Bed bath hell

Nursing Students General Students

Published

Ok so a bed bath isnt hard right? Well it is when you get marked off at a skills test for say forgeting to do things in the correct order or forgetting to get something.

Our bed bath skills test is next week and we have 40 minutes to complete a full bed bath/ skin assesment at the same time and then make the occupied bed.

40 minutes! of your every move being examined!

Its so crazy, Im usually the only one freaked out ( I think) but in nursing school you look around and everyone is terrified. Visibly terrified.

So anyway thats just part of going to nursing school I guess, I'll live. Maybe.

Ive just been like a deer frozen in headlights ever since school started last week.

Heh, this reminds me of my first semester. I spend almost the whole morning with my patient! It takes practice. Thats all.... I got a job as a nurse assistant, and that helped me become quicker and more confident.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I feel your pain.. I have the same skills test next week!

We have a skills test on washing our hands, and I am freaked out about that.. duh, I know how to wash my hands!! I am leaving my rings at home the day of my skills test, because I know I will forget to say, "removed jewelry" and fail!

Sigh...I remember that handwashing skill well. I believe it was my first one. It seems like so long ago even though it's only been a year. I know the stress you're feeling, but practice, practice, practice any skill, even if it is just the handwashing. And believe me....you'll never wash your hands the same way again. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hi FNPhopeful.. I have my "demonstration", as my school calls it, to test off in front off my professors this Monday morning.. talk about performance anxiety.. so I feel your pain! Handwashing, gloving, bedbath, and occupied bedmaking.. the lab was open all week for us to come in and practice but I still don't feel prepared.. this weekend is going to be all about studying! I keep telling myself that this is as basic as it is going to get.. so I better get it straight.. but I am very nervous to be "on stage", as it feels like. Just wanted to wish you good luck.. I think we'll be okay!! :)

If you feel like you're on stage then become an actress. Now..I know this sounds funny, BUT I would always "reheorifice" my skill steps and recite them aloud (minus the drama) like I was an actress in a play. This helped me learn better and eased my nerves when performing in front of your instructor. Take deep breaths always and focus!! Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

For our return dem of bedbaths we actually gave a bb to a partner (in shorts and a t-shirt). And as it turned out, 4 of us went at one time while the teacher just watched us all. That made it a little less stressful. Also it helped to do a little role playing with my partner, made for good conversation, and being confident gave the teacher the impression i knew what i was doing. (even though i completely forgot to wash my "patients" back! oops)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB.

good luck, just practice, its not too terrible! My defining moment came right outta the chute, first semester giving a bed bath to an amputee, he lost an arm and a leg, on opposite sides, hard to turn and position, plus he was MRSA so I was gowned up in ALL the gear. I swear I lost 7 lbs in the time it took me to get him and his bed all clean!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Oh goodness, I remember that. Like everyone said, practice is the name of the game. Go over the steps again and again using whatever study techniques work for you. I basically just mimed it at home and recited the steps. I got so worked up about it but it turned out to not be too bad at all. There were several groups demonstrating at one time so the focus wasn't always on me (which definitely helped me relax and realize that I KNOW this and it's not a big deal). I was so worried about making my occupied bed because we took turns. I laid on the bed first while my partner made the bed and then we switched. My partner had trouble and took nearly the entire class to make the bed. I was freaking out because that gave me no time to do my demonstration but the instructor and my partner stayed after class so I could do it. Skills demonstrations always stress me out but it always turns out to be not as bad as I thought :) Good luck! I'm sure you'll do great.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

Just wanted to update this thing.. I had my demonstration this morning.. and I passed! Guess I'm going to have to go to nursing school after all.. :) Good luck to everyone!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congrats!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

FNPHopeful-- did you have your bed bath check off yet??? if so how did it go???

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Just wanted to update this thing.. I had my demonstration this morning.. and I passed! Guess I'm going to have to go to nursing school after all.. :) Good luck to everyone!!

GREAT JOB!!! I had my handwashing/positioning/bedbath check off today....FAILED HANDWASHING ( I wiped dry from dirty to clean once) so I have to re-do it next lab. Then me and my partner struggled so bad with positioning, mostly myself. I know what to do I just get so nervous in front of my instructor.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Dialysis.

The worst part is demostrating the bed bath in class, once you get into the hospital no one will be watching your every move. I am a tech at a hospital and can do a bed bath in under 5 minutes, so it will get better. Once you pass the test you can relax overing bathing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
FNPHopeful-- did you have your bed bath check off yet??? if so how did it go???

No not yet! Tommorrow or Wednesday, I think Im just gonna stop stressing and just do it, (like Nike says LOL)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment