What nursing task do you loathe???

NightNerd, MSN, RN · Jul 23, 2015

Talking to unreasonable families, does that count????

If not, dealing with combative patients, especially those that are actually strong enough to kick my butt! Also, not a fan of vomit or feet/nails.

I've learned recently that I get a sick enjoyment out of trach care, suctioning, and placing foleys. God I love being a nurse. Must be the new grad in me.

NightNerd, MSN, RN · Jul 23, 2015

I have learned to enjoy accessing ports, but deaccessing them is not my cup of tea! Might be because that was my first accidental exposure... :sorry:

nursejoe1 · Jul 23, 2015

Condom catheters, constantly rolling those things back on. It's like attempting to put a party hat on a turtle who is sticking it's head back in. I've come right out and told doctors "um, you know the whole concept of a condom is that it's not being put on something flaccid?"

No Stars In My Eyes · Jul 23, 2015

NGT = archaic and abominably torturous. Don't we have something better in this day and age? Everything about it is totally gag-worthy. They would have to completely conk me out to get my 'cooperation'; because every time they calmly said "Swallow" , I would be retching and gagging, vomiting, hitting and kicking.....

It makes my throat tighten up just imagining it.

RainMom · Jul 23, 2015

Also hate NGs. I've only ever had to place one (with the pt fighting every inch) but even just caring for them, ugh. I think I'm just always afraid the pt will pull it out somehow & I'll have to replace it. Vomit itself though doesn't typically bother me nor does any other type of poking or inserting other devices into people.

Christy1019, ASN, RN · Jul 23, 2015

NGT = archaic and abominably torturous. Don't we have something better in this day and age? Everything about it is totally gag-worthy. They would have to completely conk me out to get my 'cooperation'; because every time they calmly said "Swallow" , I would be retching and gagging, vomiting, hitting and kicking.....
It makes my throat tighten up just imagining it.

I suppose we could invent a way to go at it from the other end... haha!

roser13, ASN, RN · Jul 23, 2015

Condom catheters, constantly rolling those things back on. It's like attempting to put a party hat on a turtle who is sticking it's head back in. I've come right out and told doctors "um, you know the whole concept of a condom is that it's not being put on something flaccid?"

OMG - putting a party hag on a turtle. I just officially lost it :yes:

sharpeimom · Jul 24, 2015

OMG - putting a party hag on a turtle. I just officially lost it

I laughed so hard that three cats got down and stomped off!

Nurse Leigh · Jul 24, 2015

Anyone else remember water snakes?

Those slippery suckers totally came to mind during a few particularly difficult catheter insertions on a male. :rolleyes:

xjamxtc · Jul 25, 2015

After reading this post and others- NURSING!!!-- gag , puke, oh well, back to work- time to save the patient from their Dr.s!!! Someone got to do do it..!

enuf_already · Jul 25, 2015

I have been an RN since 1980 and oral care & cleaning yucky dentures is still the only activity guaranteed to make me gag. I cannot even stand to watch people on TV brushing their teeth.

I've found my twin! I graduated the same year as you and have the same aversion which my own family thinks is hysterical.

I can tolerate all sorts of sites, smells, and body fluids but dentures and people brushing their teeth, even on TV, will start me gagging or worse.

Finally, someone else who understands! ðŸ˜€

sweetmuffin48 · Jul 25, 2015

Trying to use a translator phone with a hard of hearing patient. Frustrating for the patient and myself.