I finally did it. The procedure that drives fear into the hearts of nursing and medical students alike.
I inserted a foley catheter today.
I won't go into details, but it was a lot more difficult doing it on a lab dummy, but for some reason it was less stressful. I can't say it went off without a hitch, but the important part is the patient has been given some needed relief.
We're halfway through our first clinical now, and I've done tube feedings, helped change wound dressings (and the most foul odor I have ever smelled is a stage four decubitis ulcer), performed neurological assessments and full assessments.
And I've done the stuff people warned me about: bathing patients, transporting them, repositioning them, making beds -- both unoccupied and occupied -- cleaning up vomit, changing a Depends and wiping dirty bottoms (my mom would be so proud).
Don't get me wrong, that stuff is pretty unpleasant to do. But seeing how much better a patient looks and feels after doing that stuff for them -- well, when the patients' discomforts went away any doubts I still had about becoming a nurse pretty much left, too.
13 comments:
I don't like the looks of those catheter deals.
But I am proud of you for transcending the gross factor and seeing the beauty of your profession. We'll all need help like that someday.
Wow, I teared up a little reading the last sentence. I'm proud of you, man.
George, I think you reach a point with the gross stuff where you just realize that it's all part of being human. I went through this when my mother was dying and I was doing some of these same things to her. I'm sure it helped that it was my mother, but I think it's possible to have that same type of concern for any other human, related or not. I'm really happy for you that you're taking such pride in what you're doing. I'm not surprised, though. As long as I've know you, that's par for the course.
George, good for you! I got a little scared about reading your post when I looked at that pic, but naturally you worked like a champ.
Third base? It's nice to know you're keeping your sense of humor as boyishly inappropriate as ever!
It's nice to know that kc will have a great nurse when she's old, rich, and enfeebled. I sure she'll hire you as a round-the-clock servant-nurse.
Way to go, George. You're perfect for this, you know.
Awesome man!!! What's w/ the balloon??
Thanks, all. I've gone over how my family hasn't exactly been supportive of me going to nursing school, but you guys have been behind me all the way.
Though Erin, when you say I'm perfect for this, do you mean nursing in general, or are you being specific about placing catheters?
Chris, the balloon is filled with sterile saline, and it's what keeps the tube in place. Maybe it's also why it hurt so much when yours was removed -- they probably decided not to deflate it.
Well that explains why she had a syringe when it was removed, to deflate the balloon... because it certainly wasn't to numb the area.
I meant being a nurse, G. I'd have to see your catheter skills in person to make a judgment on that.
Next time we all get together I'll bring a cath kit. Then we'll just need Ben, kc or cl to volunteer.
Congrats, George. When my dad was in the hospital he had a lot of trouble letting people do the basic things that he couldn't anymore. Having caring and professional nurses really helped my dad maintain a sense of dignity during very stressful times. I'm proud of you.
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