How do you deal with feces???

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Hi everyone :D

I am currently studying to become an RN :D I am on my first placement in a nursing home which i am absolutely loving :lol2: however i do have one issue.... i GAG when i have to wipe feces from a bum on a patient that uses pads aka adult nappies but if they have done that themselves and i need to do the extra clean wipe then i am fine with that:uhoh3: Anyway i am just wondering if you have any ways i could deal with this? I have tried breathing thru my mouth but that makes it worse and i have tried sucking on a mint but it only works for a little bit :mad:

I know people say if you cant handle poo then you shouldn't be a nurse but the fact is i know you get used to it and i have already been told by many nurses on placement that i will be a great nurse :nurse:

Thank you all for your time :D:redbeathe

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Specializes in LTC.

Everyone has there thing that grosses them out. For me its sputum. As a nurse I have to look at the sputum for s/s of infection. I could never get used to it and still gag at times, it does not make me a bad nurse it makes me human. With the poop, just keep mints in your mouth and breath through your mouth. Try to get get good at it, the less time it takes you to clean the less time you have to look at it.

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

Ya every nurse seems to have their thing. I can deal with feces. Vomit on the other hand completely grosses me out . Eventually you just get used to dealing with it though.

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well the way I deal with feces is to wipe the tush, throw away the wipe or toilet paper and then wash my hands. Done deal. :) I have three kids though so I have dealt with all manner of poop and its not the thing that gets to me. Does it bother you to smell your own poop or just other peoples ? My advice is when you have to deal with poop get it done quickly and correctly then vamoose right out of there. Poop is just one of those unavoidable things. it has to happen! :( sorry and good luck with it

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Get a cat, you get used to dealing with all sorts of fun stuff really fast.

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Specializes in Med Surg - Renal.

I assume that you, like everybody, poop.

You are quite used to dealing with your own feces. In time, you will become quite accustomed to dealing with others'.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Flight.

gloves.

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You do get used to deal with poop, I have been a nursing assistant for 4 years & there are still times that I gag. That is not often though, you do get used to it though. I have heard of people putting vic's vapor rub under there nose, or just trying to get though it as quickly as possible (clean up the really stinky stuff, and throw it away, then go back and clean up a little better). i can deal with mostly anything except vomit or seeing people gagging. i can't deal with them, i end up gagging also.

it will be okay

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i have talked with many nurses, each who each have theyre own thing that makes them gag...everything from feces, to vomit, to sputum... it is OK to be grossed out by certain things, that doesnt mean you shouldnt be a nurse, it just takes some getting used to... I used to work as a CNA and i did not know how i was going to be able to handle wiping up feces, until after doing it a few times and it got a lot easier. Also i heard that a little bit of vicks vapor rub under the nose helps with smell! good luck!

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You will get used to it.

For me it sputum. GAG!

:barf02:

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Specializes in ICU + Infection Prevention.

Repeat after me: "Poop is my new best friend. Poop loves me! I love poop!"

Seriously, gloves, gum, and vicks.

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Specializes in Home Health.

Been an RN for 26 years, my problem too is sputum. Absolutely cannot deal with it!

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