The gross side of nursing..

minnymi · Jun 22, 2012

if this is a concern, have you considered doing a CNA course before you put all the time and effort into nursing school?

i was worried that i may not be able to handle all the "gross stuff" so before i invested lots of time into nursing school...i took a 6 week CNA course.

i was surprised to find that i wasn't bothered AT ALL by any of the things i thought might gross me out. colostomy bags are my weakness, but i learned not to breathe.

i would just breathe (and still do) through my mouth instead of my nose when cleaning poop or dealing with a colostomy.

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2012

I've been in healthcare since the age of 16 (so 27 years) and I still cannot handle the sound or sight of someone vomiting or the smell. I almost instantly dry heave.Never could. (my poor daughters, I'd pretty much hide when they would start vomiting, thankfully my hubby can handle that and takes charge if he's home, if not, I do what I have to to get through it) But in those years with the dry heave reflex I've learned how to get through it without dry heaving myself. Does it still bother me...yes! But I do what I have to and move on.

Glenna, LPN · Jun 22, 2012

I had been a CNA since I was 19 and I just got my LPN just this last year. To tell you the truth, doing CNA was really good for me. I acutally became immune to smells. Nothing really bothers me unless I am by a person and one of their teeth pops out. THat freaks the crap out of me. Besides that, it's all good.

When I have days where I do get poop on my scrubs it gives me stories to tell while people are grossed out and I'm laughing. What can you do? I also don't really view it as being all that gross because everyone poops, pee's, and at times throws up, even dies at some point. It's all apart of being human.

I still find it funny this one time when I was a CNA at the hospital and I had just finished cleaning this patient and the doctor comes in. She could hardly breathe and was like, how can you be in here? You need a mask with a mint tea bag in it. Oh it amuses me.

xoemmylouox, ASN, RN · Jun 23, 2012

I've been in healthcare since the age of 16 (so 27 years) and I still cannot handle the sound or sight of someone vomiting or the smell. I almost instantly dry heave.Never could. (my poor daughters, I'd pretty much hide when they would start vomiting, thankfully my hubby can handle that and takes charge if he's home, if not, I do what I have to to get through it) But in those years with the dry heave reflex I've learned how to get through it without dry heaving myself. Does it still bother me...yes! But I do what I have to and move on.

I am the same way. I cannot stand the sound, sight, or smell of someone vomiting. I can handle ANYTHING else, but that makes me dry heave instantly..:barf01: I can clean up my dog's vomit without issue..

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2012

I am the same way. I cannot stand the sound, sight, or smell of someone vomiting. I can handle ANYTHING else, but that makes me dry heave instantly..:barf01: I can clean up my dog's vomit without issue..

How funny, my dog or cat's vomiting does nothing to me and like you, I have no issues cleaning it up. Byt even someone 'acting' like they are going to or are vomiting puts me into the dry heaves. LOL

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Jun 24, 2012

Yes I agree on being a CNA before starting nursing school. I did it & it helped me out tons! When I finally did start school, I was more confident & comfortable with patient care. It takes a while to build up a tolerance to the smells, but you'll get there.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Jun 24, 2012

Yes, you get used to it. Once you've been at it a while, you get puked on or get a snot-rocket from a trach flown at you, you wipe it off and go on with your shift.

I agree with the advice to try to find a CNA job while you're in school.

allnurses Guide · Jun 24, 2012

Yeah, you get used to it. You stop evaluating it really on the surface of what it is and start processing it more as a product of a health condition, which helps it be a bit more arm's length. That being said, every nurse has their kryptonite. For some it is mucous, some vomit, some diarrhea, etc. Mine is funky smells. I have learned to be a mouth breather when it bothers me.

You just learn to get past it. Part of that is learning to put yourself in the patient's position and how it would feel to be that sick and have someone dry heaving over you because of a condition you can't control. Part of it is just not having time to be that reactive. You have to deal with whatever is going on and then get on with it and go to the next thing/next patient. Some of it is pride in having patients who are clean, whose bandages are nice and neat and white, who are comfortable, etc.

You aren't the first to worry about this. You will very likely be fine.

Salisburysteak, BSN, RN · Jun 24, 2012

Yes you will get used to the smells.

Mine is also vomit. I can deal with gross nasty, wounds, but once someone starts throwing up and I run out of the room as fast as I safely can. I am even the same way with my child. YUCK!

Working as a CNA before is a very good idea. It not only helps with patient care, but it will also help you be more comfortable around patients.

Good luck to you! :)

Ashley94 · Jun 25, 2012

Thank you guys so much for your kind words and encouragement! I will consider doing all I can to succeed :)

Hoozdo, ADN · Jun 25, 2012

I find the candy Atomic Fireballs, an essential part of my nursing supplies. I can't smell a thing with this powerful cinnamon flavor in my mouth. Try it, you'll like it!