bed making class?

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Sep 4, 2003

I make beds all the time, both occupied and unoccupied, and I've never thought myself to be above such a task. I also fluff pillows, serve food and drinks, and fill water pitchers. Sure, I've got other things to worry about, but I don't always have a CNA working with me, and even when I do, I take care of patients' requests myself whenever I can. Besides, what's more important than patient comfort, assuming there's no code or other emergency in progress?

ibmissy · Sep 4, 2003

Bedmaking is a basic nursing skill. You learn the basics before anything else. Though I am an LPN student not an RN student, all nurses needs to know all the parts of nursing.

Currently I am a CNA. I chose that route, before becoming a nurse, because I wanted to work my way up and understand where others were coming from. I am glad I did. It's kept me from being narrowminded about things and I've learned all about empathy. When I become an LPN, if a resident needs a bedpan, I will assist them instead of hunting down a CNA to do it, like some nurses do. There are RN's at my work who aren't afraid to put someone on a bedpan or change a persons dirty pad.

I am a licensed professional now...I make beds, wipe heinys, clean up vomit and help the elderly with their basic daily living skills. An RN should know and experience the professional people's job under them(CNA's LPN's, etc). And yes, your statement did come off as being snotty. Sorry if I sound harsh, but you need to learn that all aspects of nursing including making beds, is an important part of your job.

Originally posted by twarlik
I just started the nursing program last week and tonight we talked about bed making (among other things). The entire time I was just sitting there thinking that it was the silliest class. I hate to sound snotty, but I don't really understand why a licensed professional like an RN should have to make the beds. The RN has so much more to worry about, why should the correct pleating of a sheet be one of those things???? Hopefully I'll never have to worry about making a hospital bed once I'm in the real world.
Do any of you feel this way?

happystudent, RN · Sep 4, 2003

Todd...Todd...Todd:chuckle :saint:

msrn · Sep 4, 2003

When you get your nursing license and start work, even the most basic of skills will be needed. There will be times when the only staff available are RNs, or the unlicensed personnel will be busy; then, you WILL have to make a bed or two.

shyne · Sep 4, 2003

I don't mind doing things like that, it's part of the job. I guess it depends where you would work though, I know lots of RN's who take on patients in their unit and are expected to perform these duties.

NICU_Nurse, BSN, RN · Sep 4, 2003

Originally posted by twarlik
I hate to sound snotty, but I don't really understand why a licensed professional like an RN should have to make the beds. Hopefully I'll never have to worry about making a hospital bed once I'm in the real world.

If "real world" means not in nursing, then you're in luck.

You most certainly will be making beds at some point (if not often) during your career. The good news is bountiful though. First of all, it's easy. Military corners are easy once you get the hang of it and you'll soon find yourself a pro. Secondly, bed-making takes a backseat to the ABC's. Ultimately, you'll never lose a job over a badly made bed. However, a neat, clean, presentable room is appealing to your patient and is to them an aesthetic indicator, like it or not, of what type of care they will receive. No harm in getting off on the right foot, right?

Nursing is multi-tasking at it's best. Your job will include paperwork, restocking, ordering supplies, making phone calls, fetching juice, making beds, wiping brows, and even taking out the trash (and if you don't believe me, take a good long look at your job description before you get hired on at the hospital). We all work together with every single department to ensure the best possible stay for our patients, and a positive attitude goes a long way. Not to mention if you come off "snotty" about it to the CNA's who are working under you, you're suddenly going to find them a lot less helpful. Nobody likes to be told (or have it implied that) their job duties are beneath another's.

Good luck in school! :)

Reesa23 · Sep 4, 2003

If you go into home health care where will your CNA be to make that bed for you? No where. It's all on you.

twarlik · Sep 4, 2003

I appreciate everyone sharing their opinions. I suppose I'm just having a problem dealing with the idea that housekeeping issues, like making the bed, are often the responsibility of the RN. Guess this will just be something I need to work through.

Thank you again.

Todd

FutureNurse2005 · Sep 4, 2003

at my local hospital, the volunteers make the beds. However, there are times when the volunteer just cannot do them all and the nurses have to step in and help out.

manna, BSN, RN · Sep 4, 2003

Todd - I think I can kind of understand where you are coming from. It seems that many websites in particular (this one is an exception) seem to portray nursing to be more glamorous than it actually is ... they forget to mention that part of nursing is dealing with irate patients/family, cleaning up all manner of bodily fluids, changing beds, etc. (of course I'm not a nurse yet, but this is what I've heard anyway)

This actually has me a little frightened of pursuing a nursing degree.. I'm not so good with the "yuck" factor and don't know how well I'll handle some of those other tasks... I'm hoping that I'll just get over it and realize that it's all part of helping people, but I don't know. It doesn't help that when I went and shadowed in the radiology department (for application to RT school) that the Rad nurse vehemently told me NOT to go into nursing (of course, that's just one person's opinion, but still... it left a lasting impression)

Louie18 · Sep 4, 2003

My first bed making day was what I thought a cakewalk. So I go and collect all of my bedding and come back to an empty room. No bed, No patient, NADA.

First thing I thought was I killed her taking her vitals.

Needless to say she went for tests but hey, I was only a student, why tell me?