Do I Have the Stomach for Nursing?

[Barmherzigkeit]

First, let me say I feel humbled to be part of a forum with so many talented and heroic professionals. Thank you for taking the time to read my question. I am 56 years old and plan to reapply for an accelerated 2nd bachelor's degree program AGAIN soon. I was accepted into two programs in 2013, but did not accept a seat due to my mother's admission to hospice with NPH and multiple TIA's. I chose to be her full time caregiver and am very glad I did. I did things for her (changing diapers for incontinence of bladder and bowel) gladly, that I never thought I would have the stomach to do so. I also changed bandages for a large bleeding basal cell carcinoma on her leg with no problem - the hospice nurses taught me how. Now, after she is gone and I've had time to grieve and heal, I yearn to tackle this again. My fear is I could do what I had to do for my mom with bravery, but am afraid I may be sick to my stomach doing the same work for a stranger. What if I gag, or even worse, vomit? Does this happen and do you will I get over it? I am grateful for your encouragement as well as truthful responses if I just don't have what it takes. Thank you.

[PA_RN87, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

Every nurse has their "thing" they can't stomach. With most things, you eventually learn little tricks (Vicks under the nose if you know it's coming), or plum get over it (desensitized) and they are manageable.

[barcode120x, RN, NP]

Yup, you will get desensitized over time. One of my close nursing classmates and would gag at any hint of poop smell while we were in our first semester at a long term care facility for the elderly. There are coping strategies like where a mask, using vaseline, popping a mint before a clean-up, and maybe others. My friend did neither and by 2nd semester med-surge, he got "somewhat" used to it haha, but it was manageable. Like PA_RN87 mentioned, every nurse has something they cannot stomach or stand. I can withstand ANY bodily fluid EXCEPT bad BO (body odor). Yes, I said it. Typical gym sweat and working out sweat is fine, but if the patient's one of the sweaty ones and has been there more than 2 days, that sweat sinks into every nook and cranny in the room and starts to get and smell old....and old smelling sweat in my opinion is worse that GI bleeders.

[Livetoride]

I worried about this before I started my CNA clinicals. I didn't know how I would have handled the bodily fluids once I got in there. Come to find out that BM and Urine were no problem. Vomit is no problem. The only thing I have found that disgusts me a bit are mucus secretions.

I don't have any tricks for that, other than to get through it and think of how the resident feels. I remain professional through it and do not show my disdain. I do believe everyone has their own thing that disgusts them. Does not mean you would be an incompetent nurse.

[Scrubs_n_sirens, MSN, RN]

I thought I'd have problems changing adult diapers. Now I kind of prefer it to spending 20 minutes ambulating the elderly to the bathroom and back.

Disclaimer: this doesn't mean I make them go on themselves for my convenance, simply that it's faster haha.