What am I getting myself into?

Nurse Ratched, RN · Sep 7, 2003

Hi there! Nah - they aren't the only things nursing is about - just the things that give us bragging rights when we talk about our jobs to other people .

You generally need to have or cultivate a strong stomach for nursing, but there will still be that one thing for EVERY nurse that just sends him/her over the edge. That's why you have co-workers and why it's good to have amicable relationships with them :).

What I am doing · Sep 7, 2003

Originally posted by Nurse Ratched
Hi there! Nah - they aren't the only things nursing is about - just the things that give us bragging rights when we talk about our jobs to other people .

You generally need to have or cultivate a strong stomach for nursing, but there will still be that one thing for EVERY nurse that just sends him/her over the edge. That's why you have co-workers and why it's good to have amicable relationships with them :).

Hey thanks a lot. I'm a male, so I guess I'm in the small minority. I'm also a member of a fitness board, so I'm use to very coorifice language. I see that's isn't allowed here. That's a good thing.

boggle, ASN, RN · Sep 9, 2003

Welcome What am I doing... (Hmm, you need a shorter nickname:chuckle)

I got past seeing most things as gross pretty soon into nursing. Had some great instructors that helped me learn to see past the "stuff", and to see the patient instead. You can put up with a lot if the patient remains your main focus.

...Still, there's that sputum that gets to me now and then.......

oramar · Sep 9, 2003

Yeah, that is what I always do. Think about the human being that is vomiting or what ever.

chipper · Sep 10, 2003

This is one job that no one wants to hear about your day while eating. I found that you are so "into" what is going on with you patient that the gross stuff can be interesting. Still the smell of body fluids can be somewhat overcoming. Put "Vicks" under your nose if you know that there will be yuks.

P_RN, ADN, RN · Sep 10, 2003

Just regular people things. We also get to hold newborns, help the elderly, ease pain, be with families in stressful times...we get to see it all.

Katnip, RN · Sep 10, 2003

When I first started I worried about how squeamish I'd be. The first time I had to clean up after a patient (my first clinical day), I thought, "If this is tough on me, it's got to be a lot harder on the patient."

Somehow, that helped me a lot. As nurses we're part of a other people's most intimate moments; most are the everyday mundane things, but sometimes we're there at the most awesome triumphant times or devastatingly tragic times, too.

purplemania, BSN, RN · Sep 10, 2003

I get nauseated when I hear people gag. So you can imagine my concern about whether I would be able to care for a trach patient. I did, because it was something I had to do and talked to the patient the whole time, probably nervously. We both got thru it and you will too.

Susan Fisher · Sep 10, 2003

No, there are alot of great days ahead. Just when you think that it has been the worst day ever there will come that bright shining moment when you know that you have made a difference in someone's life. That makes it all worthwhile.

LaVorneRN · Sep 10, 2003

After being on the "other side" for 3 months I have a whole new outlook. If you can really imagine yourself or someone you love going through the stuff patients go through-NO privacy, lack of treatment with dignity, loss of control, fear of the unknown, missing your family, home and friends-it will make it a little easier. That said, it still grosses me out to know fecal matter can get backed up and come out of your mouth! I know, I know, sorry for being so gross! But imagine how the patient feels! It happened once with this beautiful middle-aged patient who was just the most exquisite lady I've seen and the personality to match. Reminded me of Audrey Hepburn. She had cancer. And a small bowel obstruction. I was wheeling her down to xray with her holding this pink bucket to her chin. First I was silently grossed out but then her face made me want to cry for her. Aside from giving her water to rinse I felt helpless.

You gotta have heart more than anything else. Empathy speaks volumes when it comes to what you're capable of.

Good luck!