Tips for dealing with sights and smells

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Hi All,

I will be starting CNA training in October and am so glad I've found this website. I've been reading through alot of the threads here and have found them to be really helpful.

As my user name states, I definitely feel "called to help" so I know I'll be able to get past the sights and smells for the good of the patient but I was wondering if those with experience would mind listing some tricks or tips they have for getting past the sights and smells they encounter.

Thanks so much!

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I'm going to be honest, I thought that before I started clinical, I would throw up from the smell of feces, urine, & vomit. :trout: But I'm now going into my 6th day of clinical on Monday & graduating on Friday, and it doesn't bother me one bit! Sure, it can smell really bad sometimes, but with time you don't even notice. What helped me, was focusing on HELPING the resident/patient get cleaned up instead of focusing on the smell. I put myself in their shoes and I know that they're probably more embarrased than I am.

The smells & sights don't bother me at all anymore - The thing that's still a little hard for me is transferring/positioning residents...I'm very petite & I'm not very strong. :uhoh21:

Good luck with your CNA classes & clinicals!

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I read somewhere that something you might try is sucking on a menthol cough drop or peppermint candy. I start my CNA classes on Monday so I haven't tried it myself yet, but it sounds like a good tactic.

As for myself, I've got a 4 year old at home so the smells of urine, feces, and vomit are nothing new to me lol.

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DreamyEyes - yes, I'm definitely thinking that what happened to you will happen to me as well as long as I stay focused on helping the patient and put myself in their position. Thank you!

WhatsSoFunny - lol I laughed at the end of your post! I don't have any children...just dogs...but they can be a good source of experience with that stuff too lol.

Reading through some threads here, people have mentioned putting a little bit of Vicks Vapor Rub under your nose or smelling a Vicks Vapor Stick or popping a peppermint altoid in your mouth beforehand.

Anyone else have some great tricks or tips?

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Cardiac.

One of my instructors said she keeps Halls cough drops in her pocket for just such an occasion. Haven't tried it myself, so don't know how well it works.

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Specializes in i pull sheaths :).

I have been a CNA for almost 3 months and in the beginning I was sooooo scared of the smells, not so much the sights. I just hold my breath mostly. But when it comes to colostomy bags, VapoRub all up in the nose!!! During clinicals, one of the nurses was teaching us how to burp/empty the bag and I lost it all inside the bedside commode. There was no where else to vomit!!! Another thing is the resident's flatulence (farting). That gets to me more than the actual feces!! The worst is when they warn you about it. But other than that you'll do fine. Sometimes I spray body spray on my sleeve/upper chest and take whiff or pull the shirt over my nose. You'll find your little ways. Good luck!!! You'll do great!!!

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I have worked as a CNA for about three years and have seen (and smelled) everything! For me, its a mental game...I just think to myself, no matter how bad I think it is, just think of the patient, client, resident you are caring for. It is most definitely a more "uncomfortable" situation for them.

Dealing with it physically, almost everyone I know swears by carrying around Vicks, or other mentholated type substance, and stuffing it up the nose!

Good luck-you'll surprise yourself, I'm sure!

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Specializes in Long Term Care.

yea i remember in cna class they mentioned vicks up the nose...i did try it once but it ended with me smelling minty poop. now i just suck it up, get the job done, open the window etc. it helps to have a strong stomach but there are always those instances when you encounter nothing you have ever smelled before. lol! like another poster said, don't worry, you will surprise yourself.

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I would think Vicks up the nose or under the nose could be smelled by others. Maybe not very appropriate. I have heard of spraying perfume or body spray on the back of your wrist or on your shoulder to sniff. I personally breathe through my mouth.

I can tell you that pulling your shirt up over your nose is not only inappropriate, but also disrespectful and degrading to the resident. Sorry.

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