Be a nurse or not?! HELP ME PLEASE!

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I'm 20 and I'm torn! I want to be a dietitian because that's my passion but Dietitcs and Nursing have similar classes. But A BIG BUT, nursing pays alot more. =( I really am stuck, im not sure what to do. My only problem about nursing is, I dont want to clean people's fecal matter lol ewa. So a question to the nurses, how often do you guys change adult diapers and deal with that kind of stuff? I am thinking of maybe specializing in the surgical area. I do not mind blood at all, what bothers me thought is well, poop! And vomit. Like cleaning it up. Do you guys do that ALOT? Are CNA's there to help you??

My cousin's a nurse who tells me all these digusting stories. On the other hand, one of my uncle, who is also a nurse. I think he's a surgical nurse or work's as a surgical nurse tells me he does not do anything like diaper changing. So, do different nurses deal with different level's of poop and vomit clean up? I know I want to be in the medical field. And seeing nasty things are normal, but I just don't want to be a janitor. I'm thinking about transfering to UIC, ( University of Illinois at Chicago) ISU (Illinois state university) Or loyola. I am from Illinois. If any one from there knows a good university please include that as well. What else can you advise? Is it a rewarding career.

How much do get paid? What was your starting? When did you start? Where do you work ( states locations) What are your benefits? How much do you work? Hours and days? What is you day like? Your responsiblities?? Do you like your job? Why? Please no general answers. I answers specific to you. Because I know the "general answers"

I am currently a dental assistant, and a full time student at a community college with really good drades. But just confused. Any info is going to be GREATly appreciated =)

THANK YOU 4 TAKING THE TIME!!!

Specializes in PICU, ICU, Hospice, Mgmt, DON.

Geezzzz, after reading some of these...I just want to say...about the "I have a weak stomach and can't help myself" posts...GET OVER YOURSELVES....you will be exposed to all kinds of smells and sights on a daily basis in this profession....so either put up or SHUT UP and do not become a nurse....the rewards far outweigh the liabilities...so just go work at Walmart or something and stop posting here and expecting us to try to talk you into our profession...of which we are very defensive and PROUD!!!!

I'm 20 and I'm torn! I want to be a dietitian because that's my passion but Dietitcs and Nursing have similar classes. But A BIG BUT, nursing pays alot more. =( I really am stuck, im not sure what to do. My only problem about nursing is, I dont want to clean people's fecal matter lol ewa. So a question to the nurses, how often do you guys change adult diapers and deal with that kind of stuff? I am thinking of maybe specializing in the surgical area. I do not mind blood at all, what bothers me thought is well, poop! And vomit. Like cleaning it up. Do you guys do that ALOT? Are CNA's there to help you??

My cousin's a nurse who tells me all these digusting stories. On the other hand, one of my uncle, who is also a nurse. I think he's a surgical nurse or work's as a surgical nurse tells me he does not do anything like diaper changing. So, do different nurses deal with different level's of poop and vomit clean up? I know I want to be in the medical field. And seeing nasty things are normal, but I just don't want to be a janitor. I'm thinking about transfering to UIC, ( University of Illinois at Chicago) ISU (Illinois state university) Or loyola. I am from Illinois. If any one from there knows a good university please include that as well. What else can you advise? Is it a rewarding career.

How much do get paid? What was your starting? When did you start? Where do you work ( states locations) What are your benefits? How much do you work? Hours and days? What is you day like? Your responsiblities?? Do you like your job? Why? Please no general answers. I answers specific to you. Because I know the "general answers"

I am currently a dental assistant, and a full time student at a community college with really good drades. But just confused. Any info is going to be GREATly appreciated =)

THANK YOU 4 TAKING THE TIME!!!

What do you like about nursing? What about nursing interests you? Is salary the only thing that draws you to nursing? If so, then I would say don't do nursing. Having said that, I am not one of those people that think salary should be the last thing you should think about. Nurses have families and financial responsibilities just like everyone else. HOWEVER, your paycheck cannot be the only satisfaction you get from your job. No matter the chosen profession. My previous career was in the legal field and I worked with attorneys that made 6 figures but were miserable. They chose law because it paid well but hated their jobs. No matter what you do, you've got to get some internal satisfaction.

I'm not gonna come down hard on you regarding your aversion to body fluids. I was also a bit squeamish when I started nursing school, however as time goes on, you kinda just get used to it. Its funny because in those moments, the only thing on my mind is that patient needs help. I'm not thinking about how nasty this stuff is. All I see is someone that needs my help. I'm not the only one in my nursing class that started with the same feelings so you are not alone with the feelings you have regarding poop,pee etc. HOWEVER, I have not heard anything in your post that indicates that you have a love for nursing in any way or highly drawn to an area of nursing. Ask yourself what attracts you to nursing. If salary is the only thing, then maybe its not for you. Nursing school is tough. If you are not highly motivated, striving for something that really means a great deal, you may not make it through a rigorous nursing program. After all, there are other professions that pay well that don't require trial by fire like nursing school. LOL!

Ask yourself what you really like about nursing. I knew the only thing I wanted to do in nursing is Psych and Addictions. I didn't have a great interest in all the other aspects but I know they have to go hand in hand. Psych and Addiction patients have medical issues so I know I have to be competent in those areas even if I work Psych. My point is, if you can't really identify something about nursing that you are passionate or care deeply about, then I would say that nursing may not be for you. You are about the same age as my son. I will tell you what I recently told him. Do what you love, be willing to work hard and fight for what you want and things will be fine. Don't settle for something just because its safe. Good luck!

I would much rather deal with poop and vomit than deal with what's inside people's mouths.

Not sure if you are buying into the whole nursing shortage myth where nurses earn buckets of money, have their pick of jobs, never have to work weekends or holidays, and can call their own shots professionally and on the job. None of that is true.

You will, at least in school and when you start out, be up to your earlobes in body fluids, you will not have your pick of on-the-job experiences, you will be required to pick up the shifts that no one wants, and you will not be making nearly as much money as you think you'll be making.

On another note, is this post for real?

Specializes in Peds Medical Floor.

Just wanted to say I find the inside of ppl's mouths disgusting too lol.

No one, nurses included, likes cleaning up poop. But fortunately lots of people, you included, can get used to it so it doesn't seem so bad. We all (even nurses) are opposed to things like poop because that is how we naturally keep ourselves safe. If you didn't think that poop was gross, something would be wrong.

I think you would be a great nurse. Don't be afraid...go for it!

To the OP,

After trying to read your personality from your posts I'm going to advise against going into nursing.

As someone else pointed out, all the drudgery and body fluids you mentioned associated with dental hygiene are just magnified in nursing. In nursing you WILL deal with fluids.

So, ask yourself: How well do you handle stress? Can you take being barked at without taking it personally? Are you willing to question a physician about his orders for a patient? Can you deal with angry, sad, depressed, patients? Can you stay on your feet an entire shift without a break?(and lunch is something you do on your days off). How about holidays and weekends? How do you react in a crisis? Can you put anything resembling a personal life on hold while in school? Are you willing to relocate after graduation for a job?(In today's economy, this has a high probability). And let me repeat the first one, how well do you handle stress?

Something like 40% of new nurses quit the profession after the first year. And this is not a reflection on their work ethic or desire to help people. It is rather, a statement as to the nature of the work.

Most of the nurses I've known have a love-hate relationship for the job. We love (really, honest) our patients and the fact that we provide the best care we can for them. We are not, however, too thrilled with the short staffing, paperwork, and overworking part of the job. And believe it or not, there have been nights when I'd have preferred cleaning poo to some of the things I've encountered.

If you are truly interested in something in the healthcare arena, I would suggest one of the therapies; PT, OT, ST. You get regular hours, the pay isn't bad, and if you do your job well you can truly enhance the quality of patient's lives.

You're young yet, expand your horizon, talk with other professionals and NEVER choose a career solely for the money. Remember,"Do what you love, the money will follow."

Specializes in Medical Surgical-Oncology.

I advise you to become a dietian. You will not earn a good salary but at least you will have peace of mind. Nurses clean up and deal with a lot of poop, vomit, salvia, blood, death, and sometimes abuse from patients and their families. CNA's help nurses and do clean up patients and residents for the most part but they hate it when nurses don't help them. And they will be very upset and frustrated if you make them do everything. This will cause future drama in your life and you don't want that. As a dietian you can always work for a hospital, nursing home, or even for the government. They don't get paid a good salary but maybe with experience you'll be able to work your way up.....and you will also be happier. Nursing is not for everyone and it doesn't make you a bad person if you feel disgusted cleaning bodily fluids,. It just means its not for you. I have seen CNAS and Nurses gagging and vomiting in front of patients b/c they are disgusted from cleaning bodily fluids. But this only upsets the patients and their families. Listen to your heart.

Specializes in OR Circulator - Neurosurgery.

1. you will get used to the blood, poop, and mucus.

2. you will be under-appreciated and overworked.

3. you will have to get used to filling out paperwork all the time.

4. YOU WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE PEOPLE'S LIVES EVERYDAY.

Nursing is a calling, if you heart says "no" find another way to make a change in the world. :twocents:

OMG, really? You would be the type of nurse other nurses would strangle. Do not go into nursing. Your pts wouldn't approve.

Hi rksgray13! I was just recently accepted into Northwest RN program and I was wondering if you had any insight and advice for me!

please stay were you are at,i can tell even if you went to nursing school and passed it with your eyes close ,you will never be a nurse,,might have a paper that says RN, BUT YOU WILL NEVER BE A NURSE,,SORRY,,,Been one for 19yrs.it comes from with in a person,its not about the pay,,,its the love and compassion for nursing,,your uncle is lying and he refuse to change a (brief) sorry we call them brief not diapers..he is refusing hid duties of being a nurse,and he will get fired,,also think if you were in the hospital and had to use a brief,,,and you had a bowel movement,and the nurse told you that you would have to lay in it cause no-way she could change your diaper,cause it was eww,,,so you laid there in Bowel movement,,,,,how would you feel??? nursing isnt for you

Hello, i'm in the same position as the OP, the only difference is that i'm 16 and that i'm confused on what uni course to take.

I like helping people, giving advice and making a difference in people lives. Dietician has all that but i'm not really into food. I like the idea of informing people with different type of diseases how they can deal with their situation via different foods though.

The idea of children nurse seems pretty interesting and rewarding however, i was wondering do children nurse also have to deal with poop and vomit?

Quick story: a girl ahead of me in the nursing program described a clinical experience: transporting her client to preop the client suddenly started projectile vomiting in the room. The student told me she ran out and asked the nurse what to do. The nurse said "that's your patient, get back in there!" She did. The nurse came in and helped her clean up the vomit. End of short story.

If it's really just about the smell I can sympathize. I hate the smell of formaldehyde, and tried to block it out in ap I and ii but the sensation to flee the lab room hit me a lot.

Some smells get easier. Like raw liver used to be "disgusting" now I handle it fine (I feed my dogs a home cooked diet so I handle raw liver often) so I think you get used to smells or learn how to focus more on your task than the smell.

I'm far from perfect about talking to other people, but I would suggest being a little more professional when you would like answers reciprocated that way. I learned too. I used to type with lower case "I" etc. And it's just not received the same as a person who types professionally and politely.

Back to body fluids. I know how people imagine themselves as nurses before the fact doesn't usually manifest exactly the same way, but I imagine myself cleaning after an elderly man, a pregnant woman, a sick child etc and feel like I can take away some of their embarrassment by how I respond maybe, or just give the care so they can have as much dignity as possible.

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