Things You Do In Nursing School

mshultz · Feb 18, 2008

Moongirl is right. 32 years ago in nursing school we were also taught to keep patients covered except for the areas of the body we were bathing or working on. The only time the genital area was EVER exposed was if the patient was unable to do any part of washing that area at all--and even then, we were taught to keep them covered and just work underneath the bath blanket. Can't help exposing that area during urinary catheterizations though. Otherwise, the remainder of the patient's body should be completely covered. They would freeze to death anyway if you didn't keep covers on them! The only time I've ever seen people in any kind of frank nudity was in the ER during a trauma or a code blue, something that happens frequently in the areas you say you are interested in. Even then, someone will usually put a towel over the person's genital area and then other areas if possible.
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Interesting. The trauma team uncovered me, then introduced themselves before beginning to work on me. I was not covered up again until admissions (also done by this team) was finished and I was sent to the Critical Care Unit.

The first thing the CCU nurse did was to uncover me so that I could slide over onto their bed. She then introduced herself. I was shivering violently during the brief time I was uncovered. She waited until I had time to warm up before giving me a much appreciated bed bath (I had dried blood and fecal matter on my body from a GI bleed). I was uncovered during the entire bath. I then ended up with gown, slippers, and even pajama bottoms (they must have had only one pair, as they had to order extras the next day).

Patient nudity was treated as entirely natural, which made me comfortable. I had privacy when urinating and defecating, which was appreciated, as public urination is not one of my talents.

Washing a patient's genitals underneath the blanket seems odd, but then there was a time when male orderlies did intimate personal care on males, so that the female nurses did not have to (or perhaps, were not allowed).

The important part of my visit was that I ended up making a more than full recovery.

mshultz · Feb 18, 2008

LOL!! I'm amazed sometimes as to how frank women can be about such things. I NEVER talk about personal bodily functions with anyone except my wife or my doctor, but I've been around plenty of women - family and not - who simply don't seem to care. I was sitting in Bible Study class last night and the gals were talking about someone having trouble with ovarian cysts, then the discussion branched into PAP smears and other stuff. I considered being mischevious and asking something like "Ummmm...should we guys step outside for a few minutes?"

Through the process of attrition, I am the only male in my Sunday School class. Circumcision was mentioned during one of the scripture readings. The women started talking about whether they had had their male children circumcised. I got embarrassed to the point of a panic attack. I turned red, my face broke out in sweat, and I even started to get light-headed. At least no one asked whether I was circumcised.

I find it interesting that I was far more comfortable lying naked in the ED and the CCU than I was fully clothed in church that day.

NurseKatie08, MSN · Jul 21, 2008

Not necessarily true. We had students do their preceptorships in ICUs...depends on the student, the school, and the hospital.
But the tidy-whitey quote is both true AND funny!

:yeahthat: My school, as did many others had an ICU rotation. I took care of ICU pts with the primary RN/my instructor, just like any other clinical, meds, IV pushes, vents & all. Every place is different.

R2ndof7 · Jul 26, 2008

Through the process of attrition, I am the only male in my Sunday School class. Circumcision was mentioned during one of the scripture readings. The women started talking about whether they had had their male children circumcised. I got embarrassed to the point of a panic attack. I turned red, my face broke out in sweat, and I even started to get light-headed. At least no one asked whether I was circumcised.
I find it interesting that I was far more comfortable lying naked in the ED and the CCU than I was fully clothed in church that day.

Thanks for the laugh! The most that I have had someone remark about personal care done during a bath was an interesting older gentleman to whom I was providing much needed peri care. Having worked as a CNA at my hospital for almost a year now, I am way past the embarrassment factor, almost to a non-empathetic point (I have to put myself in their shoes often to remember that while I'm used to seeing people naked, that does not translate into every patient being comfortable like that. They certainly don't deal with it day to day unless they come from LTC.) I just replied to this older patient that while I really wasn't uncomfortable like he thought I was, I realized that it certainly could be a different matter for him. I try to impart a definite willingness to be there to provide care for the patient - a "that's what I'm here for" assurance that I hope sets aside some of that "you're in my very personal space" response. Then you start getting the amusing male patients who take my willingness to help to the extremes, just to try to make me blush. Oh, my.

I certainly respect the male population who goes into nursing, though. I love the male nurses at my hospital - there is nothing that is more comforting to me than to see what excellent care they give. I can't imagine how the dear little lady who is being patted on the hand must feel. Being a female myself, I hope that no one will think I'm being sexist by recognizing the different care personalities of each gender. I think nurses in general are very special people. This is especially evident when they are able to take a few extra minutes with a patient, even when their phone is ringing and they're an hour behind on meds. Thanks for the great examples that are set by the amazing nurses out there!

ADPIE10 · Jul 26, 2008

Hey everyone! I am currently a pre-occupational therapy student. I have been thinking about Nursing as a possible career as well but had some questions to ask before I get into it. In nursing school, do you have to bathe nude patients? What is the hardest thing for a male nurse to do while in nursing school? I think that would be definately hard for me to do. That's mainly one thing that I would not want to do, but I guess I could do if I had to to pass. I am mostly interested in ICU Nursing/ER Nursing and possibly becoming a NP. Hope you can help me!

Yes we have to bathe nude patients. My school also had us perform bed baths on each other before touching a patient. I think that it was more awkward to be nude in front of my classmates and instructor. I was surprised by the sensitivity and competence of the person performing the bed bath. Overall, it was a positive experience and good preparation.

You might want to consider volunteering at a local hospital. I was allowed to do so in an Emergency Department. Shadowing nurses will help you decide if you want to be a nurse. Remember that passing a phase of nursing school is only the beginning, not the end. The things that you are instructed to do with the patient while attending school, will most likely be the things that you'll do quite often once you graduate.

eljamstudent · Jul 26, 2008

Yes we have to bathe nude patients. My school also had us perform bed baths on each other before touching a patient. I think that it was more awkward to be nude in front of my classmates and instructor. I was surprised by the sensitivity and competence of the person performing the bed bath. Overall, it was a positive experience and good preparation.
You might want to consider volunteering at a local hospital. I was allowed to do so in an Emergency Department. Shadowing nurses will help you decide if you want to be a nurse. Remember that passing a phase of nursing school is only the beginning, not the end. The things that you are instructed to do with the patient while attending school, will most likely be the things that you'll do quite often once you graduate.

Out of curiosity, your school had the students nude for bed bath practice? Is this the norm? Also, was it mandatory? I have heard of many schools requiring bathing suits or shorts and a tank top, but not nude. Just curious.

ADPIE10 · Jul 27, 2008

Out of curiosity, your school had the students nude for bed bath practice? Is this the norm? Also, was it mandatory? I have heard of many schools requiring bathing suits or shorts and a tank top, but not nude. Just curious.

You are correct. I wore shorts. :-) And still... as students, we were still very uneasy about everyone watching the bed bath. It's easier when there is an actual patient with a purpose in receiving a bed bath and there isn't a huge audience.

elagantabyss · Jul 27, 2008

Okay, so I read through all of the replies and I am still unsure.

I will be starting my first semester of NS in 22 days. While I have worked in the medical field and was very successful during my pre-req.'s, I am so nervous about what is coming.

I have known many Nursing students and I am familiar with the dedication and sacrifices that will be expected of me. It is fear of the unknown. I am afraid that I will not "get it" or that I won't be able to think "critically".

I have so many concerns. How much studying is enough. I do not work, but I have 3 small children. I have a very supportive and loving husband and family. I have already set a tightly organized schedule for studying, housework, and family time. What do I need to know for my first semester? Is it possible to be more than a C student in the Nursing Program? I need reassurance! I need pointer! I need to just get started!

kimmie sue · Sep 26, 2008

Not true at all. I will be finishing school to be a R.N. and we do work in the ICU, CICU, shock trauma ICU. It is itense, my last semester is all critical care.