Does a CNA have to wipe butts?

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  1. would you be a CNA if you had to wipe butts?

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I am thinking about becoming a CNA but I have heard some bad things, for example that I will have to wipe butts/ Is this true? Is there any where I can be a CNA and not have to do this? How can I get around it? What parts of the hospital can I work in that are not so totally gross. I can deal with surgery , just not poop.

Specializes in med/surg.

Seriously? Butts, huge diapers, snot, blood, yeast infections (in some strange places), weeping legs, draining scrotal wounds, bodily fluids you didn't even know existed...and not just now and then but cyclically, every two hours, 36 hours a week. You might want to consider a different career choice...

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

If you don't want to be around poop, pee, vomit, snot or blood, then the medical field is not for you, not just as a CNA but in pretty much any capacity.

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Specializes in Pedi.
I am thinking about becoming a CNA but I have heard some bad things, for example that I will have to wipe butts/ Is this true? Is there any where I can be a CNA and not have to do this? How can I get around it? What parts of the hospital can I work in that are not so totally gross. I can deal with surgery , just not poop.

I'm having a hard time believing this is a serious post.

To answer your question of where can you work as a CNA and not have to wipe butts, the answer is nowhere. As another poster said, CNAs do not participate in surgeries. ANY role a CNA has in a hospital, a nursing home or even home health (as a home health aide or PCA) will involve poop.

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Judging from the OP's sign on name and the fact that this is their first and only post, I'm going with someone's trying to stir something up.

and if this is a serious question (which I pray to the Heaven's isn't) the answer is Yes, you'll clean poop as a CNA. The 'poll' is just nonsense! Would you be a CNA IF you had to wipe butts?! Seriously? A little silly since CNA's and nurses 'wipe butts'.

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I don't think the OP is being serious.

But anyway watching a surgery on TLC and watching a real one isn't quite the same.

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Specializes in Adult/Ped Emergency and Trauma.

I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night . . .?

I don't blame you for not wanting to wipe butts, but hope you do wipe your own. Wiping others is pretty similar. Wiping should always be done front to back to avoid nasty infections! According to the bear on TV, Charmin leaves less pieces behind.

If you don't get over this fear of butt wiping, please do not pursue the caregiver route. I have a unreasonable fear of being in a Nursing Home with a crusty dirty butt. And, gauging from my luck, and this post, I would probably be your first patient.

Toilet Paper can be a Fomite.

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OP, please save yourself time, energy, and money and pursue another career. I mean that in the most polite way possible.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.

Why no, OP. You do not have to wipe butts. For being a CNA is all about rainbows & daffodils..no bodily fluids included! :uhoh3:

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Specializes in gertatric.

ummm are you serious?? If I as an RN wipe butts...I think you might have to, as well.... : )

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Specializes in Emergency, Haematology/Oncology.

Surely this is trolling? We could add it to the mockery of nursing thread. Not even going to dignify with a thoughtful answer.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

If only the poop were just on their butts...

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Specializes in Pedi.
If only the poop were just on their butts...

Excellent point! We (nurses included) also have to clean it when the agitated, confused patient decides that the shower is the toilet and squats down and does his business on the floor.

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