Ok, please don't laugh or deride me, but I'm wrapping up my first semester in an accelerated second degree BSN program. I've had four clinical days so far and in our program we fly solo from day one with one instructor for every 8 students backing us up if we have questions. On my fourth day working with patients, I had to walk out when another student asked for an assist cleaning up her patient who had a huge watery BM that was up his back, down his legs, up between his thighs and all over his genitals. I had just completely my third bedpan/clean up on my assigned patient, and the smell of my co-students patient was just too much. I turned green, nearly vomitted and walked out and found another student to help her. I knew poop was going to be a part of nursing and nursing school prior to starting this, but I didn't think the smell would kick my ass like it did on Wednesday. Does it get easier to deal with? It's not the sight, idea, or concept of cleaning it up, I don't feel gross, dirty or shameful like some people have said on this forum after cleaning up a patient. The smell just kicks my ass after a while. The three bedpans earlier that day were a cake walk, but something about this one was just too much. I need some advice and pointers. Thanks!
Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.
Don't forget about prevention by getting them on the bedpan. Also some hosptial rooms are so stuffy that I can barely stand it so I get some ventilation going. You can also wipe some mild essential oils or other products in the bend of your arm and then you can take a whiff as needed,that is what worked for me. I did that before I went in for the BIG Clean up!
I still have a gut-reaction to strong smells. I work with a GI MD that does too (bad choice of work). My only advice: use what is available. Masks, neutralizers, Ben-gay under the nose...
Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.
i now use essential oils a drop in mask, as thieves, peppermint, lime etc, the ones i know will not make my skin sensitive......i use to use vicks......
it does get better, but have something similar to vicks or an essential oil best wishes
mosaicism105, MSN
199 Posts
My coworker put tea bags inside the mask haha