Do Nurses have to do the following??

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Do Nurses have to clean up after patients'?

For instance, if a patient throws up all over themselves or poops on themselves, do Nurses have to clean them up?

What is the most disgusting thing that you have done for a patient?

Give me the dirty 'lowdown' on the gritty work that some Nurses are forced to endure.

Specializes in LTC, hospitals and correctional settings.

"Do Nurses have to clean up after patients'?

For instance, if a patient throws up all over themselves or poops on themselves, do Nurses have to clean them up?

What is the most disgusting thing that you have done for a patient?

Give me the dirty 'lowdown' on the gritty work that some Nurses are forced to endure."

Hey, folks, sounds like this original poster is making a 21st century version of an obscene phone call. :barf01:There, hope that makes your day, omgodzilla.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
We have poo fairies at my hospital, doesn't everyone?

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It really sad to see this question asked. Yes, of course. Who would like to wait for someone else to help them clean up if a nurse is already in the room. As a patient, I wouldn't think much of the nurse who walked out on me. If I couldn't help clean them up, I would make sure they understand what life threatening event prevented me from their assistance. By the way, I always empty full trash cans even if it's not in my job description. Who wants to be a in a "dirty hospital"

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Thanks for that response.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I'm an MSN prepared nurse and yes, I do clean up everything.

However, the worst part of my job is telling families that their loved one died! Much worse than poop and pee.

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Specializes in Family Practice, Mental Health.

Oh MAN!!! You guys are SOOOOO lucky!! Our management laid off all of our poo fairies :(

I heard that they were snapped up by a local "Merry Maids" though. (I think the pay was better) I think I read in the local newspaper that they were going to incorporate a diaper service into their housekeeping routine.

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How sad..

I just really want to know what kinds of duties that a Nursing job entails.

The good, the bad, and the ugly.

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I don't consider it "forced to endure."

I'm not a nurse yet but a student & I consider cleaning filth off a pt to be part of the job. No different then wound care, passing meds, etc. Each thing has a right way & wrong way to do it.

The other students I"m on the floor with feel the same way. We don't want pts sitting in filth & we don't just limit it to whoever we are assigned to be with. There is no point in breathing down the RNs neck I'm assigned too while he or she is charting or calling docs when I could be doing something helpful like helping another nurse, a tech, etc.

We had a patient that weighed close to 800 lbs, it took 8 people to get the pt clean & comfortable. (combination of students, 2 RNS, 1 CNA, and our instructor)

I also make sure I know the names of everyone in housekeeping & food services at every clincial rotation I am. They are all part of making the hospital tick.

I have no intention of ever letting another human being lay in filth when I do become an RN. An RN who mistreats their CNAs is going to find themselves very much alone in situations that warrant a lot of help.

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Specializes in CNA and nursing student.

well that's what being a nurse is all about...you are not being force because you chose to go school for it. Takin care of someone is suppose to be a wonderful thing and your passion....so yea you have to do everything ^_^

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Specializes in ER and Home Health.

That is basic Nursing 101 and very satisfying, taking care of patients.

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Specializes in Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.
Oh MAN!!! You guys are SOOOOO lucky!! Our management laid off all of our poo fairies :(

I heard that they were snapped up by a local "Merry Maids" though. (I think the pay was better) I think I read in the local newspaper that they were going to incorporate a diaper service into their housekeeping routine.

Don't forget, they were also going to contract out to pick up the dog poop in the back yard (for an extra fee, of course!)!

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Specializes in NICU.

Honestly, I would rather be in the position of being the one to help the patient stay clean and comfortable than to be in the patient's shoes.

Imagine as a patient if you were incontinent of feces/urine or had vomited all over yourself and the nurse looked at you, wrinkled her nose and said "I don't clean patients- I have a BSN. You'll have to wait for the CNA/poop fairy/family members/whoever to come help you get cleaned up."

Treat others how you would want to be treated :nurse:

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