Just had my first day as a student nurse, advice needed....

Published

I am a student nurse and I just had my first day as a nurse yesterday and to be honest I didnt really enjoy it. Maybe I was being naive but I didnt expect so much poo and pee lol. Cleaning waste off of people all day isnt really what I thought I was signing up for. Im also uncomfortable with bed baths. I asked the nurse I was working under and she said thats pretty much part of the daily job. I am now wondering is it just the ward im on? (lots of older people) or if thats just some thing nurses deal with on a daily basis? If it is im not sure this job is for me... Anyway let me know what you think from your experiences, thanks for any advice smile.png

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

NO that is pretty much what nurses see....people of ALL ages pee and poop...just like you.

What did you think nursing was? what kind of ward was this? Are you outside the US? not that that really matters. Nurses care for patients...the whole patient...including bodily functions. There are areas that deal with less human excrement....but it is there just the same

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Yes nurses deal with all kinds of bodily fluids and yes washing people is part of the job.What were you expecting?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Yes nurses deal with all kinds of bodily fluids and yes washing people is part of the job.What were you expecting?

I know you guys are right, I mean that is what nursing is all about. The only way I can rationalize what im feeling is to say, the idea of washing people and cleaning excrement is ok. The reality of doing it is completely different. Im starting to doubt the wheter this is for me. Im just not sure I can see myself cleaning waste off of people for the rest of my life. Im a first year student... Is it time to cut my losses and get out now or give it time?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
NO that is pretty much what nurses see....people of ALL ages pee and poop...just like you.

What did you think nursing was? what kind of ward was this? Are you outside the US? not that that really matters. Nurses care for patients...the whole patient...including bodily functions. There are areas that deal with less human excrement....but it is there just the same

Im in Ireland. It was a surgical/medical ward. But to be honest it was mostly just older people that were quite unwell.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Health care is dealing with people that are unwell and a lot of them are older. There is really no way of getting around having to deal with it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Im in Ireland. It was a surgical/medical ward. But to be honest it was mostly just older people that were quite unwell.
Welcome to AN!

Odds have it that those who have the most illnesses are the elderly. I don't know how nursing works in Ireland but in the US we are generalist trained and specialize after school. In essence...any area you work will entail patient care everyday which will include baths and personal care of their needs, whether it is ICU, ED, or general medical. Peds will have some less offensive care objectives as they are small, parents bathe their children or are relatively independent, unless critically ill.

School nursing...which I don't knew if they have nurses in the school in Ireland might be an option after graduation...but I don't know the requirements in Ireland...here in the US it's BSN with a MSN preferred.

Maybe a clinic/doctors office....but while in school you are pretty much stuck. No one Likes poop..but it is a necessary part of the job.

There is NO shame if this really isn't for you...I think it is too soon to decide and you should ride it out a bit longer

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Welcome to AN!

Odds have it that those who have the most illnesses are the elderly. I don't know how nursing works in Ireland but in the US we are generalist trained and specialize after school. In essence...any area you work will entail patient care everyday which will include baths and personal care of their needs, whether it is ICU, ED, or general medical. Peds will have some less offensive care objectives as they are small, parents bathe their children or are relatively independent, unless critically ill.

School nursing...which I don't knew if they have nurses in the school in Ireland might be an option after graduation...but I don't know the requirements in Ireland...here in the US it's BSN with a MSN preferred.

Maybe a clinic/doctors office....but while in school you are pretty much stuck. No one Likes poop..but it is a necessary part of the job.

There is NO shame if this really isn't for you...I think it is too soon to decide and you should ride it out a bit longer

Thanks for your advice, really appreciate it. My next day in is in two days and im dreading it. Its touch and go whether il even go in... I have so much respect for nurses that do this job day in and day out.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

nursing is a tough profession....but don't give up too easy either....I wish you the very best ...what does your family think? What made you want to be a nurse in the first place....where did you see yourself in 5 years? maybe looking there might help give you answers

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

If you want to be a hospital or long term care nurse then yes you will deal with it regularly.

Other areas of nursing less so.

It is just fine if you do not want to continue. You are young and have tons of options.

Listen to your gut after you give it a little more time and see if the good outweighs the bad.

I would give it a little more time though so you get a chance to do some of the fun stuff. They always start students off doing, ahem, crap work. LOL.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I work at a nice clinic Mon- Thurs an don't have to deal with any of that stuff, however I spent 5 years in those type of settings to get here

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I wouldn't give in just yet.. Yes these things are common in nursing, but there are other things Nurses get to do that are a lot more fun.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion