normally CNA's do this work, but i can almost garantee you will be doing all AM care for you patient(s) at least for the first semester of clinicals. And from my experience there have only been 2 CNAs per unit of about 15-25 patients, so if you have any freetime to help them out with these things it is MUCH appreciated.
and yes, its gross, and the smell will stay with you for a while, but after a while you will get used to it.
you will be cleaning dentures too.. you brush them kind of like normal teeth, but they just arent in the mouth yet.. and you dont use toothpaste. lol.
Thank you very much for your honesty and for not judging
Nurse Connie
244 Posts
I remember being paired up with a guy nursing student last semester and we had to change an elderly patients diaper. he was like "this should be easy for you, you have kids". Trust me, changing an infants diaper is no way near the same as changing a grown man's diaper!