Is this nursing?

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As a nursing student studying in Africa...i think we are getting more then we bargained for,,,

is it the job of the nurse to give and empty bed pans and urinals??? and change adult pampers?...

Is it like this in other parts of the world?

Goin into nursing after a BSc in political science. i really did not know what to expect (i was only told it was more lucrative )and so far...it has been nothing short of exciting, revealing and life changing.

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Huh???? I don't get it

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As a nursing student studying in Africa...i think we are getting more then we bargained for,,,

is it the job of the nurse to give and empty bed pans and urinals??? and change adult pampers?...

Is it like this in other parts of the world?

Goin into nursing after a BSc in political science. i really did not know what to expect (i was only told it was more lucrative )and so far...it has been nothing short of exciting, revealing and life changing.

Yes, what you listed are all Nursing tasks in other parts of the world.

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To answer your question, yes, that is the very core and basics of nursing. It is pt care. Regardless of whether you are passing meds, or assisting to the restroom, you are nursing that person back to a healthy state. No you won't always get those wonderful moments when everything is exciting and goes perfect. You will have to change a bed pan of 20 because your assistant is busy with her 8 other pts, or you will have to wipe the bottom of a 50 year old man, because he can no longer do it for himself, and he has no one else that can do it for him. However, when one of your pts grabs your hand, as you are about to walk out the door for the night, and says "Thank you, you were so great to me" it makes the icky things worth it.

Just remember, as a nurse you are taking care of someone in their most vulnerable point in life. It is your job not only to get them out of your care alive, but better off then you got them, both physically and mentally.

Just a note...if you want lucrative maybe nursing isn't for you. Sure the hours are nice and so is the pay, but I wouldn't consider it a cash cow. It is however a job you can be proud to say you have .....just my 2 cents :)

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While assisting the patient with bedpans and baths, etc. are usually done by CNAs or other assistants here in the US, it's also the responsibility of the nurse. Sometimes nursing isn't about giving injections and hanging IV lines, there are times that it is about total patient care...

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Mom&wifetoo - so perfectly said =)

Nursing is about holistic care. Providing care to the whole person. Mind, body and everything in between. Yes in some places it is the nurses assistants job to change pampers and bed pans however everywhere is is the nurses responsibility for that patient be completely taken care of whatever the case may be =)

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