2nd day clinical on Saturday..

2011NursingStudent · Mar 24, 2011

I wouldn't make conversation while doing that, that would be a little weird. Just make it quick and do a good job. I felt just as awkward the first time I washed a male, but there were much harder things for me, mostly trying to move large patients and there was never a Hoyer lift avail. Usually if you are changing them in bed, in my experience, they are not usually up for conversation and not very alert & the ones that are alert and chatty tend to be bathroom assists, so you just help them to the bathroom.

EduardoLugo · Mar 24, 2011

I wouldn't make conversation while doing that, that would be a little weird. Just make it quick and do a good job. I felt just as awkward the first time I washed a male, but there were much harder things for me, mostly trying to move large patients and there was never a Hoyer lift avail. Usually if you are changing them in bed, in my experience, they are not usually up for conversation and not very alert & the ones that are alert and chatty tend to be bathroom assists, so you just help them to the bathroom.

Thank you! I will make it quick. I will look at videos on youtube because I want to do a good job. As long as i have gloves on. :) I have to touch the area too.. bleh. I really can't wait to start working at a nursing home and go for my certificate in Nursing assistant to become a CNA. The teacher said they are going to hire 3 students out of 12.. hopefully I will be lucky to get hired.. about 70-80% of the residents are in wheelchairs.. too much lifting.

EduardoLugo · Mar 24, 2011

I wouldn't make conversation while doing that, that would be a little weird. Just make it quick and do a good job. I felt just as awkward the first time I washed a male, but there were much harder things for me, mostly trying to move large patients and there was never a Hoyer lift avail. Usually if you are changing them in bed, in my experience, they are not usually up for conversation and not very alert & the ones that are alert and chatty tend to be bathroom assists, so you just help them to the bathroom.

Well, not conversation. I mean.. like.. "is the water still warm?" "Are you comfortable" What else should I say? Are those 2 good enough?

NavyVet28 · Mar 24, 2011

I am a male (the only male in class) it's a small class.. 12 students including me. I got used to being with women now. I used to be afraid of them.. ha ha.. but I got used to it. So I am doing complete bath on Saturday in a nursing home. I am going to bathe a female resident which is going to be awkward because I have to wash their perineal area. Should I start a small conversation with the resident while bathing? I think my teacher is going to watch me bathing her, so what should I say to the resident while I bath? Also, what should I say as I wash her private area? :\
because if I talk to her as I do that, she may be comfortable. I think..
I don't care doing the dirty work.. it is normal.. we're just human. I will get used to it.. dealing with poop, etc etc.. ^^ I haven't gotten to that yet.. but soon.

Just say introduce your name and tell her that you will be bathing her. Also you might want to ask your instructor on what would be a proper way to let her know you are going to wash her genital area bc it would be weird if you went straight to wash withouth a warning to the patient.