Is hospital nursing an unbearably dirty job?

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  1. Is nursing an unbearably, dirty job?

    • 17
      Yes
    • 32
      No

49 members have participated

I started nursing clinicals and I have encountered poop, pee, vomit, mucus, etc. I was a CNA for 2 years and loved it, so this doesn't bother me, but one of my nursing friends who graduated claims that she's seen so much "dirty" stuff that she quit working at the hospital to work in a clinic. For example, she says that she no longer even had an appetite. This has to be an exaggeration, right? Comments appreciated.

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I started nursing clinicals and I have encountered poop, pee, vomit, mucus, etc. I was a CNA for 2 years and loved it, so this doesn't bother me, but one of my nursing friends who graduated claims that she's seen so much "dirty" stuff that she quit working at the hospital to work in a clinic. For example, she says that she no longer even had an appetite. This has to be an exaggeration, right? Comments appreciated.

Working as a nurse isn't any more "dirty" than working as a CNA. If you've been a CNA for two years without a problem, I don't see why it would become problematic for you in your future nursing career.

To be honest I think "dirty" is a strange choice of words. I mean, you do use various protective gear so most of the time you don't get stuff on you. Personally, I can only recall two occasions. One involving a rather unexpected projectile Norovirus "eruption" and another a rather agitated and unexpectedly agile patient with an impressive arterial bleed. I normally have good reflexes and am quite good at ducking out of harm's way, but these two caught me off guard.. :wtf: :yuck:

As to your friend, we're all different. Perhaps it is unbearable for her. It's unfortunate and a bit odd that she only realized this after she completed her nursing education. I have to wonder though, if she genuinely finds it unbearable which is a pretty intense feeling, if there aren't other factors that have contributed to her negative feelings towards hospital nursing.

I have to admit, that for me personally, a part of the appeal of the field I've chosen to specialize in, is that I seldom/never have to deal with poop. I do regard that as a definite plus.

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What's going to happen to your friend when she has a baby? Or a pet? Or an ill family member?

No it's not unbearably dirty. The stress, bad hours, etc. can be unbearable.

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You actually loved working as a CNA? I wonder why so many people complain about the job.

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Your friend is a drama queen.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

"Dirty" yes, "unbearable" no. If people can be forensic pathologists, crime scene cleaners, sanitation workers.... or going back in history, tanners and fullers or makers of pre-indigo blue and purple cloth :barf02::barf02::barf02::barf02: AND manage to not die of lost appetite..........

Clearly a little poop can be borne.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
Your friend is a drama queen.

^^^ With Snowflake tendencies methinks.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.
Your friend is a drama queen.

Probably one of those snowflakes who think an RN license comes with a team of poop minions. :whistling:

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.
^^^ With Snowflake tendencies methinks.

we think alike! I didn't see this before using the term "snowflake" :laugh:

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It's unfortunate and a bit odd that she only realized this after she completed her nursing education.

Right?

I know it takes all kinds, so-to-speak, but it's interesting that someone who would chronically lose her appetite because of general nursing encounters would ever have been interested in nursing in the first place.

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Not the job for her...

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It is a dirty job. Thats exactly why I have absolutely no interest in working as a rn.

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