Don't wanna always give baths, clean up feces, etc., where to work?

Nurses General Nursing

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In clinicals we just give baths, clean up poop and puke, and feed patients. I honestly want nothing to do with this once I'm a nurse, so, where/what floors can I work on as a new grad, in order to avoid this? I do have an interest in Psych nursing.

You're headed into the wrong field if you want nothing to do with caring for the basic needs of others.

To quote a nurse friend, "If you can't deal with body fluids, get out of nursing." That said, there are lots of careers in nursing that don't involve poopy. But you have to pay your dues in med surg first for at least a year. Plan B is going straight to a master's program in psych.

If you are a new RN or LPN, a psych unit is unlikely to hire you unless you have med-surg experience.

I know my school just started the rule that you HAVE to take the CNA course before you can even apply for nursing school. YEAH!! They had too many people drop out the first semester whe they figured out what you all ready know!!

With that - I thought it was an EXCELLENT IDEA!!!! Even being a mom of three I was not sure I wanted to do this. Luckily I had such a WONDERFUL clinical experience that it gave me the confidence I needed. I kept thinking that if this were MY loved one - I would want and DEMAND the best care possible, so why not just do it??

On the other hand the student sitting next to me in class actually asked if the pts wear a SWIM SUIT for a bath!! ( I AM NOT JOKING) When she found out we had to "TOUCH THEIR PRIVATES" she RAN out of the class!!!

ONE DOWN!!! LOL

I see both sides - I want a solid career with decent money - BUT I also want a job that I can have a sense of accomplishment. Even if it is a simple smile from ONE patient!!

Maybe I am nieve - but if I am - please do not burst my bubble!!! LOL

Lyn

Lyn

The cna thing sounds like a very good idea - why waste your time and money in nursing school if you are going to run out screaming? Now, will you please tell me why all the cnas disappear when the nursing students show up? I actually had one say to me, "We don't have to do anything if there are students to do it!":devil:

""

You're headed into the wrong field if you want nothing to do with caring for the basic needs of others.

To quote a nurse friend, "If you can't deal with body fluids, get out of nursing." That said, there are lots of careers in nursing that don't involve poopy. But you have to pay your dues in med surg first for at least a year. Plan B is going straight to a master's program in psych.

If you are a new RN or LPN, a psych unit is unlikely to hire you unless you have med-surg experience.

I have seen Drs smell urine, suck out pus from an abscess, perform rectal and lady partsl examinations (they can get nasty), and get covered in blood from a trauma patient. They may not clean up much but they are still exposed to bodily functions.

Maybe the OP could consider Paediatrics or Neonatal, at least the vomit, faeces and urine are on a smaller scale than an adult.

Before I started nursing, I couldn't imagine cleaning something's poo poo. Now, it's just part of the job and I don't think twice about it.

really?

i must admit, when i see a 'job' to be done, i think twice, thrice and even 100 times, before i start digging in or cleaning up.

during the 'job', i don't think about it at all.

but afterwards, i always, always, always feel gratified, to be able to partake in such an intimate experience, and seeing how grateful my pt is.

i can truthfully say, that part of my personal satisfaction in nsg, is r/t these very experiences.

it just wouldn't be the same, w/o it.

leslie

Specializes in Tele, ED/Pediatrics, CCU/MICU.

Perhaps reconsider nursing... but, do a little soul searching first.

Have you had a bad experience in clinical? Were you not shown what to do first, and found yourself helpless and embarrassed? Are you worried it might make you feel sick?

I can think of many scenarios that might turn you off to the idea, but the truth is, nurses must care for people.... and it always involves bodily functions.

If you truly cannot handle poo and all of the other secretions, you need to switch careers.

If you have had a bad experience and simply feel uneasy and unprepared, swallow your fears and seek out experience with hands on patient care. Push yourself to learn; you will find ways to dissociate from the "gross" part and can focus on the fact that you are alleviating so much discomfort, providing dignity, and are able to assess your patient through it as well.

Yes, diarrhea is nasty. But if that diarrhea comes from a 14 year old with leukemia, who is on 3 abx and chemo and TPN and more....... you get over it.

Yes, vomit is nasty.... but if it comes from a mom of 3 who needs her appendix out and who is in pain and exhausted... .. you can let it slide.

The other strategy you can try, if you find yourself stuck in a "poopy" situation so to speak, is to volunteer to do another nurses non-poopy task for them, if they will take care of your poo for you. It's not a long term solution, but an alternative in a pinch if you know you just can't do it. It keeps you from looking lazy, and lets you gain your composure until your next opportunity to learn!

PS

I've never had a problem with bodily functions..... but I have friends from school who did, and they learned to overcome it and work around it and still provide great care!

Great Subject! I'm applying to nursing school. Very excited about the prospect of being a nurse, however I'm afraid I will vomit from all the smells I'll encounter. This has weighed heavy on my mind. I finally decided it is a crazy reason to stay away from nursing. Do you get used to it? I can't even stand my own sons vomit and poop, how will I overcome a patients? Please tell me I'll get use to it!

Specializes in B.S. Psychology.
In the early days, doctors used to taste patients' urine to assess for diabetes, etc. I am glad I will never have to do that.

I have seen disdain for poo amongst both older and younger nurses. One nurse in her 50s told me that she did not have her BSN to clean poo --that it was always the CNA's job. She would also make patients wait for pain pills if they used the call bell too much. I thought the last item was terrible.

I am waiting to get into nursing school. I know that as I work around poo, it is not as gross. It is easier to clean up.

I know I'll get flamed for this, but I don't think a RN should be giving baths and cleaning poo. You all are highly skilled professionals and leaving those tasks to a CNA would free up more of your time (hopefully) to take care of other tasks. Can't CNAs give a report of poo and vomitus? And I also think (in everyone's dreams), CNAs should ALWAYS be of staff to handle these tasks. Nurses are well paid compared to some other professions right of your school and it is a waste to resources to force RNs to do these tasks.

Flame away!! :lol2:

I know I'll get flamed for this, but I don't think a RN should be giving baths and cleaning poo. You all are highly skilled professionals and leaving those tasks to a CNA would free up more of your time (hopefully) to take care of other tasks. Can't CNAs give a report of poo and vomitus? And I also think (in everyone's dreams), CNAs should ALWAYS be of staff to handle these tasks. Nurses are well paid compared to some other professions right of your school and it is a waste to resources to force RNs to do these tasks.

Flame away!! :lol2:

i'm just trying to understand the correlation between educational level, and caring for your pt as a whole being...

furthermore, i would never delegate disimpaction to a nursing assistant.

leslie

Specializes in B.S. Psychology.
i'm just trying to understand the correlation between educational level, and caring for your pt as a whole being...

furthermore, i would never delegate disimpaction to a nursing assistant.

leslie

I mean there should be more CNAs that can be delegated to while the LPN or RN can focus more on other aspects of nursing care. Within a CNAs scope of practice of course.

Specializes in Day Surgery, Agency, Cath Lab, LTC/Psych.
Seriously... you've got to learn to love your inner poo. Celebrate the poo. Embrace the poo.

It's all about the poo.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: THANKS FOR THE LAUGH!!!! You are too funny!

Specializes in Med/Surg.
I know I'll get flamed for this, but I don't think a RN should be giving baths and cleaning poo. You all are highly skilled professionals and leaving those tasks to a CNA would free up more of your time (hopefully) to take care of other tasks. Can't CNAs give a report of poo and vomitus? And I also think (in everyone's dreams), CNAs should ALWAYS be of staff to handle these tasks. Nurses are well paid compared to some other professions right of your school and it is a waste to resources to force RNs to do these tasks.

Flame away!! :lol2:

Start ducking, cause here come the flames. :angryfire

Seriously, my head is starting to hurt from reading these ridiculous comments. As one poster said earlier, "Nursing is wholistic. You care for the whole person...Cleaning up mess...is part of the basics of nursing". That doesn't mean you stop being a nurse at the sight of pee, poop, or whatever bodily fluid is coming out. Who do you think cared for the patients before CNAs came around?

I don't know why people think that RNs are so above the law, so-to-speak, that when they get out of school & pass Boards, they don't ever have to do the "dirty work" again? Yes, it is something the CNAs should be first in line to do. But that doesn't mean an RN can't step up to the plate, especially if she's got the time &/or the CNA is busy with another patient. It's called teamwork people! Heck, it's called nursing.

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