Scared Of Poop!!!!!!!!! Help!!!!!!!

[nursingstudent424]

I'm starting my nursing program on Jan.25th, and i'm really, really excited. Ever since I can remember I've always dreamed about being a nurse. I'm a medical assitant at a cardiologist office and I love working hands on and I love my patients to the point that I can't wait until I become a RN and work at a hospital. During orientation we were told that our first practice cite will be at a nursing home . One thing I'm actually not looking forward to doing is looking at poop!!! I could deal with blood, I can deal with pee, but i'm actually scared of my reaction to looking at poop and changing patients, I'm scared I might:barf01:

I've changed a childs diaper before and i've had no problem...but I have never changed a adults diaper nor smelled or been up close and personal to it. I'm so afraid of how i'm going to react to it...does anyone ever felt this way? Does anyone have some advice or suggestions??? Is it true that it's just like changing a child. I'm scared of the smell and how i would react to it. HELP!!!! i feel recidiculous...:trout:

[StudentNurseLS11]

Like you I also start clinicals in January. I will begin my first clinical at a nursing home, where I am sure I will have to change some adult diapers. I admit that I am a bit apprehensive to do this, but in this profession you have to remember that you are there to help. It is really important to look at it from a compassionate point of view. One day we'll probably all be there, pooping our pants again. Since I have a pretty bad gag reflex with smells, my plan is to try not to breathe through my nose(advice I got from someone who is already an RN.) Anyways I hope this helps a little. I know clinicals are not going to be the best thing in the world, but they will get us to our ultimat goals. GOOD LUCK!

[MysticalSeeker]

I wasnt a fan of poop, and all during my nursing education I avoided it in clinicals as much as I can, sometimes being more successful than others. But this last christmas break, I came down with the Norovirus and went into the hospital for 4.5 days due to severe dehydration and a fever of 105.3 degrees. I had never been more sicker in my entire life....and I remember one moment during the emergency room visit when I had just had a massive diarrhea all over the bedding, and I remember as sick and out of it as I was...I still remember feeling shame and embarrasment.....and the RN assigned to me wasnt a fan of the poop patrol, and she made her feelings known quite clearly while she cleaned me up.....I never felt more degraded in my entire life....so when I went back to clinicals, I vowed to never do that to my patients....and now that I am an actual LVN, I really have no problem with poop.

So its just something you get over, get used to, or the Universe will teach you a lesson like it did me, lol.

[cherryames2008]

Nobody likes poop. It smells and it comes from people's butts. But, it's a part of life. If you really hate it that much, there are many types of nurses and maybe you'll just be one that has a job that doesn't involve physical contact with patient's poop. But to reach that goal, you'll have to make it through nursing school first, which is bound to involve some poop.

I had a nursing teacher that said everyone has that one thing that totally grosses them out. For her, it was emesis. For another teacher, it was sputum. So I thought, for me, it's going to be poop (I've babysat since I was 13--18 years--and have gagged through many diaper changes). But guess what? Poop isn't so bad (well, it is, but here's my warm/fuzzy nursing philosphy on it).

If you don't like poop, imagine how your patient feels sitting in it. They are probably embarrassed and/or uncomfortable. So, being a good nurse who wants their patient to be comfortable and also wants to avoid skin breakdown, you'll change it (and fast at that!). You'll be so wrapped up in how to clean it up quickly and without making a bigger mess, that you probably won't be so bothered by it. At least that's how it worked for me. I had a patient in nursing school with super smelly C.diff poop, but also had the biggest sacral pressure ulcer in the world. So naturally, during dressing changes, there was poop (and lots of it). But I was so caught up in the dressing change, keeping the wound clean, and being fast/efficient that the poop never bothered me.

I still gag every now and again, but only after I've left the bedside to flush it, when the patient/family members can't see me.

[sherrytzu]

Suck on peppermints, put Vick's in your nose, and try not to gag in front of the patient. I still gag sometimes but the patient does not see it. I have the same fear of vomit. If someone throws up I tend to follow suit. Some nurses are afraid of blood. It depends on how badly you want it. You just do it. Don't think about it. It will get better.

[Ronnie3]

How often do you guys have to change diapers and other duties alike? obviously it's a day to day issue but a rough estimate if you will

[AMRN12]

:bowingpur:nurse:I am a newbee....please advice on communication with recent "blogs".......as uncertain to active responces.

[AMRN12]

I have been a nurse for 15 years and this is an issue. It also depends on what disease process is at play. Sometimes the poop is huge..but does not smell that bad.......then there are times when the smell is overwhelming to the point one can not control the gagging reflex!!! This can be very problematic....to say the least. This is the very reason that nurses leave Med/Surg and pursue alternate areas. Primarily cardiac nursing. This area of nursing is relatively "poop free". But in its place comes the potential for abrupt/sudden change ie MI or symptoms that would mimic one. In any case..my opinion is that this would be an area of nursing free from "poop aversion".....but an increase in paper work as it relates to potential cardiac interventions and instructions. In the event that the cardiac surgeon ........oh by now you realize is second to GOD....detetmines that surgery is needed....you as the nurse is responsible to inform and make sure the pt. understands the procedure and possible outcomes........negative that is. This is a precarious positon for the cardiac nurse to be placed in. Fortunately, in 2008 there have been laws mandating that surgeons/MD'S are solely responsible for disclosure of negative outcomes that could result from operation. In addition, their signature is required on the consent form.....as apposed to the floor staff nurse......this often is challenged ....as a nurse that has a bit of travel experience.....I admonish you to....stand your ground....

[ayla2004, ASN, RN]

i think that says it all...beautiful.

i'm a student nurse on a spinal injuires ward what i'm finding hard is carring for a young 17 year old and 50 year old who due to spinal cord injuries have no bladder or bowel control. I've been a care assitant for 6 years i have no issues with poo except when it smells really bad i.e. c.diff. i have bigger issues about the dignity of patients who are dealing with loosing simple things like elimation control while in there fulll mind. I previoulsy worked with dementia patients who i don't know what amount of awareness some of them had over being incontient.

[southlandshari]

Consider this from the patient's point of view.

All your life, you've been a competent human being. You got potty trained @ the appropriate age, you were a useful, productive adult, raising your own children, holding down a job, contributing to society. Now, here you are, away from your family and friends, maybe you have to be fed by someone, you don't have anything interesting to do, maybe you can't talk, hear or see very well and WORST OF ALL, you can't even control the most basic of bodily functions. You have to wear a diaper, for heaven's sake. You are totally dependent on someone else to clean you after you soil yourself, perhaps even change your clothes/bedding.

Just how humiliating is that??? Granted, some patients are not exactly "with it", and maybe even seem to enjoy "making your day", but for many, this whole business is absolutely mortifiying.

Your job, as a nurse, is to be as empathetic as possible. Reassure the patient, clean them as promptly and gently as you can (sometimes caregivers lose patience, tend to be rough, and even abusive in this poop cleaning process).

There are tricks to decrease the odor--putting Vicks Vapo-rub under your nose for example--discrete spraying (don't over-do that, esp if pt or you have resp issues like COPD and asthma), etc. Bring as many supplies as you can, and if it's a 2 person job, round 'em up. Talk to the pt while you do it, just chit-chat stuff, so that they know you recognize them as a person.

Make it a good thing; it will serve you well. Consider it a "mitzvah" as the Jewish say, a "blessing".

Beyond well said.

[ngbaseball]

I hate it

[jhamrn]

Did you know that when a person smells poop they are ingesting very small poop particles. Sometimes when I work on a Geriatric psych unit, i get calls from a general psych unit to help them clean up poop. Like I'm a poop expert. Nobody likes cleaning up poop. One nice thing about being an RN is that sometimes you can deligate poop clean up to your subordinates. I tell my subordinates that poop always runs down hill. Like everything in nursing, things get better with more experience.

[careerchoices]

Did you know that when a person smells poop they are ingesting very small poop particles.

Well, I would argue with that. What you are smelling are the various amine compounds and various other organic chemicals like skatol.