What nursing task do you loathe???

Published

Just realized today that I can't stand ostomy appliances. It's not the poop, it's just cutting and sizing the appliance and that messy paste. Tedious and irritating but somebody's gotta do it.

How about you?

Vital signs! SO MANY VITAL SIGNS. I don't know why I specifically dislike this so much! I would be a happy woman if I never had to touch another BP cuff or count another baby's respiratory rate.

This is one task I don't mind whatsoever. Taking vital signs actually helped me catch so many things before they happened, or alerted me to keep an eye on someone intensely. For example, the other night my patient had O2 sats at 95% on 3L NC when they normally ran 96% on RA and 98-100% on 3L NC. The blood pressure was also pretty low (80s-90s systolic when he normally runs 150-160 systolic). I automatically knew, just by taking vitals, that I should be concerned and on the lookout. I contacted the Dr. and was told to continue to monitor. Sure enough, a few hours later, he had 21 beats of vtach with a HR of 167.

That was a long story just to say that I don't mind vitals if it means it can alert me to future problems. But, everyone has something they loathe for different reasons.

Specializes in Reproductive & Public Health.
This is one task I don't mind whatsoever. Taking vital signs actually helped me catch so many things before they happened, or alerted me to keep an eye on someone intensely. For example, the other night my patient had O2 sats at 95% on 3L NC when they normally ran 96% on RA and 98-100% on 3L NC. The blood pressure was also pretty low (80s-90s systolic when he normally runs 150-160 systolic). I automatically knew, just by taking vitals, that I should be concerned and on the lookout. I contacted the Dr. and was told to continue to monitor. Sure enough, a few hours later, he had 21 beats of vtach with a HR of 167.

That was a long story just to say that I don't mind vitals if it means it can alert me to future problems. But, everyone has something they loathe for different reasons.

Well yeah, I am obviously I am grateful I am able to use my patient's vital signs to help guide assessments, alert me to problems, etc. I don't want to *not* have that information! I just want someone else to gather it for me lol.

Specializes in Emergency.

Bedpans, especially getting them out.

Specializes in Emergency.

Starting iv's on ivdu's. "Oh the hell with this, turn your head, don't move."

Managing colostomy bags!

Specializes in Hospice.
Well yeah, I am obviously I am grateful I am able to use my patient's vital signs to help guide assessments, alert me to problems, etc. I don't want to *not* have that information! I just want someone else to gather it for me lol.

We need to introduce you to NOADLS, STAT!!

Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Anything to do with poop, pee or toileting. I do it, don't get me wrong. But I hate it and is one of the main draws for getting away from the bedside for me.

Specializes in Med Surg, Perinatal, Endoscopy, IVF Lab.

Loathe:

~ Doing vital signs (tedious)

~ Taking a patient out (hate that time waster)

~ Oral Care

~ Anything that has to do with feet

~ Ostomies

LOVE:

~ IV's

~ Wound Care and wound Vacs

Starting iv's on ivdu's. "Oh the hell with this, turn your head, don't move."

LOVE starting IVs and drawing blood.

Specializes in Trauma, Orthopedics.
Starting iv's on ivdu's. "Oh the hell with this, turn your head, don't move."

Agree. Not only do that have no veins, tons of scar tissue, but they make some big dramatic whine fest about getting stuck. Like....you stick yourself 10x a day. How does this bother you?!?!?!

Specializes in Emergency.
Agree. Not only do that have no veins, tons of scar tissue, but they make some big dramatic whine fest about getting stuck. Like....you stick yourself 10x a day. How does this bother you?!?!?!

Had that guy last night. Wound up doing an an ej.

Side note: hope del zotto works out for you guys. Never fit in with the rangers

Flakey feet and greasy ear lobes!!!

I hate removing socks or Ted hose for foot inspection,those flakes always take flight.I'm inhaling them or they are in my eye.....ewww

I HATE EAR LOBES....I hate irrigating ,I hate instilling drops,I hate placing hearing aids or manipulating ear lobes in any way...They remind me of floppy labia and it just skeeves me out.Don't even ask me to help with an ear ring.This applies to patients and family members alike.....Floppy labia on the sides of your head! Yech....I don't even wear ear rings myself.

Yep. Me a few weeks ago. Removing TEDS on a Direct admit. Feet flakes airborne and in my mouth and down my scrubs. I think I ate a bleach wipe behind it. Lol.

+ Join the Discussion