How do you stay proud of the job despite some things...

[LookForward]

I just recently graduated and got the associates degree few months ago to be an RN. Ive worked as an extern and a nursing assistant for months, but there's one thing I can't seem to get over.......that is when dealing with some great bowel movements....I always knew this is part of the job. But during 'severe' cases, I am unable to hide the grimace and worse, I get coughing spasms. I feel bad that the patient sees this...and I feel bad that sometimes, I get depressed and quite ashamed.

For the past years, my whole life revolved around nursing and there's more to come...It's just that this experience makes me feel like I'm not cut out for it. Have you been through the same thing? Is this just a phase?? I hope to get over this...I have this idea of me as a nurse, and now I feel a mix of being disillusioned, frustration and sometimes...depression. Sometimes, it seems like you are supposed to stand everything to survive in this profession---from a distance, i can see the RNs deal with multiple things and keep their cool..Honestly, im scared.

An advice and some sharing of experiences would be Greatly appreciated.

[lisamc1RN, LPN]

Please don't be ashamed of yourself over this. Most nurses have something that gets to them. For me, a messy trach gets me. I can feel the gag response coming on just thinking of it. It's ok to feel this way. The trick is to problem solve this thing so that you can function in your job. What exactly is making you gag? The smell? The texture? Is it visual? Once you have an idea of what is causing the problem, you can make some changes when you enter a room to take care of a BM. For instance, if it's a smell, why not keep some mints in your pocket or some peppermint oil to put on your nose in your pockets? If it's texture, 2 sets of gloves might help. For visual, practice some replacement visuals in your head before you go in, and use them once you are in there. Or distraction...talking to your patient can help, too. :) Again, don't beat yourself up over this. You are normal.

[JordiesMomRN]

i feel your pain, do not get upset over this, we are human. lots of nurses have certain responses to certain situations. i gag when i have to do care on a stage iv pressure ulcer. i can not help this, the sight and the smell gets to me. i usually wear a mask with a drop of peppermint oil on the inside and just try to concentrate on what i'm doing. actually, on our unit we work very well together. if i clean one nurses pt. who has had a big bm (she can't stand the smell) she will do my pressure sore care, if i ask. some of us can't stand the smell of gi bleeds etc. etc. there are lots of things out there, but you will be ok, please dont feel bad or let this depress you, it's sort of normal.

[ItsTheDude]

no biggie, just get a job as a rn where there's no butt wiping involved, there are many rn jobs like that.

[misplaced1]

Dude

Why dont you post a few of these non butt wiping jobs?

[ItsTheDude]

some nursing jobs i've had or have now that didn't/don't involve me wiping butts:

doc offices

addiction/rehab

doc n a box/urgent care clinic

psych (cna's did the wiping)

most hh cases i've done

nursing education

health department

place i've been a butt wiper:

ltc

some hh cases

ER

[Bormio]

I am so with you on the poop thing! When I was a nursing assistant, I would deal with all the vomit and my co-worker handled all the poop!