What dirty jobs does an LPN do?

My wife is an LPN and yes you have to insert catheters, give enemas, baths, place and remove bedpans and clean butts. Plus you have to do all the paper work. RN's also have to do the same thing as LPNs.If you work in a doctors office or clinic it would only be vital signs and paper work. I don't think you really want to be a nurse. My wife is also a freelance writer. If you want to see more about what happens in a nurse's day read these two short stories.

My grandfather's visiting nurse did all those things you are apprehensive about. However, LPN's have taken over much of what used to be done by RN's and the RN's some of DR's responsibilities. It probably depends on what kind of facility as to duties. I'm starting nursing school in a few days, so can't verify what you will see. I'm a guy too, so I expect we would be frequently called on to help transfer heavy patients. You must become clinical about anatomy and body functions. I couldn't change my children's diapers without heaving and wretching. I'm doing home care for an old guy who is partially paralyzed who needs me to wipe his a$$. That's what gloves are for. You should sit down with a LPN school counselor to see if you can do this.

Well, I'm an RN, but I work in a doctor's office where lots of LPNs work, and if you choose to work in a doctor's office instead of a nursing home or a hospital then you never have to do anything gross really. That's actually why I left the hospital for the doctor's office, even though I took a bit of a pay cut - I gagged everytime I had to deal with gross stuff - and trust me, even as an RN, there is plenty of gross stuff. Don't count on CNA's doing everything for you because they are way too busy and your patient needs care right then and there, they can't wait around. Now, I give shots, start and monitor IVs (LPNs don't do that though), triage patients, call patients with results the doctor gives me, make appointments, refill medications, deal with insurance companies, and I never have to deal with poop!!!!