Need some help, is this normal?

Nurses General Nursing

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HI, I am a 2nd semester nursing student in an AD program. I started working as a bed bath aide 1 week ago today. The reason I took this job is because I had quit my full time office job back in November because I had been there for 8 years and was sick of the BS. Also, since Nursing school can be very demanding, I figured, ok, part-time per diem job as a bed and bath will be beneficial since it will make me more comfortable around patients (especially during clinicals) and I will be exposed to hospital environment, lingo, procedures, etc. (BTW, I cannot work as a Nursing Assistant until I finish my 2nd semester in May 09). I was hired as a floater. Here are my issues. To sum it up, I want to just quit nursing school and quit the job together, like right now. Every day I go to bed with anxiety and I am so depressed. I didn't expect to see the things I've seen in the hospital. (esp, the oncology floor) Secondly, I don't think I can handle giving bed baths to 6 patients a day (changing sheets, gown, etc as well) because 4 out of the 6 have liquid diarrhea. Normally the drill is, I show up to the floor and each nursing aide will assign me 2 patients that they want me to give bed/baths to. Obviously, I end up getting the patients that they least want to take care of. Please let me clarify, it is not the body fluids that bother me so much, but the fact that I have to work by MYSELF. 95% of these patients are incapable of moving or helping me move them in any way, they are complete dead weight, and for the past 3 days my lower back (by my tailbone) is hurting me so badly. I don't know if it is because my body is not used to this, or because I have done some damage already. (I've tried tricks of the trade, correct lifting, etc, but it is not helping) Obviously a hospital is not a feel-good place, but seeing these patients in that state everyday, I can't help it, but I feel the place is so depressing, I mean, in the floors I've been in, really no one except for 2 little old ladies has gotten "better". And after seeing the RNs and what they do, I feel like I am having a change of heart. But what I want to know is, is this cold feet? Will these feelings go away as I am in the hospital setting longer? Is this an "adjustment" phase? I would hate to quit both and then quick myself for not seeing this through. PLEASE ANY ADVICE IS WELCOME, has anyone else gone through this? I mean there are times when I just feel like crying, and running, literally. What makes my situation worse is that if I did, I'd be out of a job, in this horrendous economy. One point is that I definitely am more more more comfortable around patients, which I think would be very helpful around clinical time. I feel more confident. But other than that, my feelings are really troubling me. I have cried almost every single day, usually at night when I am alone, I think about these people and how they're not gonna get better and how tomorrow when I show up they'll be worse than yesterday and then I think, :crying2:ok, some of them are non-verbal, some of them are delirious, some of them are in such bad shape, and to know on top that I have to care for them by myself. (managing oxygen mask, nG tube, foley, loaded diaper) while I give bed/bath and change sheets, and it is not that I am lazy, but I feel that working with someone else really does make a tremendous difference and you get done in half the time, which I feel is not only good for me, but for the patient as well - (they don't have to be exposed as long, one person can help them turn and hold them to the side while they are being cleaned, can also help fetch extra supplies if needed, esp. if it is a huge watery bm, or get the nurse to report change in pressure ulcer status, get the nurse to change dressing, etc). Things were so different in nursing school, the lab, so unrealistic . . . which makes me question my path. I am new and I don't want to rock the boat on how things are done at this hospital. Plus I see that there are other bed bath aides who do this alone each and every day and when I ask, does your back hurt, they've looked at me like I'm crazy. PLEASE HELP.

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Specializes in cardiac/critical care/ informatics.

first of all, you need someone to help turn the patient. Do everything up until you need to turn the patient and then ask for someone to assit you to turn. THat should not be a problem.

2nd I believe you said you are on oncology floor, and that isn't for everyone yes it can be depressing and said because they usually don't get better. So you at least know hospice and oncology is out for you, a surgical floor might be a good fit, those patients are usually walkie talkies, and get better you can see the improvement.

Good Luck

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Remember, not all nursing jobs entail jobs like this. After you graduate you could work OB, NICU, Surgery and many other areas. I could not work the oncology floor as it made me too depressed. But there are special nurses and aides that can work oncology (Bless these special caregivers!)...it may not be your niche in nursing. And ask for help moving pts-it will save your back as well as be safer for the pt. On fragile pts. you run the risk of skin tears trying to move them yourself as they end up getting dragged or pulled across the sheets.

But hang in there...look for another job. EKG tech might be a possibility or even a non nursing job. You only have a year left of NS and you worked too hard to just give it up. But take care of yourself...just finish school and find a nursing job that fits you.

This is also why every nursing school should require all students to be a CNA for a year before entering nursing school.

I know I am speculating on your pts. and don't really know their diagnosis and condition but from the sounds of it some might be better off with hospice. Only in America is it considered an insult or failure to die, and too many people end up in the hospital rather than admitting they may be terminal.

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Specializes in Neuro trauma ICU, Flight Nurse.

Chicuilina,

I am normally a very supportive, "you can do it" kind of nurse. I've been hanging out in this profession for 10 years now, and I can say that what you are describing definitely is typical nursing care on a med surg floor. Frankly, it's normal for the specialty areas as well. Not all people are cut out for nursing. It is not all daisies and roses. There is constant contact with malodorous body fluids, a great deal of pressure and stress, and often very little appreciation. The time pressure is maddening at times. If you don't find bed baths appealing (honestly, I find a simple bed bath is often the best thing I have to offer a patient), and body fluids get to you, it's likely that you are just not cut out for this career and you should consider moving on. You maybe better suited in radiology, or as a respiratory therapist where there is plenty of patient contact without the large quantity of gooey body fluids and back pain. Sorry for the depressing feedback here, but if you're going into nursing you need to know the reality is not pretty. :twocents:

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Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

I agree with the above poster regarding doing as much as you can and then get some help with turning and they can hold the pt while you do back and bottom cares. You should not be expected to be able to do it all by yourself. Also, it sucks when pts don't get better, but maybe try to look at it differently. You are making them more comfortable and that is very important! If you can't cure them, its' good to help them be as comfortable as possible for the time a person has left.

I was a pt a few years back and I fought the cna the first night because no way was someone ever going to bathe me! I had been a cna for many years. Well, she wore me down and I was/am so grateful that she stood her ground and didn't just chart refused. I felt much better when she was done. I will be eternally grateful for that wonderful cna! She has no idea the impact she made on me not only that night, but even now as I begin to transition from student to nurse! You will do so much good, trust me.

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Chicuilina,

I am normally a very supportive, "you can do it" kind of nurse. I've been hanging out in this profession for 10 years now, and I can say that what you are describing definitely is typical nursing care on a med surg floor. Frankly, it's normal for the specialty areas as well. Not all people are cut out for nursing. It is not all daisies and roses. There is constant contact with malodorous body fluids, a great deal of pressure and stress, and often very little appreciation. The time pressure is maddening at times. If you don't find bed baths appealing (honestly, I find a simple bed bath is often the best thing I have to offer a patient), and body fluids get to you, it's likely that you are just not cut out for this career and you should consider moving on. You maybe better suited in radiology, or as a respiratory therapist where there is plenty of patient contact without the large quantity of gooey body fluids and back pain. Sorry for the depressing feedback here, but if you're going into nursing you need to know the reality is not pretty. :twocents:

The OP expressly said she is not bothered by the work or the body fluids. No, the reality of nursing is not pretty. But to pronounce her as "likely... just not cut out for this career" because she's struggling to move helpless patients is silly.

The OP said she's concerned because she can't work well by herself. Of course she can't. She shouldn't be lifting or moving total-assist patients by herself.

OP, I urge you to speak up for yourself and ask for help moving these people when you need it. You have to protect your physical health first and foremost, or you will not have a career. Do you feel you cannot ask for help? Why? If you cannot ask for help and act to reduce your stress, it won't matter which floor you're on.

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DON'T QUIT NURSING SCHOOL because of this job. Have you talked to your instructors or your boss about how you are feeling? I think the situation you are in is emotionally overloading you, plus you are in physical pain- not a good combination. Remember that you won't being doing baths forever, and eventually you will be working in the same place all the time, so you will have a chance to bond with co-workers. Right now you are floating, maybe that feels lonely and is adding to your stress.

Also, don't ignore your physical pain. Have someone watch you work and give you pointers on how to move properly.

Good luck to you, your post breaks my heart but I really hope you find a way to make this work for you.

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Specializes in OB, OR.

I don't think this particular job gives you a good idea of how nursing can be eventually.

Ask for help and stick it out. :)

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

I can recall having similar feelings when I worked as a CNA in LTC. I had little to no help turning and moving immobile patients, and my back was sore after every shift. Also, I felt really badly for some of those residents.

Today, I work as a nurse in acute care and for the most part really enjoy interacting with my patients, and we are a "lift free" facility, meaning that nobody is required to move anyone who is immobile without the appropriate equipment and help.

Those aides should not be sticking you with the heavy patients like that. Instead, they should be using your assistance to bathe them, so that they don't have to team up and take longer to get baths done, because that's what they'd be doing if you weren't there. I highly doubt they would ever bathe an immobile patient by themselves. I think they're taking advantage.

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stick in there.. I will graduate in Dec 09, and trust me, I was pretty discouraged in the beginning (along with most of my other classmates) from having med-surg for three semesters. Until we got into different specialties, I thought I had made a big mistake. There are so many options... I hated med-surg but I have really found that I love NICU and Public Health.. You will find something that suits you. NS is so tough and trust me, Ive gotten through this far with blood, sweat and many tears.

Your job seems like it may be the most discouraging, If i worked as a bed-bath aide (which I for one had not idea a job like that even existed!) I would have been just as over it as you are.... Stick with it, then get an aide job on a unit that is less 'full care'... Like maybe a postpartum unit (which is what I do, and enjoy it)...

Anyway...good luck and hang in there. :redbeathe

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Thank you so much for all your input. Sometimes I try to talk to DH about it but he just doesn't get it. I've been getting more assertive about asking for help, and surprisingly so, (I hate to say it) some of the aids/nurses just need to be told "ok, pt. in room *** is completely immobile and I cannot move him by myself, I'll be needing someone to help me". I was in a different floor today, I don't know what kind of floor it was, I guess a 'general' floor??? It wasn't too bad because the aids were very helpful and that made a world of difference, I even ended up staying an extra 20 mins., not because I had to but because I wanted to help. I really needed to have a good day like today. Yesterday I had a pt. sing "I'm in heaven" to me because he said I took such good care of him. (granted it took me almost an entire hour to get him out of bed to chair, change sheets, give him am care and help him eat). Today I got to take care of a lady as well, who needed to be fed, cleaned, the whole 9 and she said to me that I was very kind and that she was afraid they were gonna take me away from her; it feels so good to be appreciated and just to know that I am making a difference in someone's quality of life. Both of these pts. were deemed to be "trouble" pts. by the staff - but I think they just needed someone to talk to and not rush them. Now, I know in real life, a nurse/aid will have many pt.s and of course time is a luxury, but I figure, if I'm in this position, why not take the extra time? I know there will be good days and not so good days, but I hope there are more days like today to come. Thank you for all your responses, I definitely take all of them to heart. This place is a Godsend, because there are people that *understand*.

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Chicuilina,

I am normally a very supportive, "you can do it" kind of nurse. I've been hanging out in this profession for 10 years now, and I can say that what you are describing definitely is typical nursing care on a med surg floor. Frankly, it's normal for the specialty areas as well. Not all people are cut out for nursing. It is not all daisies and roses. There is constant contact with malodorous body fluids, a great deal of pressure and stress, and often very little appreciation. The time pressure is maddening at times. If you don't find bed baths appealing (honestly, I find a simple bed bath is often the best thing I have to offer a patient), and body fluids get to you, it's likely that you are just not cut out for this career and you should consider moving on. You maybe better suited in radiology, or as a respiratory therapist where there is plenty of patient contact without the large quantity of gooey body fluids and back pain. Sorry for the depressing feedback here, but if you're going into nursing you need to know the reality is not pretty. :twocents:

I completely, wholeheartedly agree.

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