Poop Chute Paranoia

[slogoing]

Is anyone else (pre-nursing student with little/no/limited actual hands-on health care experience like myself) kind of dreading having to give enemas? I have some experience with bodily fluids (via a dental assistantship with a periodontist), and I'm fine with blood, pus, and other nasty stuff found in people's mouths. I'm thinking I'll be fine with vomit, poo, urine and innards. What I'm kind of sketched out about is having to administer an enema. I don't know what it is exactly about it that bothers me (it's just another orifice, right?), and BY GOD I will give them if that is what's required, but ...*sigh* not looking forward to it.

Does this mean I am not cut out for nursing? I hope not, because mostly everything else about it seems pretty kick ass (ha ha no pun intended) and I'm super excited to be working towards a new career as an RN. Anybody have any words of wisdom?

[stpauligirl]

yeah at least you're not the one getting it....

After the first person poops all over you you'll realize its not that big a deal. Good luck and may the commode be with you.

A couple of kids will break you in....I am laughing about the commode....didn't we just have wonderful commode drama here at home with my 8 year old a few minutes ago........he cleaned it up but you know how 8 year olds clean.....

[rn/writer, RN]

Right now you're thinking of the anatomical area and the procedure and the results it will generate out of context. It might help you to know that when you actually find yourself in the situation, you will have gotten to know this patient for at least a little. That means you will see a person who is probably as apprehensive about what's going to happen as you are.

If you can enter into this procedure--or any other--with the attitude that you're going to get through it together, chances are you'll lose some of your self consciousness and become more concerned about the patient's feelings, both physical and emotional, than you are about your own. You'll tune into their discomfort and want to offer reassurance and the best care you know how to give. After it's over and you leave the room, you can go collapse in the med room if you have to, but up until then, you'll have more than enough to keep your mind occupied.

Hope this helps.

[MUCHO MACHO MURSE]

I have a dog who since a puppy cannot do number two on his own, you guessed it. I have to enema my dog nightly. It is a big relief for him as it would be for your patient. My advice is load them up and stay out of the range of fire.

yeah at least you're not the one getting it....

After the first person poops all over you you'll realize its not that big a deal. Good luck and may the commode be with you.

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

Right now you're thinking of the anatomical area and the procedure and the results it will generate out of context. It might help you to know that when you actually find yourself in the situation, you will have gotten to know this patient for at least a little. That means you will see a person who is probably as apprehensive about what's going to happen as you are.

If you can enter into this procedure--or any other--with the attitude that you're going to get through it together, chances are you'll lose some of your self consciousness and become more concerned about the patient's feelings, both physical and emotional, than you are about your own. You'll tune into their discomfort and want to offer reassurance and the best care you know how to give. After it's over and you leave the room, you can go collapse in the med room if you have to, but up until then, you'll have more than enough to keep your mind occupied.

Hope this helps.

Well said

[stpauligirl]

I have a dog who since a puppy cannot do number two on his own, you guessed it. I have to enema my dog nightly. It is a big relief for him as it would be for your patient. My advice is load them up and stay out of the range of fire.

Poor little dog, what kind is he/she.....I am a huge dog lover and have 2

[MUCHO MACHO MURSE]

hi,

i uploaded a photo of my dogs brandi & apollo. they are labrador mixes. brandi the female is lab and grey hound mix, and apollo the male is the smaller poop chute problem enema dog. interesting huh?