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Discussion

New Nurse

I have just graduated from nursing school and I was told that I will have to clean patients...I don't mind this but my friend said I will have to clean BM and urine...I am above this and I thought that's what nursing assistants were for...it was their choice to become a nursing assistant and if they don't have the brains to be a RN then they should do this...am I right to think this?

Featured Replies

How did you not know this before graduating? You never experienced this in clinicals?

You are not above helping your patients and can't pawn it off to the aide. No you are not right to think that way. I almost think you're joking because there is no way you didn't know this is what nursing entails.

Is this a joke?

I'm assuming you either didn't work during nursing school or have absolutely no health care background. It's this kind of pretentious attitude that make a new nurse less than pleasant to work with.

Patient care is a TEAM effort. If your tech is drowning and there's a call bell going off while they're toileting a patient, you better be running in there to check on whoever is ringing. You're not above anyone. You're a nurse so step in and help your team. Your techs typically have twice as many patients as you.

You shouldn't criticize anyone for choosing their career. I guess I have no brains for working as a tech while in nursing school since you know, I'm working as a tech.

Get out.

  • Author

Sorry but it was a bad joke...I have had a terrible problem creating my account and I was using the words of one of the clinical students...I was a nursing assistant for

5 years before I received my BSN and only typed this to see if anyone would reply...I love reading all subjects on all nurses.com and I finally have an account...sorry for the bad joke.

I agree with those above and wonder what kind of joke this is, there is no way that you went through nursing school with all of your instructors reinforcing this belief.

if they don't have the brains to be a RN then they should do this...

You had better get a lot more respectful in how you think of your fellow team members and get rid of that attitude right away. This will never put you in a place where anyone will help you with anything!! Whether it's about the aides, the housekeepers, dietary or anyone. We are a team and just because someone chose a different road does not make them smarter or dumber then you.

So if you require a serious answer here it is:

Keeping our patients clean and dry is part of nursing, this can be delegated to a patient tech, if you are lucky enough to have one, but the responsibility remains with you.

And while I don't think anyone enjoys cleaning BM/urine... I do like giving my patients those routine cares when I can. It gives me a chance to do a great head to toe assessment, skin assessment and see how well they are performing their ADL's. It also gives me a chance to interact with them, build trust, do teaching and assess for deficits in care that may need to be addressed through home health care or by family.

In 23 years of nursing, the only place that I didn't routinely do all of my patients care was in LTC, and there I helped the aides whenever they asked.... in fact I would be hunting them down and saying "Mrs XYZ is a two assist, can you let me know the next time you toilet her so I can help" that way I would be able to do those assessments.

I would never ask someone to do a job because I felt it was beneath me to do it....(I may delegate for time management reasons, ask because someone has better expertise, or request because someone has established a relationship that makes it easier for the patient)

But when a code Brown is called, you better be prepared to respond.

Sorry but it was a bad joke...I have had a terrible problem creating my account and I was using the words of one of the clinical students...I was a nursing assistant for

5 years before I received my BSN and only typed this to see if anyone would reply...I love reading all subjects on all nurses.com and I finally have an account...sorry for the bad joke.

I was writing and posting my comment when you posted this..... and while I'm glad to know you are not serious, I have to ask.... why??

  • Author

I was joking and have my real question on this same thread....I was playing the role of a spoiled bratt.

Allnurses attracting alot of trolls now a days.

  • Experts

Moved to First Year After Nursing Licensure forum.

🙄 yeah ok

  • Author

You have a lot to learn, 4 years in nothing

I have just graduated from nursing school and I was told that I will have to clean patients...I don't mind this but my friend said I will have to clean BM and urine...I am above this and I thought that's what nursing assistants were for...it was their choice to become a nursing assistant and if they don't have the brains to be a RN then they should do this...am I right to think this?

*Pathetic, go away troll

Wow.... Some things never cease to amaze me... I was a CNA for 13+ years before I became a nurse and I have to say, even now, nothing, and I mean nothing is "beneath me". I have always told my aides that I will never ask them to do anything I wont do myself, and I stay true to that. Basic care is nursing 101, and shame on you for posting something in such bad taste. Wouldn't want you on my team for anything. Nor would I want you to care for me or my loved ones or friends. Unreal....

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