Scared Of Poop!!!!!!!!! Help!!!!!!!

kenmak70 · Sep 22, 2008

I think that is funny....Cleaning POOP was the only aspect of nursing that I culd not stand. But after spending 14 years as an LPN an working with geriatrics, I learned wuickly that it is part of the career. As you gain exp in other areas of the nursing career, cleaning poop might not be part of the responsibilities.

Jarelle · Sep 29, 2008

I'm a CNA and I know how you feel. I've had a passion for people since I was a baby. I'm only 18 years old, and I'm a CNA at a long term facility. And it's awesome. I love to hear the stories (truth or lies) of what they did when there were growing up and things like that.

I have orientated many new CNA students, and I can tell you this much....there is a lot of BM in this practice. But you will get used to the smell, I promise. When I first started I gagged a few times, and then after about a month or so, I dealt with it....the only times that I gag now are to the smell of a bladder infection, like a hardcore bladder infection, or I sometimes gag when I'm changing a resident and they toot. lol

But there is hope. I've taught many people how to avoid gagging. Takes some practice but you'll overcome it. The trick is to breathe through the mouth, and out through the nose. Long deep breaths. And you'll be just fine. Don't worry about it. Because when you become a nurse, you'll be dealing with worse things then a poopy diaper.

Just breathe, that's the best techniques and if you feel the need to gag, don't gag in front of the resident, most feel embarrassed that someone has to change them, so if you do gag :barf01:, look away from the patient/resident.

I hope that that helps you out. And good luck.

and remember to just breathe :)

AnnieSurv04 · Sep 29, 2008

Look if you have changed a baby's diaper don't worry you will be just fine it's just more, a whole not more at times but more. :up: . If you're scared of poop you need to be more scared of colostomy's sorry, I about died :bluecry1: the first time I did that. Not to scare you even more but that was the worst.

Leslie Miranda · Oct 3, 2008

I wasn't sure how I would react and on my first day of clinicals either. My original patient was in testing all day so I was shadowing other students patients. There was one gentleman who was taken off his NG tube and having bowel movements and starting to use the bathroom. As soon as we got there around 7am...he used the bathroom all over the bed. I actually wasn't there for that one, but he went 2 more times and on the last one he actually sat up at the edge of the bed and used the bathroom all over his sheets. It was weird because I was more concerned about him and making sure that we could get him back into bed than what he actually did. I didn't really focus on the actually poop that was all over the bed and didn't really pay attention to the smell. We were just concerned for him and getting him all cleaned up and changing the linens. Plus, you have gloves on and all kind of materials available in order to clean up. The only other think to suggest is to not make eye:eek: contact with the poop and you should be fine. It goes pretty quickly too. No worries. :up:

noraneka · Oct 4, 2008

I've done some diaper changing, and if the smell is bothering you , just put some vasaline or the vicks on the outside of your nostrils. Than you should be ok

arismendez_LVN · Oct 9, 2008

first off let me say but not sounding too ****** at the same time. you need to get over it. nursing is not for you if you cant stand someone feces...and i actually have a tip that worked for a few of my fellow nursing buddies who were in the same situation you were...try rubbing vicks under your nose...just a dab...takes away the smell

Gauge · Oct 9, 2008

Also, if you get in good with some anesthesia people they have various liquids they can put to make the gas smell....my friend whose mom is a CRNA got us some Peppermint! lol!

eve104 · Oct 22, 2008

OK i didnt read all your post but I have you beat, I worked in an SCI unit, not gonna say where, but I was utterly SHOCKED when they schooled me on Bowel Care. You talk about having to do EVERYTHING for someone. Geri is hard for the reason that here is a person that cant do for themself any more due to age, I had pt's that are young and middle aged that you have to do EVERYTHING for. But back to the poop. It was NOT one of my most favorable activities, however I got over it and now I just go in and GETR DONE!...lol. But there are times where the smell is very earthy and you have to contantly remind yourself to not make a face. But with practice you get better and just keep in mind the pt does not like it any more than you do. Although I have noticed that the older they get they just dont care. but still just be professional and remind your pt that its ok and as if its no big deal. :nurse:

9livesRN, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2008

Let me tell you something...

I hated to deal with poop, the smell of it, the corns and peas, and the warmth that you can even feel from the gloves.... used to make me gag!

but a certain day, my poor little dog decided to poop inside the house, but... she then ate it since she was afraid of getting in trouble if i saw it.

well i got home, and left my only leather jacket in the couch, and went to make dinner, she ate some of her food, and drank water, and we went to the couch, welll she got sick from the poop she ate, and threw it all up on my jacket, she vomited poop on my jacket!!!

yuuuuck! i had to clean it, before taking it to the dry cleaner right?

well after having to deal with that, when i see some poop to clean i think of what i had to clean from the dog... and it just become an easy task,

i do though sometimes use the vick on the nose (and a tictac on my mouth)

and only once had to use the mask!

but you just have to get it done! as fast as you can, and as clean as you can to make your PT confortable again!!!

there are some pigs out there that dont clean it very well and leaves the pt somewhat stinky!!!

that is just not fair!

luvbaby3gz · Oct 23, 2008

I'm ok with poop, pee, vomitus, and blood. The only thing that really bothers me is one smell like a combination of poop, pee, and rotten food in one. I don't know what it is, but it makes me nauseated and sometimes throw up. I sometimes smell it from other people outside the hospital (train station, church, mall). What I usually do is deal with it because after you spent 5 minutes at a patient room, you'll get used to the smell (vicks vaporub is a good idea too :up: ... I'll try it instead of dealing with the smell... heheheheh)

sharis2008 · Nov 5, 2008

I was the same way with my first round at a LTC facility. It was nice that it was more in my head than reality. Still didn't enjoy doing it but was not nearly as scary as I thought it might be

launch · Nov 9, 2008

In my opinion, here's how you should look at it as... you are there for that patient. And, please know, that patient would rather not be in the position that requires someone clean up after them...

So, if you can make light of it, and realize, having to be "cleaned up" is humiliating to them... Pretend it were you.... how would you want the nurse to help you, or how could the nurse make you feel more comfortable in this same humiliating situation....

.... then, you'll realize why you're a Nurse... to help others.... and to help them retain their dignity.... that, to me is the most important thing...