What are your duties when working in SICU?

[Gisele]

Hi everyone, I want to become a CRNA and was told that I should spend a few yrs. in SICU. I was reading in the general discussion stories about poop, vomit, and mucous. I don't think I can deal with those kinds of substances, even if I tried. My question is do you have to deal directly with these substances? Or do you have assistants that take care of these substances? Some insight on this issue would be extremely helpful,thanks.

[sharann, BSN, RN]

If bedpans were only the worst part of my job.

My worst is when someone has that GI bleed smell. I know it's not their fault, and I don't ever let on, but inside I am puking.

[suetje]

Are you for real???? Of COURSE we deal directly with these things! who else would?? How would you assess your pt. if you are not around to see what is going on? Sound like you are not in the proper line of work. If you want clean work, sit at a desk.

[CCURN]

It is a very important assessment tool that a nurse has to be involved with the messy aspects of nursing. It can tell you alot about a patient, and as you will find out, as a CRNA you will be involved with those messy substances also.

You cant intubate a patient with a mouthfull of vomit. Sounds like you need to shadow a RN and CRNA to find out what it is all about.

Good luck.