My First Clinical Experience!

[scaredofshots]

my very first clinical rotation was the only time i had ever been in a patient's room without flowers or balloons! we were told to do the vital signs, bed bath, change bed, get ice, get water, etc...i was fine with everything except the give bath part! i just was not ready or felt like i had reached the time in my life where i could see another person nude without laughing or turning red or worse. so anyway. for the entire first year i would go into my patients room and say "hello, my name is __ i will be your student nurse for today. i will need to take your vital signs and later i will change your sheets. if you need water or ice i will be glad to help you. i can see that you don't need a bath but if you need one tomorrow you can ask your nurse." this worked every time. (i was bad wasen't i!?!!?!) if my instructor ever asked if i had finished giving the bath i would say "my patient says they will wait till tomorrow" or "they did not want one today":behindpc:

[Chiefy]

Are you still in school or are you working now?

[tamari07]

I remember my first experience as a tech when I had to give a bath... I was scared to death. But I learned that the biggest key is to act professional about it. They know they're in the hospital and will lose most of their dignity by being completely nude in front of strangers. Just be casual and ask them if they'd prefer to do it themselves or take a shower or have your assistance. If they do want your assistance, just be professional and courteous. A lot of times they can wash themselves off and just need assistance with their gown and such. As a nurse you're going to have to give a lot of baths.. .so just get used to it now! Just jump in there and help as much as you can. Your patients will be grateful.

[scaredofshots]

I remember my first experience as a tech when I had to give a bath... I was scared to death. But I learned that the biggest key is to act professional about it. They know they're in the hospital and will lose most of their dignity by being completely nude in front of strangers. Just be casual and ask them if they'd prefer to do it themselves or take a shower or have your assistance. If they do want your assistance, just be professional and courteous. A lot of times they can wash themselves off and just need assistance with their gown and such. As a nurse you're going to have to give a lot of baths.. .so just get used to it now! Just jump in there and help as much as you can. Your patients will be grateful.

I am now a second year nursing student and since I have gotten a job as a nurse extern I have been able to give many baths... lol In fact one day I washed this guy so good that he asked if I would be back the next day because I made him feel so relaxed... (I rubbed lotion on his back) his wife wanted me to teach her what I was doing (I thought that was funny).

[RNKay31]

Wishing you the very best.