ponymom 385 Posts Nov 17, 2014 I changed before leaving the nh, standing on newspaper, pulling of my scrubs inside-out even. I felt *filthy* after a shift, just *icky*. I wore my shoes out to my vehicle, but changed into 'home' footwear out in the parking lot, and kept my nh shoes in a repurposed cat litter pan in the vehicle, and commonly Lysoled and Cavi-wiped them. They never went into my home. Kept the winter coat in the cellar. Washed my scrubs in Pine-sol and hot water, dried them on 'sanitize'. Walked inside my door and straight to the shower, no matter what time it was.In my factory job I enjoy nowadays, I don't feel anywhere near as dirty.
loriangel14, RN 6,931 Posts Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative. Nov 17, 2014 Nope. I go home and take off my scubs, jammies on and into bed. i shower when I get up.
allnurses Guide nursel56 7,058 Posts Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty. Has 47 years experience. Nov 17, 2014 The only thing I "caught" at the hospital was a night of continuous barfing from some cafeteria creamed spinach that went bad. This generally shocks many people, but we rarely wore gloves at all in the olden days. We washed our hands before and after any contact with the patient. When I worked in a clinic I was exposed to every yuck rhinovirus going around the workplace, the schoolyard and parts unknown to me the patient may have gone....guess I developed some kick*ss immunity there.And cayenne is right about private duty homes (I personally draw the line at bugs) but what continually amazes me is that some of my clients live in these environments, some have visible grime on their vent circuit components and all sorts of horrors yet do not have high rates of upper respiratory infections.I shower once or twice a day and wash my hair every day and change clothes when I get home but those things I do for my comfort and as a "close out the workday" ritual.I really wouldn't worry if you follow appropriate precautions OP! Best wishes!
allnurses Guide JBudd, MSN 1 Article; 3,836 Posts Specializes in Trauma, Teaching. Has 42 years experience. Nov 17, 2014 Nope. I go home and take off my scubs, jammies on and into bed. i shower when I get up.Same here. Minus the jammies
That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B 3,421 Posts Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab. Has 6 years experience. Nov 17, 2014 The only time I shower is if I had a particularly gooey night. Spit, pee, vomit, blood, brain, whatever. I wear the proper PPE but sometimes it just gets to you having someones snot running down your forearm when you least expect it
wanderlustnurse88, RN 198 Posts Specializes in OR/PACU/med surg/LTC. Has 12 years experience. Nov 17, 2014 The only time I've showed right away after work was when we were in outbreak for norovirus in the nursing home. I felt so gross afterwards and I really did not want to get sick as well.
bb007rn 74 Posts Specializes in Emergency room, Neurosurgery ICU. Has 10 years experience. Nov 17, 2014 I show before I go in to work, always have. I wash my hair 3xs a week. I work nights then come home wash face, hands and feet (I've got a thing about cleaning my feet before I go to sleep) then grab some "breakfast" and go to sleep.I NEVER use antibacterial soap except at work! Here are the reasons why:Five Reasons Why You Should Probably Stop Using Antibacterial Soap | Science | SmithsonianFDA Taking Closer Look at 'Antibacterial' Soap
K+MgSO4, BSN 1,753 Posts Specializes in Surgical, quality,management. Has 12 years experience. Nov 17, 2014 As long as you tie your hair back there is no need to wash it any more than usual. I chuck my scrubs in the hamper and jammies on or if I am feeling keen gym gear! The only time I rush for the shower is usually if as the charge nurse I have escorted to IR and spent 4 hours in lead and a sterile gown. Sweaty Betty!!!
CardiacKittyRN 144 Posts Specializes in Cardiac. Has 1 years experience. Nov 17, 2014 I don't really do anything special. I agree with everyone saying you're more likely to get exposed elsewhere. I do always wash my face and pull up hair and just throw the scrubs in with the other laundry. If it's been a particularly rough night, I will shower, but usually not. Oh and I do use antibacterial soap, but not really because of a germ fear, but because i just feel cleaner after using it haha.
Red Kryptonite 2,212 Posts Specializes in hospice. Has 3 years experience. Nov 17, 2014 Oh and I do use antibacterial soap, but not really because of a germ fear, but because i just feel cleaner after using it haha.Antibacterial soaps, and their explosion into general use, have been identified as one of the causes of more resistant bacteria. I really wish people would stop using them, and someone in health care should really know better.
applewhitern, BSN, RN 1,871 Posts Specializes in ICU. Has 30 years experience. Nov 17, 2014 The only thing I do is frequent handwashing, especially after shopping or going around in public places. I wash my fresh fruit and vegetables very well before I eat them. I don't eat undercooked meats, nor do I eat raw cookie dough, etc. My scrubs get washed with regular detergent and cold water, but dried with heat. My work shoes get run thru the washer every week. I never get sick.
TheCommuter, BSN, RN 226 Articles; 27,608 Posts Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych. Has 17 years experience. Nov 17, 2014 Antibacterial soaps, and their explosion into general use, have been identified as one of the causes of more resistant bacteria. I really wish people would stop using them, and someone in health care should really know better.Your point is salient. No antibacterial soaps, foam or hand sanitizer can be found in my house. The more we use these items, the more resistant the microorganisms in our lives will become.At home I shower using plain soap or body wash. I wash my hands using plain soap when at home.
