CNA Question

[andrearositas88]

Hello Everyone,

I will be doing a program in July to become a CNA.

I am excited but nervous at the same time. I have 2 question for those who are currently working in the field.

Will I get use to changing patients? And do a lot people gag a lot at first due to the smell?

Don't get me wrong I want to take care of the patients and do my best in helping them. I am just nervous I will gag and make someone feel uncomfortable, which is not something I would want anyone to feel. If you have any tips please share I want to do my best when the time comes.

[Leonardsmom,LPN]

Cleaning up and changing patients is something that you get comfortable doing with experience. For smells everyone is different, some people are more sensitive to smells than others, along with the fact that different smells will affect different people. Some people get use to it, some don't.

[RNjanet49]

Put on a nursing face and breathe out of your mouth

[Missingyou, CNA]

You will either just get use to the smell so it doesn't bother you any more, or you will learn to hide your discomfort.

In the meantime:

You can put something up or under your nose like Vicks or even a scented chapstick or a strong mint in your mouth just before you have to deal with a smelly situation.

[GoofyBlondeChic]

I can honestly say that you do get used to it. Some good advice my instructors told me about was to use Vicks Vaporub in your nostrils. I didn't really need it past the first few days, as I generally have a cast iron stomach. But I can honestly say that the smell of C-Diff, did make me gag. It just has it's own smell...No worries, you'll be great.

[Missingyou, CNA]

But I can honestly say that the smell of C-Diff, did make me gag. It just has it's own smell...No worries, you'll be great.

YES! I've been doing this for more than 20 yrs and nothing bothers me anymore....except the smell from c-diff!!!