As I anticipate starting a direct-entry program in the fall, I'm not too worried about the workload or the sleep deprivation or even being confronted with some very sad cases during clinicals. HOWEVER, what has got me anxious is my ability to handle the dirty (literally) side of nursing. While I don't consider myself a squeamish person, I'm not too confident in my ability to handle certain smells or clean intimate body parts, other than my own - oh, I could just see myself dry-heaving until my face and eyes are bloodshot! SMH......I'm starting a CNA course next week to get some experience and get my hands dirty prior to the fall. I know for most of you, Nursing was the first time you ever had to bathe another human being or were exposed to such smells and sights. How did you overcome the "oh, I think I'm going to be sick" of it all? I'm sure you get used to it after a while, just like changing your babies' poo-y diapers (I don't have kids, so I'm not experienced in this area either, although I do walk my mom's pekingnese from time to time and am ok with scooping up her poop.....although I know that doesn't compare LOL )!
I really don't want my sour stomach to get in the way of my dreams. So any tips you use to hold your breath, while keeping a calm friendly face, and not passing out, would be greatly appreciated!:)
Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.
Hall's Mentho-lytus coughdrops work for me. So do those little gelatin breath fresheners in the pack that's about 1x2x1/4". Pop a few of those in before going into a potential stinky zone and you're AOK because they're all you notice. I keep coughdrops in my pocket and if I run into an unexpected situation, use one (and offer one to the patient if they aren't restricted on what they can have--no need to explain the reason, just being sociable! ).
I totally get what dajulieness is saying. I'm a hospice nurse and do all one-on-one care and when I'm cleaning a patient all I try to think about is how much better they're going to feel when they're clean and how much better it will smell when I'm all done. It doesn't make the smell any better while I'm doing the job but mentally it helps me forget about the yuck in front of me. I can even smile and keep up a conversation while doing it now!! :)
This sounds stupid, but try menthol chapstick. Lots of it. Always keep it in your pocket. I actually hate menthol chapstick but I swear when you put it on, it's the only thing you can smell.
i DO use the menthol chapsticks, except i use it up my nares.
(don't worry, i don't use it back and forth.:))
i used to wear a mask and mouth-breathe...
but became self-conscious about offending the pt, so i stopped that practice.
i agree with mrsraisinkain, about the anticipation of getting the pts in a good, clean place.
I used to worry about that too, but everyone is right: you do get used to it, although everyone has something that turns her or his stomach.
I'm in my last semester of nursing school and used to secretly dread answering call lights, because who knew what awaited me in that room! Only yesterday, though, I helped a woman with her bath who was incontinent of stool and it didn't dawn on me until last night as I was mentally reviewing my day that it did not even faze me! I don't even remember when I stopped worrying about all the poop! In fact, before lunch one of my classmates had a patient with a GI bleed who had used the bsc and she was telling me all about the sight and the smell and she was saying, "You should've seen it!" and I was wishing I could have! How times change.
One thing, though, is that I can't mouth-breathe -- I'd rather smell it than taste it. :barf01:
I don't know what it's called, but I keep my mouth closed and breathe sort of through the back of my throat. I know it's technically through my nose but I seem to smell the more offensive smells a little less.
At work if we have a particularly smelly patient I smear tincture of benzoine over my mask. I don't find poo or urine that bad but really bad melena, gangrene etc I just can't control my gag reflex so I wear a mask.I don't mind wearing a mask, been wearing them nearly every day for the past 4 years
I'll get flamed for this and probably called uncaring but really isn't it being a bit precious to be offended by a nurse/health care worker wearing a mask? If you have gangrene, melena, or have something wrong with you that is causing you to smell REALLY bad you've probably got more things to worry about.
Apparently, a lot of people get use to incredibly foul smells. I think I am the only Nurse around that has not. I have mentioned this on AllNurses before and I will say it again: I have NEVER gotten use to the smell of feces. I will place tissue in my nostrils and if appropriate I will wear a mask, too. I have a very sensitive gag reflex. I cannot help it. It is just the way I am wired and I refuse to apologize for it.
I tried the cough drops Vicks, etc and the only thing that did for me was make me gag whenever I smelled cough drops or Vicks. For ME, smells evoke a very strong reaction to things that are not even there, but remind me of situations.
Good Luck! Not everyone has a iron stomach. I've made it through many years of Nursing w/ a strong gag-reflex, so it can be done.
PS: I am finding that more and more patients are accustomed to seeing masks worn by health care workers. Many patients see masks and gloves as extra protection from the Nurses germs. LOL! I'm asked by patients more and more often to use gloves and a mask. No problem.
Preparation is the key. After a bit of time has passed you will be accustomed to it and it will no longer bother you, but at first it will and it takes abit of getting used to so the best thing you can do is prepare. I used to rub vapor rub under my nostrils, a thin strip of it above my top lip. I could smell nothing but vapor rub then which was very helpful. I also know others that have used lavendar oil and eucalyptus oil in the same place for the same purpose. Next, this may sound weird, but maybe do a heap of google searches online for images of these gross things you will be encountering, and if you can somehow see them in reality as well then this would also be good, it will work to start to desensitise you to it all and hopefully prepare you for work.
I'm a block 1 student doing my first round of clinicals. So far I have been able to handle bm smells and wounds just fine, but for some reason pee really bothers me. Normal pee is fine, but you get really sick people with caths and kidney tubes. The pee has a strong odor and has "stuff" floating in it oftentimes. I had to empty lots of cath bags last week, more than I ever had before. I learned to bend down so the pt could not see my face while draining it, and to immediately walk to the bathroom to do the measuring. It's bad because you have to put it up on an eye level surface and look at the number while looking at the pee. Then I dump, flush, and compose myself before going back to the patient with a smile on my face.
Once, a pt's family member was talking to me while I was emptying the bag and I could not put my head down and hide my small starts of gags. So I closed it up, set the container under the bed, and ran to the bathroom sniffing a lot and saying I had to blow my nose, my allergies were awful. Then I composed and came out to finish the job.
I hope it gets easier-- but I still really LOVE being a nursing student. :)
Oh and I had to empty a huge wound drainage container (I mean, huge and very full) and measure and that was fun too.
SMH......I'm starting a CNA course next week to get some experience and get my hands dirty prior to the fall. I know for most of you, Nursing was the first time you ever had to bathe another human being or were exposed to such smells and sights. How did you overcome the "oh, I think I'm going to be sick" of it all? I'm sure you get used to it after a while, just like changing your babies' poo-y diapers (I don't have kids, so I'm not experienced in this area either, although I do walk my mom's pekingnese from time to time and am ok with scooping up her poop.....although I know that doesn't compare LOL 
)! 
Whispera, MSN, RN
3,458 Posts
Hall's Mentho-lytus coughdrops work for me. So do those little gelatin breath fresheners in the pack that's about 1x2x1/4". Pop a few of those in before going into a potential stinky zone and you're AOK because they're all you notice. I keep coughdrops in my pocket and if I run into an unexpected situation, use one (and offer one to the patient if they aren't restricted on what they can have--no need to explain the reason, just being sociable!
).