For those Nurses out there. I have a question

[genie]

My weakness is smells. When I was in nursing school and I smelled something bad (poo, bedsores, GI bleed) I would vomit. Everyone told me that I would get used to it- I didn't. I have been a nurse for almost 10 years and I still vomit everytime I have to clean up that stuff. I can not clean up poo, I really can't, I have tried and I vomit everytime. I can handle anything bloody (unless it is a GI bleed-one of the wrosts smells in the world), I can handle vomit, and I can handle burns-I can't handle the poo.....

[midnterrt]

After 20 years in medical field seeing everything imaginable you get used to it quickly, develop a poker face, but somethings still break your heart. You do your job and everything you can do to help the person, then deal with your emotional response later, some things are difficult and some things are so rewarding to see and you really do help save someone life. I have worked trauma, codes, etc for 20 years and respond to all code blues in er, hospital, nursery, delivery, etc. You also sometimes get to see some miracles that you will never forget. It will be a very rewarding career path for you, give it a chance. Hope that helps

[ILUVSADIE]

I'm an RN in the recovery room of a level I trauma center - so I literally see EVERYTHING.

When I was in nursing school, the smell of poop really bothered me - so during the Summer, I worked as an aide at a nursing home and believe me that TOTALLY desensitized me to the smell of poop, pee, etc.!!!

I absolutely love being an RN - there are a million different things you can do in our field. I personally love bedside nursing. If you don't like the job your doing, you can always transfer to another unit. Even after many years, you still learn new things everyday!!

Good Luck and don't worry so much about it - it'll all fall into place.

[PuppyLovinNurse]

There are some nasty things that you will encounter, but I think when you look at the PERSON rather than the illness/injury/issue it distracts you & you don't see the nastiness.

Without going into too much detail...there was one time that one of the RPNs decided she didn't want to do her job & she told myself and another student to do it. A patient had been given an enema & someone forgot to put a diaper on her & let's just say, the whole bed was not a pretty sight. That's the only time I was disgusted, but at the same time I just felt so bad for this woman. She was totally paralyzed & couldn't speak, very demented, but she looked me straight in the eye as to say "Help me!" So we went as fast as we could to get her into nice new sheets & out of her soiled clothes.

[PuppyLovinNurse]

Originally Posted by nvnvgirl

And the most important thing to keep in mind is that whatever you're doing, no matter how small of a thing it seems, is something that's really HELPING a patient; it's something that they can't do for themselves, so you're making their life better in some way. It's all part of the growing and learning process. You'll do just fine . Good luck on your wonderful journey!

[PuppyLovinNurse]

Originally Posted by ILUVSADIE

I'm an RN in the recovery room of a level I trauma center - so I literally see EVERYTHING.

When I was in nursing school, the smell of poop really bothered me - so during the Summer, I worked as an aide at a nursing home and believe me that TOTALLY desensitized me to the smell of poop, pee, etc.!!!

I absolutely love being an RN - there are a million different things you can do in our field. I personally love bedside nursing. If you don't like the job your doing, you can always transfer to another unit. Even after many years, you still learn new things everyday!!

Good Luck and don't worry so much about it - it'll all fall into place.

LOL I agree. My whole first-year of nsg school, my clinical placement was in a nursing home and I can't agree more about being desensitized to the smell of poop.

My above post about the woman who had the enema, was when we had first started & I gagged my way through it. Poop smell had NEVER bothered me, but it was hot in there & there was so much of it, the whole floor stunk to high heavens. It was just horrible.

Now, I don't even think I can smell poop anymore

[mizzwanned]

My mom is a nurse and she said she used to want to faint at the sight of blood but she is used to it now and deals with it like it's nothing. She is now going to work at the ER at a hospital, imagine that.

[Mardelin]

Retired Nurse here. Nothing bothered me like working in pediatrics. The heartache was overwhelming. Witnessing abuse cases, babies born with cancer, drug babies...just a bit much.

When I first started I worked in a private office and was assisting my Doctor with my 1st Vasectomy...she took the scapel and took made the first incision....I excused myself and went out into the hallway and passed out.

[yorkiegirl83]

I give you so much credit (all of you guys) for being able to do this job. I thought about nursing because I wanted to help people, but lookinf into it further I know I could never do it.

I'm the kind of person who "takes things home" with them and things can upset me for weeks... months...
And I'm deathly afraid of hospitals myself, so I just know I couldn't do it at all

[PuppyLovinNurse]

Originally Posted by yorkiegirl83

I give you so much credit (all of you guys) for being able to do this job. I thought about nursing because I wanted to help people, but lookinf into it further I know I could never do it.

I'm the kind of person who "takes things home" with them and things can upset me for weeks... months...
And I'm deathly afraid of hospitals myself, so I just know I couldn't do it at all

I'm the kind of person that really holds onto upsetting stuff, too. I guess you just have to talk about it to other people. They encourage us to talk to our fellow students and teachers if we need to because it really can upset you. Chances are, other people are feeling the same way.

You don't have to work in a hospital as a nurse. There are SO many options. You could work as a legal nurse, a nurse specialist for a research company, etc.

Good luck with whatever you do