silly question but please reply

night owl · Jun 20, 2001

I swear that when God created me, he had one thing on his mind...this one will be born to clean poop! And so it goes...It's everywhere. It's in the garden, it's in the catbox, it was in the kids diapers, but I'm sure the grandkids will present me with some fine gifts when the time comes, and it is at work. I can't and probably will never get away from it. After awhile, it becomes second nature. Don't sweat it because you soon get used to it. Just grab your gloves and dig in.

lyndalous · Jun 21, 2001

I also recommend working as a CNA too to see if you like it. I worked as a CNA through college on my summer and winter breaks. I loved it... and yes if you want to see poop this is the place to see if you like it!!! I swear I feel like a poop expert... I know if they are eating something I can picture the consistency of the poop. I agree with the other nurses poop is not bad at all. It is all the airway secretions that are worse. But I wish you the best of luck. Nursing is what you make of it. Surround yourself with positive thoughts and keep your head up. You will meet some challenges but the rewards pay off in the end....

NursePooh · Jun 21, 2001

Originally posted by night owl
Don't sweat it because you soon get used to it. Just grab your gloves and dig in.

Now now, let's let the newbies get used to the idea of CLEANING poop before we get into the oogier subjects like impaction removals

Jane Wilson · Jun 22, 2001

Yes Part of nursing is that you have to clean up the whole patient. How do you think the poor patient feels when her or she have no control over their bowels. In time you may get covered in poop but you will laugh and eat a sweet potatoe stew. Good luck in this career. It is very rewarding but tiring, speaking as a critical care nurse for 25 years.

Jane Aussie:)

bassbird · Jun 27, 2001

Now that I am a nursing student I finally understand why my sister (who has been a nurse since 1977) hated jokes about bodily fluids! Maybe that's why she went into NICU, less volume!

I have always heard that suctioning is the worst and can't wait to experience that next year! So far I haven't had to clean up much poop, but I know it's only a matter of time. I imagine (hope)the nose starts to get a little desensitized after a while. I just try to remember how the patient must feel and start cleaning.

kewlnurse · Jun 28, 2001

UMMMMMMMMM POOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP!!! What more fun cleaning C-Diff poop, or Kayaxelate poop?!?! :eek:

MollyJ · Jun 29, 2001

I think Charcoal poop wins a mention for it's sheer ability to resist being cleaned up.

H2OHead · Jun 30, 2001

cleaning up another human (already embarrased about soiling himself) should be the least of your worries. The triple faced weak-spined coworker is much more revolting. Refilling that big bowl of breathmints at the nurses station gets expensive too because you'll see ALOT of ass kissing (their breath will remind you of that bedpan). Heaven forbid a nurse talk to a Dr like just a person or tell a manager (who used to be a nurse but decided better to fold than buck the system) something is wrong and they can't ethically do it (ie safely take care of eight people at a time).

If you're smart enough to be a nurse, become an ARNP.

prmenrs, RN · Jul 1, 2001

I've had a kid the last couple of days w/some sort of fat malabsorption problem on some bizarre formula---OMG:eek:

At least I don't have to worry about my sinuses being clogged for the next few days!

Katmease · Jul 2, 2001

Are you troubled at the thought of how you will react to poop (like vomit) or just don't want to deal with it? If it's dealing with it, you'll eventually get used to it & much worse. Otherwise, maybe you should look into some other career besides nursing. As pointed out, the patient isn't thrilled about losing control, etc. either. Also, if you ever have children, you're going to have pee, poop, puke, snot, etc. also. It's a part of life, grow up & deal with it. I'm sure your Mom (or other caretaker) cleaned up your poop. Not trying to be mean here, just be realistic. All of us have something we're not to crazy about dealing with. My particular weakness is snot but I have learned to laugh & go on.

watergirl · Jul 16, 2001

I thought I would be grossed out by it in clinicals but I just thought that the person I was cleaning could have been my mother, father, sister, etc....even me. Once I realized that I got over it. Oh and a little alcohol swab rubbed under the nose just before doesn't hurt!

watergirl · Jul 16, 2001

I thought I would be grossed out by it in clinicals but I just thought that the person I was cleaning could have been my mother, father, sister, etc....even me. And really you don't even give it a second thought after a while. Once I realized that I got over it. Oh and a little alcohol swab rubbed under the nose just before doesn't hurt!