Question About Clinicals

[cn2007rn]

I am going to be entering into nursing school shortly and plan to go into either L&D or pediatrics. My question about clinicals is this: i am not a huge fan of LTC and was wondering what would be expected of me during clinicals for LTC? What exactly will i be doing?

Thanks for any imput,

Cheryl

mommy to 3 almost 4

Cheryl,

I am also starting clinicals soon, and I have also worried that I won't be able to deal with the body fluids issue, but you have to figure that is part of taking care of the patients, just keep that in mind when you first start patient care. Also remember that when you are bathing, or assisting in toileting you have to think of this as a time to assess the patient. You will probably be so involved in thinking about all the things that go on clinicals with learning new things that you won't be worrying about naked men or adult diapers. Just take it 1 step at a time, good luck!

Cathy

[Kaseyrn2b]

Cheryl,

I am also starting clinicals soon, and I have also worried that I won't be able to deal with the body fluids issue, but you have to figure that is part of taking care of the patients, just keep that in mind when you first start patient care. Also remember that when you are bathing, or assisting in toileting you have to think of this as a time to assess the patient. You will probably be so involved in thinking about all the things that go on clinicals with learning new things that you won't be worrying about naked men or adult diapers. Just take it 1 step at a time, good luck!

Cathy

Cheryl,

I totally understand how you feel. I took my CNA class a few yrs ago( never did work, had a baby instead :) and I start clinicals next year. You'll be fine! You're a mom of 3, almost 4, I'm sure you've cleaned up many many messes already. I know I have, and I only have 2 ( 4 if you count my furry 'kids', and the 4 legged make the BIGGEST messes!!!) I did 6 weeks of clinicals in a nursing home. I won't say I loved it, but it wasn't as bad as I thought. Even my first messy diaper. You just do it and move on. These pts are someone's Mom and Dad, sister bro, etc. That's what always helped me thru. By far the hardest aspect of LTC was the elderly w/o any visitors...now THAT tore me up...but at least you can take comfort in the care you give them, hope this helps! Hang in there !!!

[GrnHonu99, RN]

You get used to it...I did some clinical time in a LTCF and I knew I wouldnt be grossed out but I still worried that it would be awkward as I had never really seen anyone else that um up close before...the first time I did it, it was a bit awkward but mostly bc my instructor was standing above me watching..but after that it was ok....but you just do it bc it needs to be done...if ya cant handle a depends change..well lets just say im sure you will see worse than that...no one ever said nursing was glamorous!:)

[cdietrich404]

Labouring women often have bowel movements while pushing and the nurse cleans it up without comment. Would you feel that disturbing? What about the postpartum patient passing large clots

Peds out of my area of experience but there are 12 yo bedwetters out there who will be hospitalized.

There's no way around it, nursing involves bodily fluids and contents in all areas. A big part of a patients self image comes from their nurses reactions to their problems. They can and will respond to your attitude towards them and their "accidents".

I dont know but for whatever reason, those things you mentioned above do not bother me. Maybe its because i have had babies and love children.

Cheryl

[sabrn2006]

I stayed away from nursing school for years partly because I didn't think I wanted to "wipe people's butts". Finally, my desire for a meaningful profession won out, and I've survived 2 out of my 4 semesters of an ADN program. I agree with the above posters who mentioned looking at the person instead of the bodily fluids. I just started working as an aide in a hospital (not long term care but med-surg & palliative...still lots of toileting, diapering, accidents etc.) and last semester did similar work in home health. The more I deal with these situations the better I get at handling them. Sometimes I am freaking out inside, but on the outside I just focus on taking care of business.

Many patients have thanked me for taking care of them without reacting to their messes. They are often humiliated and will apologize. What really upsets me is to hear patients tell me that others who take care of them are not so kind. Everyone deserves to be treated with caring and dignity no matter what.

I am not saying it is great fun cleaning up diarrhea by any means. But it's got to be done. And helping vulnerable people can be rewarding no matter what the actual task.