Hi everybody, I'm Jenna and I'm a senior nursing student. I'll be graduating in may. Currently, I'm a clinical assistant on a post partum unit which I absolutely love. In school, I'm on a post-surgical cardiothoracic stepdown telemetry unit. We have a wide variety of patients there. Even though cardiothoracic surgery isn't my area of interest, I'll be doing clinicals on this unit for the next few months.
Many a time, we have incontinent patients or patients who are using a bedside commode. Even though I work with babies at my job, I cannot deal with adult poop! I don't know what it is, but I gag, dry heave, and my eyes water. I don't, of course, do this in front of the patient, but as soon as I go to empty the commode I can't help but heave. I need to over come this, it's like my kryptonite, but I don't know what to do! Please help.
I like Vicks I learned that trick last week in clinical . I actually have to pick up some tonight. I am also gonna grab a thing of the Altoids Smalls so they'll fit easily in my uniform top.
Smells have never bothered me like that. I remember being in the OR for an observation and all of the nurses around me were waiting for me to feel nauseous or sick when they were cauterizing the skin. I was fascinated and stayed on two feet, smell or not!
While smells are not a *good* thing necessarily, they are an important part of assessment when it comes to infection. Nothing like the smell of a ripe lady partsl infection. I can deal with it as part of the job. I suppose that if it's enough to make you gag and heave though, you're better off masking it.
Specializes in Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Thank you for all the replies! i didn't even realize there were so many until I checked today. I really appreciate it. I'm definitely going to have to try the Vicks thing as well as the altoids :)
I carry a mask with me. Usually, that alone is enough to cut down on the smell to where it doesn't gag me. If that doesn't work, put a little dab of toothpaste on the inside of the mask and you won't smell a thing.
This is hard for me too. I am going to try the Vicks and the mints. I LOVE the smell of skunks (smells like Starbucks coffee to me), but I feel physically ill when I have to deal with the smells (and sights) of poop, especially when it is all over things and they have to be cleaned. Definitely my kryptonite as well, JMERE311. I can totally feel your pain. As to the mustache comment, that is too funny! And the comment about holding your breath and breathing thru the mouth and tasting it, SOOOOO Been there and done that. It is awful. I try to see the patient instead of focusing on the sight or smell. Sometimes, the sensory overload is OVERWHELMING to the rate of infinity, though.
I don't, of course, do this in front of the patient, but as soon as I go to empty the commode I can't help but heave. I need to over come this, it's like my kryptonite, but I don't know what to do! Please help. 
kchandler76
101 Posts
I like Vicks I learned that trick last week in clinical . I actually have to pick up some tonight. I am also gonna grab a thing of the Altoids Smalls so they'll fit easily in my uniform top.