How did you get through your first bed bath?

I am a clinical instructor for a group of students who will have to do bed baths on "real" folks next week. They have practiced on each other, but of course did not wash breasts or genitals. They are expressing how freaked out they are about this. I'm not so out of touch as to not recall my own fears, but what I wonder is how you as students managed your first time? Was there anything your instructor did to help (besides allowing them ample time to discuss their fears)? Part of me feels they just need to jump in and do it, sink or swim sydrome, but I want them to have a successful experience, so to that end I would appreciate your input.

I was a CST while in my ADN program, so the bed bath intervention was no biggie to me. Although, it is a little different in the OR d/t patients are draped and under local mac, or general anesthesia. Nevertheless, I was use to the "naked" patient and never had an issue giving a patient a bed bath during my ADN program, or when I worked on the Telemetry Unit, or ICU.

Anyway, draping out a surgical patient on the OR bed can be considered similar to towel draping a med/surg pateint for a bed bath. For example, the bed bath patient is covered with a towel, or sheet, except for the exposed area to be wiped. In no way is this an intimate type thing, besides those patients that are unable to wipe themselves in the "private areas" are usually grateful for the opportunity to be cleaned up. I tried to involve the patient with his/her own bed bath as much as possible. They would leave there backside, and feet for me to clean during a bed bath, and they would do the other areas.

BTW, you must be an awesome clinical instructor for posting this Thread. You obviously have a genuine interest in the success of your students.

Me - I just wung it. Think it took me about two hours though. You might have them pair up for bed baths. I've always found bathing patients much more fun with a friend. And two heads are always better than one when you're both unsure of yourselves.... Just a thought. :icon_hug:

I agree on pairing up. I am a first semester student and did my first shower today. I was scared to death. I am *really* glad our instructor made us do it. After it was over I was 500 percent more confident then I had been. Pushing us out of our comfort zone was the best thing she could have done. I expect she will keep doing it :chair:

Me - I just wung it. Think it took me about two hours though. You might have them pair up for bed baths. I've always found bathing patients much more fun with a friend. And two heads are always better than one when you're both unsure of yourselves.... Just a thought. :icon_hug:

As a student who is also very nervous about this-I think this is a GREAT idea!

As a student who is also very nervous about this-I think this is a GREAT idea!

Well, maybe so... however, how realistic is "pairing up" when as a nursing student you will each be assigned one patient, then by the end of the program worked your way up to at least 4 patients.

On the otherhand, taking a patient to the shower becomes a safety issue & "pairing up" w/another classmate, or CNA is very realistic.

I just gave my first bed bath on Weds! We had gone over the basics on our dummies during skills lab but never practiced on each other at all (we don't do any of our skills or assessments on fellow students). It's funny that you talk about them being afraid - it didn't even bother me. Maybe it was the years taking care of my grandmother and my daughter. I did have a partner - but that was more of a time issue. Our instructor knew it would take us "newbies" a little longer Just remind them that their patients are human and actually enjoy the attention given during a bath. Okay, most of them do. Oh yeah....and you can't screw up a bed bath too much. Get everything you need or think you'll need before you start (this is also where the partner helps - someone can run and get that one thing you did forget ) Keep the patient covered except for the area being washed, wash all the skin, and do pericare last. Hope that helps some. Now back to my drug dosage calcs!

I have given serious thought to the idea of pairing up - my concern for this idea is twofold. One- the person who is slightly more comfortable may end up taking the lead and washing the scary areas, while the other lets them. My other concern is that being brand new and nervous and perhaps not great at communicating with patients, they might chit chat OVER the patient and maybe sort of ignore them. Bathing somene is such an intimate exercise I worry that the person in the bed gets lost. What do you all think?

I'm new to teaching clinical and I really want the students to have a fabulous experience. I appreciate your genuine responses and ideas... thanks.

I have given serious thought to the idea of pairing up - my concern for this idea is twofold. One- the person who is slightly more comfortable may end up taking the lead and washing the scary areas, while the other lets them. My other concern is that being brand new and nervous and perhaps not great at communicating with patients, they might chit chat OVER the patient and maybe sort of ignore them. Bathing somene is such an intimate exercise I worry that the person in the bed gets lost. What do you all think?

I'm new to teaching clinical and I really want the students to have a fabulous experience. I appreciate your genuine responses and ideas... thanks.

I think letting them pair up the first time is ok. After my partner and I paired up today on a few things, we both felt more confident and, on our own initiative, went our separate ways. Nursing students know they have to learn this stuff. I wouldn't let them pair up past the second day of clinicals, though.

I really don't think you should worry about chit chat. Chit chatting isn't something nervous people do while giving a bed bath - it is something jaded and bored people do while giving a bed bath. We are all so attentive to patients right now - I can't imagine us chit chatting over them - if anything we are getting on their nerves with checking in on them so much.

Oh and one other thing - our instructor brought us treats this morning at our pre-conference - donuts. I know that sounds silly, but we were all so nervous and when she made that nurturing gesture, we were all so relieved. It really sent a message that this was going to be a caring, good experience, not scary.

Good point

We brought treats for the staff and have a plan set up to this all quarter.

I have given serious thought to the idea of pairing up - my concern for this idea is twofold. One- the person who is slightly more comfortable may end up taking the lead and washing the scary areas, while the other lets them. My other concern is that being brand new and nervous and perhaps not great at communicating with patients, they might chit chat OVER the patient and maybe sort of ignore them. Bathing somene is such an intimate exercise I worry that the person in the bed gets lost. What do you all think?

I'm new to teaching clinical and I really want the students to have a fabulous experience. I appreciate your genuine responses and ideas... thanks.

I agree with the idle chit chat concern, cause I've seen such before. Whereas, if it is just one caregiver doing the bed bath, then focus can be on doing a visual type physical assessment while conducting the bed bath. Plus, if the nursing student can get the patient to open up verbally a "nurse-patient" bond can be formed.

BTW, Seattle is a beautiful city!

I agree with the idle chit chat concern, cause I've seen such before. Whereas, if it is just one caregiver doing the bed bath, then focus can be on doing a visual type physical assessment while conducting the bed bath. Plus, if the nursing student can get the patient to open up verbally a "nurse-patient" bond can be formed.

BTW, Seattle is a beautiful city!

Hey, you're so right- Seattle IS a beautiful city. Thanks for the great pic.

On the subject of bed baths, was never a biggie for me even in the beginning. I always saw it as just another part of patient care. My advice for students is to just do it. The naked body isn't such a big deal so don't stress over it. It is a good time to make assessments, and if you must talk see if the patient is willing to do so. You can learn alot about their situations in and out of the hospital and can then better care for them.

For those students who are squeamish, get over it. We all came into this life without clothes and we may at some time, find ourselves 'baring all' in the event of illness or accident. You would want a bath to feel better - and so do your patients. If a bed bath freaks you out, what is going to happen when you see other things (emesis, sputum, stool)....Its all a part of life.