Did RNs Have To Practice Bathing Each Other In NS

Published

Hi all,

I was just reading a post in the pre-nursing forum where someone was going for a CNA (I think that means Assistant, but I'm unsure...)

At any rate, I wanted to know if anyone who took the RN program had to practice giving sponge baths on other students while in NS? EGADS.

Thanks,,

me-too

Specializes in ER, CCU.

We had to watch a video to learn how to bath somone!!! I think i watched that thing 5 times before my first clinical, i was so nervous!!

Shots we did those on these rubber sort of things, they were strange, we practiced drawing up insulin, then we would have to squirt out the solution and then practice injecting air into the little things they had for us because injecting the solution in them ment they wouldn't last as long.

I feel that i did get a decent base for skills in lab we did all assessment stuff on each other, well everything that didn't personally violate the other person. I got a lot of experience doing my skills from working in an ER as a tech though!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, Emergency Department.

In my RN program, we did not practice bathing each other. We practiced bed baths on mannequins. Let me tell you, everything is much different on a human than a mannequin, obviously.

We did practice feeding each other, pretending to be patients who did not want to be fed or made a mess with food, etc, just so we could get practice dealing with different situations.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

is it terrible that I am ok with bathing and needle practice but am FREAKING OUT at the idea of someone in my class putting their fingers near my mouth? ugh

I had some problems with my jawbone when I was pregnant and have 2 false teeth until I can afford a permanent implant after school and am going to lose it if I have to let someone near my mouth. ugh

Praying my class doesnt do that part!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg.
is it terrible that I am ok with bathing and needle practice but am FREAKING OUT at the idea of someone in my class putting their fingers near my mouth? ugh

I had some problems with my jawbone when I was pregnant and have 2 false teeth until I can afford a permanent implant after school and am going to lose it if I have to let someone near my mouth. ugh

Praying my class doesnt do that part!

I would think if you were up front and honest about that part, then they would defer the oral care in that case.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

We pretended to wash each other. One student was in the bed fully clothed and the other went through the entire process of bed bath with a dry cloth. It gave me perspective on what it was like to be in the patient's shoes!

We also did vitals on each other too, but no injections.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
We never had to practice on each other. We gave baths to the mannequins. We did have to practice giving shots to each other though:cry:

We did the same but we didn't practice shots on each other yet. I am not sure if we do that. My first semester in clinical I was giving shots. I practice on my parents since they are diabetics.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NeuroICU/SICU/MICU.

Yes, we practiced bathing each other during first semester lab. It was no big deal - in fact, it was a bonding experience for my class. We all felt kind of awkward about it, so we were all joking and laughing (not at each other in a cruel way). I was nervous about it too, but it was fine :heartbeat And also refreshing - you get sweaty doing baths and changing beds, it felt nice to get clean :cheers:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER/OR.

Maybe I'm alone in this, but I can't imagine having to practice bathing on another student. I will NEVER allow another student to attempt an IV on me, or vice-versa. I'm weird about that stuff. Fail me if you must, but that will never happen!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

yup, we bathe each other. same gender of course and with someone you are comfortable with like your friend and as well as with injections. we practice with each other.haha

Up Vote Up Vote ×
yup, we bathe each other. same gender of course and with someone you are comfortable with like your friend and as well as with injections. we practice with each other.haha

We had to make sure to pick someone that was not our friend for all activities. They wanted us to get used to working with different people (ones we were not familiar with) and they wanted us to experience the same awkwardness a patient would feel. And guys/girls paired up too. I'm glad they made us do that b/c it was a learning experience to feel the awkwardness on both ends (as the nurse & the patient) and by the end of that semester, we had all become such good friends. It really kept us from forming cliques as well.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Wow. The only thing we've ever done on each other is assessments, and I graduate this semester. We are not allowed, on penalty of expulsion, to practice any invasive skills on each other or to remove any equipment from the lab with which to practice on friends/family. Our school's insurance doesn't cover it if we injure each other or catch something, so they're serious about it. I wish we could - I've still never inserted an NG, I've had two chances to start IVs, and three to draw blood. Bed baths we just didn't spend much time on - it was covered in our first lab day, but we ran out of time to even practice on the dummy after the demo. We just learned that on the floor - and it is uncomfortable, especially by yourself, when you haven't done it before. Hopefully you get to spend a day or two doing CNA work when clinicals start - that will give you many more opportunities to get those skills down before you start taking patients.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion