How do you get over the smells?

[flipper4u]

I'm thinking about becoming a CNA. I have cared for one of my parents for 8 years. He has COPD, heart disease, is diabetic and is on a catheter. I'm comfortable with giving injections and meds and the sight of blood doesn't bother me at all. I love caring for him and all people in general. My only problem is that when he has to stay in the hospital, I have a very low tolerance to the smell of urine and feces. How do I over come this?

I'd greatly appreciate any advice.

flipper

[TiggerBelly]

Some people handle it very well,others not so much. I work with one girl who is leaving the floor because she simply can not handle it anymore. To me I don't focus on what I am cleaning up, just why I am cleaning it up and how much better the patient will feel after I am done. If you can get someone to help you, it goes twice as fast and the sooner you can get it done. And don't get discouraged if you don't handle it as much as you would like to. There are other aspects of the job besides urine and stool. Try to focus on the other things. Good Luck

[casi, ASN, RN]

I've learned to focus on the patient and the task, not the smells or grossness.

Quite honestly I think that after so many times of cleaning stuff up it just kinda stopped bugging me.

[Katie89]

Like others have said, if it doesn't literally make you vomit or gag, just tough it out and eventually it won't bother you anymore (or at least not nearly as much.) Otherwise/until then, a tip I learned back in CNA class: pop into the bathroom before toileting/changing/cleaning someone and put a bit of Vicks Vap O Rub under your nose! It masks the smell. :)

[love_being_an_aide]

The Vicks Vap O Rub works like a charm! I usually put it under my nose when I have to empty out a colostomy. If i'm cleaning up an incontinent patient, I use Peri-Spray or lots of soap and water, and that helps to lower the intensity of the smell. Also, if your place of work has a smell neutralizer, like M9 or something, use that as well. It helps to take care of the odor. Sometimes you just have to tough it out, and realize that not only is it bad for you, but for the patient as well. Good luck.

[pandacakes]

It may sound like a joke, but learn to breathe through your mouth. Sometimes wearing a face mask helps if you can get away with it.

[egglady, LPN]

You arent even a CNA and give injections and meds? Just out of curiosity, what exactly are your credentials? And, yes, you do eventually get used to some smells, but after many years as a nurse I absolutley hate the smell of puke!!!! :)

[fadedstars34]

Yes you do, everyone just reacts to it different. I like everyone else has stated here just try and focus on the person and how good I am doing.

Even still myself if I have had a really bad day with my stomach or something, I might have to stifle a gag here and there. I just use lots of soap.

I also have become very good at breathing out of my mouth, it works like a charm.

[BL7162]

In Idaho when you are working as a CNA for an Agency etc. you are not able to give injections! Regarding the smells.....a small dab of Vicks Vapor Rub on a Q-tip just inside the nose is what most caregivers use. Good luck. Nurse Barb, former CNA

[Munchkin315]

You arent even a CNA and give injections and meds? Just out of curiosity, what exactly are your credentials? And, yes, you do eventually get used to some smells, but after many years as a nurse I absolutley hate the smell of puke!!!! :)

I think she is talking about doing that with her father. My SO is type 1 and i give him his insulin shots and meds daily. I am taking CNA training right now, but I am already comfortible with giving injections becuase I have been doing it for so long. It might not be something that I can do with my CNA training, but that doesn't mean that I can not do it for my SO and be comfortible with it. If that makes any sense lol.