I am now officially taking back all prejudice comments I have ever made against nursing staff (... in old age care homes). I still believe that their "robust" ways are a bit too cold every now and then and things could be done a bit more smoothly and maybe nicer, but I reckon that if one approaches this job too emotionally, it will make things harder than it already is. It is so scary how some men were absolutely handsome and once old age hit, they are nothing like it anymore, sometimes even beyond recognition. However, most are still very charming, even in their old age, happily complimenting me.
Woke up and 5am, got to work at 7am first thing in the morning, showering a lady that required extreme high care. She wasn't able to do anything on her own at all. She couldn't even talk. I was quite shocked, because I thought that all residents in the "high care" area would be like this (as I found out later, only about 1 or 2 require this much help). We changed her pads, which was probably the most disgusting thing EVER! The urine smell almost killed me. Especially with my sensitive nose and that too so early in the morning. I was standing there next to my mentor who was showing stuff to me and this other new carer, while I was happily gagging away *professional*. YES. I did well though *haha* I made my gagging look very natural and inconspicuous and I don't think my mentor noticed.
After we were finished with this lady, I was in a state of shock until about lunch time, because the idea that I have to clean peoples bums and smell urine just killed me. Just before we were able to go to lunch, we fed the residents. That was fun. The lady I was feeding was a bit ner. I wasn't really sure whether she was full, hungry, didn't like the food, or whether it was too hot or not, because she was barely able to whisper the answers to my questions to me. She did eat in the end so that was good. I felt bad though, because this experienced nurse came by and basically shoved the food down this ladies throat and I didn't really want to do that. Can't absolutely force people to eat.
The guy next to me was fun. He happily told me that he didn't like the color of the table cloth (it was a happy yellow ... but I think I actually agree with him. It looks too sterile) and didn't want to eat his sandwich, because it was made of metal. But he ended up offering me half of that sandwich so that was sweet.
Although I am pretty overwhelmed with all the information and PIN codes (I have to remember a PIN code for every single staff entry only door and the main entry/exit doors and now I just got my new Credit Card and supriiiseee I have to remember PIN for that too) and people and things and smells and shocks and although I am devoid of energy and want to run away, I still somehow am looking forward to going back there again. It is so much of fun to interact with the elderly who are a bit more aware of their surroundings and who are able to hold a conversation. I think it is very rewarding. My next 2 shifts will be all about afternoon care and putting them into bed. So let's see how that will go. I'm sure I will post bits and pieces on my blog anyway.
[Tune]
John Mayer: Gravity
Woke up and 5am, got to work at 7am first thing in the morning, showering a lady that required extreme high care. She wasn't able to do anything on her own at all. She couldn't even talk. I was quite shocked, because I thought that all residents in the "high care" area would be like this (as I found out later, only about 1 or 2 require this much help). We changed her pads, which was probably the most disgusting thing EVER! The urine smell almost killed me. Especially with my sensitive nose and that too so early in the morning. I was standing there next to my mentor who was showing stuff to me and this other new carer, while I was happily gagging away *professional*. YES. I did well though *haha* I made my gagging look very natural and inconspicuous and I don't think my mentor noticed.
After we were finished with this lady, I was in a state of shock until about lunch time, because the idea that I have to clean peoples bums and smell urine just killed me. Just before we were able to go to lunch, we fed the residents. That was fun. The lady I was feeding was a bit ner. I wasn't really sure whether she was full, hungry, didn't like the food, or whether it was too hot or not, because she was barely able to whisper the answers to my questions to me. She did eat in the end so that was good. I felt bad though, because this experienced nurse came by and basically shoved the food down this ladies throat and I didn't really want to do that. Can't absolutely force people to eat.
The guy next to me was fun. He happily told me that he didn't like the color of the table cloth (it was a happy yellow ... but I think I actually agree with him. It looks too sterile) and didn't want to eat his sandwich, because it was made of metal. But he ended up offering me half of that sandwich so that was sweet.
Although I am pretty overwhelmed with all the information and PIN codes (I have to remember a PIN code for every single staff entry only door and the main entry/exit doors and now I just got my new Credit Card and supriiiseee I have to remember PIN for that too) and people and things and smells and shocks and although I am devoid of energy and want to run away, I still somehow am looking forward to going back there again. It is so much of fun to interact with the elderly who are a bit more aware of their surroundings and who are able to hold a conversation. I think it is very rewarding. My next 2 shifts will be all about afternoon care and putting them into bed. So let's see how that will go. I'm sure I will post bits and pieces on my blog anyway.
[Tune]
John Mayer: Gravity
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