Ostomate stressing about Nursing School and classmates

[rajja]

:sign0085: Hey everyone, wondering if anyone who has an ostomy bag has ever had experience in a CPR or Nursing class where students are required to "practice" on each other, and how they handled the situation. I'm in a nursing program and have a health assessment class coming up and know we will be paired up with another student to practice. In a previous CPR class when we practiced i just covered my stomach with my hand and kind of placed the other girls hand just above my belly button which worked fine, but I'm not sure what to expect during nursing classes. I know some people don't mind others knowing, but I prefer to keep it private. If anyone can give me ideas or what to expect during these classes, I'd really appreciate it!

 

[Wishes Count]

I don't have an ostomy bag, nor have I been to nursing school but I thought of a suggestion for how I would handle the situation

You probably will get to pick your partner when you do this activity, so perhaps there is someone in the class that you know or would feel comfortable working with and you can just tell that person. If partners were assigned I would also let the instructor know that you want to work with this one person because they are aware of a medical device you have. The instructor should be accommodating

 

[rajja]

I think letting the instructor know I have concerns is a good idea. I'd rather noone knows in the class, (I don't know anyone) but maybe things will change once I get there. Thanks for replying!

 

[DonnaSophia]

I don't have an ostomy, but I did get out of nursing school about three years ago. I can tell you that during our physical assessment part of clinicals we did have to do full abdominal exams on our partners. We never did rectal, reproductive, or breast exams though. It wasn't in front of the whole class or anything, we were in small exam rooms, just two people at a time. And unless your partner has zero insecurities about his/her own body, you'll both be nervous about it - unfortunately, I don't know if there's any way you can avoid having at least one other person in class seeing it...

 

[Johnnysmom]

I would just tell my partner, privately right before the exam, what was going on. I would also tell them that it is a private matter and you would appreciate her keeping that confidence. Anyone who doesn't respect and understand that should not be in nursing. It sucks that your privacy is compromised

 

[Noonecantellmewhatswrong]

I don't have an ostomy but am a second year nursing student. When I had health assessment we only paired up for some things. Nothing involving lifting my shirt for. I did volunteer though for classmates to palpate my abdomen, specifically to feel the hiatal hernia I have and to see the scars from a gallbladder surgery. I wouldn't have had to do that if I didn't want to. I suggest bringing it up with the instructor and then finding someone you are comfortable with.

 

[Susan2]

I know that you feel that you would like to keep your situation private, but think about how much benefit it would be to Crohn's patients if these future nurses had some understanding of the disease and its effects.

 

[rajja]

Hey everyone, so my first class was today and I am fortunate to have a great instructor who values student's rights to privacy. I talked with her after class and without revealing details asked if we would all have to be "patients" during the labs. She said other people in the past have had concerns with this also and it's not a big deal to opt out for certain tasks, just to remind her the week before. The point is to have us experience "being a patient". Whew, I'm so relieved! I'm also happy to have stumbled upon this site. Everything for a reason I guess!

 

[KWalker]

Good for you! I'm glad that put you at ease so you don't have to be uncomfortable during that time