Is hospital nursing an unbearably dirty job?

[lisaniles]

I started nursing clinicals and I have encountered poop, pee, vomit, mucus, etc. I was a CNA for 2 years and loved it, so this doesn't bother me, but one of my nursing friends who graduated claims that she's seen so much "dirty" stuff that she quit working at the hospital to work in a clinic. For example, she says that she no longer even had an appetite. This has to be an exaggeration, right? Comments appreciated.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

It is EXTREMELY unfortunate that I never got to film an episode of Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe. What with that darned HIPAA and all- he doesn't even know that he's my next husband.....

[Purple_roses]

There is nothing that could possibly stop me from eating.

[vanilla bean]

"Unbearable" is in the eye of the beholder. Purple roses, I'll meet you in the break room for a snack.

[Purple_roses]

"Unbearable" is in the eye of the beholder. Purple roses, I'll meet you in the break room for a snack.

Deal!

As a matter of fact (now that I think about it), I ate my lunch today right after changing a massively tragic brief. Did not even notice that initially.

[nutella, MSN, RN]

I started nursing clinicals and I have encountered poop, pee, vomit, mucus, etc. I was a CNA for 2 years and loved it, so this doesn't bother me, but one of my nursing friends who graduated claims that she's seen so much "dirty" stuff that she quit working at the hospital to work in a clinic. For example, she says that she no longer even had an appetite. This has to be an exaggeration, right? Comments appreciated.

We are dealing with real life and real life situations. And life is messy, chaotic, smelly, not always clean and so on and forth. Granted, there is a difference between your kid's poop / vomit and that of other people. It is like everything else in life - some people can't deal with other people's sweat/dirt/and so on and forth. The truth is that all jobs in nursing are not as seen on TV. There is also not so much glamour.

Clinics are popular among nurses who like the monday - Friday time and who do not mind to earn less. It is different from hospital nursing in many regards. It is probably also "more clean" and requires less physical work.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

To each his own. Some people can deal with some problems, others can deal with other issues. We need all types to make the world go around.

Yes, bedside Nursing is full of blood, pus, sweat, saliva, mucous, urine, stool, odors, vomit, wounds, lots of rather icky things. We have to focus on the good we are doing for people. But like any line of work, it's not for everyone.

[Katillac, RN]

Yes. Hospital nursing is unbearably dirty and everyone loses their appetites. That's why we are all stick thin.

Seriously, think about it. You were a CNA, is there a vast amount of "dirty" stuff that only the nurses are exposed to? Your friend is having a bit of sport with you.

[nsoler, ADN, RN]

^^^ With Snowflake tendencies methinks.

Nailed it

[DeeAngel]

She sounds a bit precious and dumb.

[jkesler]

You actually loved working as a CNA? I wonder why so many people complain about the job.

Are you being humorous? Or are you really unaware that the CNA role is usually the "grunt" of nursing? They are usually the one that is called when someone needs lifted, turned, fed, cleaned, and etc. If someone throws up the first person the RN usually calls is the CNA. Someone soiled the bed? Call the CNA. Yes, it's true. Some will say that is not how it really it is. But, ask any CNA. :)

[jkesler]

I started nursing clinicals and I have encountered poop, pee, vomit, mucus, etc. I was a CNA for 2 years and loved it, so this doesn't bother me, but one of my nursing friends who graduated claims that she's seen so much "dirty" stuff that she quit working at the hospital to work in a clinic. For example, she says that she no longer even had an appetite. This has to be an exaggeration, right? Comments appreciated.

Your friend may have an unusually discriminating sense of smell. People with an acute sense of smell often have trouble dealing with the "dirty" part of nursing or healthcare. She may also have a germ phobia. I mean that darn E-coli just hangs out in poo and waits for the unsuspecting person to forget to wash their hands and then WHAM! You have a bad case of gastroenteritis.

I have met many nurses over the years. And each of them has at least one thing that can gross them out and throw them off their appetite. Some people it's phlegm in all of it's wonderful variations. I know people who can handle emesis but the minute they see a dirty baby diaper they are hitting the porcelain receptacle of Ralph.

Of course, there are those who can clean up poo. Wipe down the walls covered in urine. And watch Linda Blair spew green pea soup for 30 feet all over the exorcist priest. And then eat the greasy burger from the hospital cafeteria without needing a single Rolaids or Alka Seltzer cure.

The good news for your friend and others is that there is a place in nursing for all of us. Except for maybe the ones who can't stand the smell of antiseptic. Because almost no matter where you go in nursing someone will be cleaning the place with antiseptic. He he he.

[Gizmopup1]

I don't think hospital nursing is dirtier, but I hated it for different reasons. After 5 years of hospital work, I also left and haven't looked back. I became a very good Home Health nurse because I can appreciate the job and I like focusing on one patient at a time.

Yes, patient homes can be just as dirty if not dirtier than many hospitals, but I feel I can make a better impact with my talents and help people. Not every nurse wants to work in an ED or on a unit. And just because they don't doesn't make them less, like some of these previous comments imply. (One of the reasons I hated inpatient work was bad attitudes from coworkers)

I say good job to your friend for recognizing she wasn't a good fit for her previous job. I hope she finds something she likes better. Luckily, nursing has a lot of options to chose from!