I was assign a client c/ esophageal cancer, liver disfunctions, obese, pej tube, acute/chronical renal failure and so on...
Well... i got in the room early am, and OMG that room stunk so bad, but no like poop, or that "disease" smell, it was a nasty, sweaty, dry lack of hygiene smell...
so i washed my hands, put my gloves on... and took my vitals, then came back to gime him a partial bad bath and told him to wash his genitals, well... as soon as the pct started it, what a stench
so i just kept on handing him new wash cloths, and they were coming back full of loose dead skin, and that smell was terrible!!!!
I almost vomited!
.... well we got over that part, made the bed, changed him, and everything was better... none had given him a bath in the longest!!! and he had poop under the nails:barf02:!!!
after everything set up, a colleague came and asked me for help doing peri care on a man, since it was her first time, so i went over there and washed my hands, got my gloves on....
the room was so warm it was like 90 in there, no kidding! then we got him ready, all supplies and it all, then i went to lift his testicles that were stuck on the midle (close to his knees) of his legs, and i was talking to him and my frind... when i lifted it, surprise i just noticed that cloud of smell right up my nose... and my hands were full of poop since he had poop on the back of his testicles...
well, i turned around real quick, since i dod not want to make a face!!!! took a deep breath, told my friend change of plans, let me go get supplies!!!!
the smell was nasty, real nasty, and warm!!!!
so i got back on the room with everything, and we cleaned him, changed the bed, and rotated him... OMG there was so much poop!!! yuck!
we were able to keep it down c/ a straight face... but it was chalenging!
we got it all done, and we had to put ointment on him since he was getting sore, and stage 1 pressure wounds, we finished it up, and even gave him a back rub!!!
it was a great experience since it was the first time for both of us, and we did such a fine job... and i did not through up...!!!!
if you are scared of poop then i suggest you find another profession.
This is not a helpful answer. Do you think people can't get over their fears? I know for a fact that they can, because I spend a good deal of my professional life helping people with fears and phobias.
It's a pleasant scent I can swipe under my nose, and it doesn't show up on the skin. This comes in a tiny little bottle, so it is convenient for putting in your pocket.
this is not a helpful answer. do you think people can't get over their fears? i know for a fact that they can, because i spend a good deal of my professional life helping people with fears and phobias.
regardless of whether it is a "helpful" answer or not, it's the truth. i have seen a lot of young people in school who think that they won't have to deal with the poop, that cna's do all that. dealing with various bodily fluids are a part of the game (if you do not work in an office somewhere). if it is a problem now, it probably won't get any better. just wait until the first gi bleed comes along. it does no one a service to candy coat the way things are.
regardless of whether it is a "helpful" answer or not, it's the truth. i have seen a lot of young people in school who think that they won't have to deal with the poop, that cna's do all that. dealing with various bodily fluids are a part of the game (if you do not work in an office somewhere). if it is a problem now, it probably won't get any better. just wait until the first gi bleed comes along. it does no one a service to candy coat the way things are.
i'm very anti-sugarcoating, but you're also being unrealistic. if the problem is as simple as as overcoming a silly obstacle (like dealing with gross smells), it certainly can get better. i know- i was there, so were many people i know, coworkers as well. every nurse has their "thing"- doesn't mean they shouldnt be nurses. it does no one a service to be so cynical and dismissive.
your not a newbie anymore. congrats, i hate the poo, too. i love the fms. it's the fecal management system, unfortunately it's not for long term usage (29 days) and their stool needs to be more liquidy. but it's amazing.
Just remember to breathe through your mouth, always wear gloves, and always ALWAYS wash your hands when you are done (not just the alcohol rub!). Oh and for the patient's sake, watch your facial expressions.
Although this was no doubt a "life-changing" event for you (haha, in many ways, it actually was), what you did for that patient was very honorable. I am not sure if you said if he was A&Ox3 or what his mentation was like, but you provided a very basic yet very appreciated service today to this person. Nursing may not be a very glamourous job, but I have found it to be extremely rewarding, poop and all. You just have to look at every disgusting situation (and there will be more) as an opportunity. Look at this as the opening of the portion of your nursing carreer that allows you to show off your clinical skills..now poop, but soon foleys, SQs, IMs, IVs, etc. It does not stop! (And lucky for all of us, there is always going to be the poop.) Nursing is a skill and sometimes it takes a colleague to remind you of that! Thank you for being invested in your own development into a skilled nurse! I think we would all be surprised to hear how many students shy away from these kinds of opportunities and I would be VERY interested to know how many nursing students get out of school without ever having wiped a butt (because even ONE would be too many).
in more and more nursing schools it seems they are requiring a cna certification even for admission- so even if one is pursuing a nursing degree- they may need to do the duties of a cna anyway at least for awhile.
regardless of whether it is a "helpful" answer or not, it's the truth. i have seen a lot of young people in school who think that they won't have to deal with the poop, that cna's do all that. dealing with various bodily fluids are a part of the game (if you do not work in an office somewhere). if it is a problem now, it probably won't get any better. just wait until the first gi bleed comes along. it does no one a service to candy coat the way things are.
Okay, I said I was scared of the poop. Ladymedik, I am a grown woman of 36 years and I can deal with the poop. I do not know anyone that enjoys poop, I will handle it and I will be an awesome RN. I know you are just being realistic, but please know that I won't let poop get in the way of my passion:kiss
i just noticed that cloud of smell right up my nose... and my hands were full of poop since he had poop on the back of his testicles...
AtomicWoman
1,747 Posts
This is not a helpful answer. Do you think people can't get over their fears? I know for a fact that they can, because I spend a good deal of my professional life helping people with fears and phobias.