Smelly Co-Worker

Nurses General Nursing

Published

What would you all do about a co-worker with an odor problem?

This gal LOOKS clean but she smells BAD. The beginning of the shift is fine, the middle of the shift and things get bad. I see her sneak off to the bathroom with BO Juice in hand but she still smells bad.

It isn't always body odor. Sometimes it is but it is something different. I feel weird about explaining exactly what it is, but it is usually a very strong, different odor. Please understand, this is not once every now and again, this is daily. It's a rare day that there is no odor.

To my knowledge we have never had a patient complaint, but I don't know why. She is a sweet nurse, very good at what she does, very skilled at her profession, but she stinks!

I really don't think it is a lack of showering, she comes to work and smells fine. Within a few hours it is bad.

Suggestions on how to tell her? I don't want to hurt her feelings but geez...

Specializes in LTC.

Has it occurred to anybody here that the nurse in question may read these forums? Just a thought...

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

I'd think it's possible. You never know.

If it were me that had this problem, i'd want to be told about it (to tell someone they have an infection could be very inaccurate). And after being told this, i could probably use guidence, a recommendation to someone for a checkup, and help with how to handle the diagnosis.

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Glad i'm not the only one that thought the site an email thing was mean.

Oh Marie, I would NEVER send her such an email. Not for anything in the world. I think that site was an amusing offshoot of a topic somewhat difficult to discuss.

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Specializes in LTC.
Very few people are good at confrontations that concern such a sensitive issue as B.O.

Real estate agents constantly have to keep quiet to avoid offending their clients. The homeowner is wondering why their home won't sell. The agent knows exactly why: pet urine odors, stale cigarette smoke, unclean conditions, mildewy stench. But the agent cannot tell his/her client the truth (that their home smells) without offending them.

No one feels comfortable with confronting about B.O.

When I had to sell my house after my husband passed away a few years ago, I tried really hard to keep the litter box clean; my real estate agent was very honest with me and told me it would sell much faster without the cat odor. So, I moved myself and my babies back to my home state before selling the house. I appreciated my agent's honesty, as I was able to get the house sold within one month instead of several.

The way I see it, it's easier to take being told that your house smells than being told your body smells; my last boyfriend told me in a very gentle way that I had breath problems and that was so much harder to take, even though he was very sensitive toward my feelings.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
Oh Marie, I would NEVER send her such an email. Not for anything in the world. I think that site was an amusing offshoot of a topic somewhat difficult to discuss.

Unfortunately, there are people that use it as a way of telling someone.

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I was just thinking, if it really is BV. How could you not know what the treatment was if you are a nurse?

Because not all BV is alike. BV is a catch-all dx. If you look up "exactly" what BV means, it is quite non-specific.

Some BV responds to an acidic envirnoment (the typical cure) and some respond ONLY to an alkaline environment. (Not easy to find info on this)

I was reading articles by a guy who teaches chemistry in medical schools and his area of research is good bacteria. I emailed him with my pt's sx's and he is the one that told me too much good bacteria are as problematic as too much bad. It's the "normal flora" and most docs will automatically prescribe abxs and that is NOT the treatment for some forms of BV. In my research I even discovered that there are BV specialists! I had no idea.

Most of the time BV seems to be easily treated. But there are those where it is not. I tend to think this nurse is one that has a rough time figuring out the correct tx.

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Unfortunately, there are people that use it as a way of telling someone.

I totally agree! I am blunt but not intentionally mean. Heck, I don't even mean to be blunt. I'm far more blunt on line vs. real time, but the fact remains I'd LOVE to have the tact that others have.

I really, sincerely, honestly wish I had the tact others have. I'd give anything for tact. But I don't have it so I posted my question here. You have to admit, I've received a lot of great advice and that is what I need.

Others are cruel, beyond cruel. As soon as she walks in an area where others are, they start sniffing the air and complaining about the stench. As they walk past her they make horrible comments, direct and blunt comments such as, "Geez, something reeks in here!"

I love being a nurse but sometimes I am offended by my own profession. That is all the more reason why I really want to do what I can to help her. She's a fine nurse and her clinical skills are better than most. She really cares about her patients and she does a good job. She's hard working, honest, loyal, skilled, bright, has great critical thinking skills. But I'm worried about her overall mood. I see this as being not just a social problem, but a personal emotional issue.

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Whatever the cause, I think we all can agree that a good medical checkup is in order. But may I share a true story. About 10 years ago this happened to a 14 year old I had to take care of. She had placed a tampon in and forgot to remove it. She forgot all about it because the string had migrated up and so did the tampon. Her mother was noticing a very terrible odor on towels and clothing. Stumped, she finally came to her dgt and told her she was concerned about the odor and was questioning her on hygeine ect. Finally some how they had figured out it could have been a tampon, left in her for at least 3 weeks. She came to the ER and I was actually the one who pulled it out after locating the string. The smell you would never forget. Black liquid followed out after the removal. How lucky she was to have not developed toxic shock or even sepsis. This dear person may have a very serious problem that could turn deadly. I don't think anyone who is truely concerned for her should think twice about expressing your heartfelt concern and being very direct. Don't focus on the oder excessively but more the concern for her to get a good checkup.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiac, ICU.

So what are you going to do Bipley?

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Whatever the cause, I think we all can agree that a good medical checkup is in order. But may I share a true story. About 10 years ago this happened to a 14 year old I had to take care of. She had placed a tampon in and forgot to remove it. She forgot all about it because the string had migrated up and so did the tampon. Her mother was noticing a very terrible odor on towels and clothing. Stumped, she finally came to her dgt and told her she was concerned about the odor and was questioning her on hygeine ect. Finally some how they had figured out it could have been a tampon, left in her for at least 3 weeks. She came to the ER and I was actually the one who pulled it out after locating the string. The smell you would never forget. Black liquid followed out after the removal. How lucky she was to have not developed toxic shock or even sepsis. This dear person may have a very serious problem that could turn deadly. I don't think anyone who is truely concerned for her should think twice about expressing your heartfelt concern and being very direct. Don't focus on the oder excessively but more the concern for her to get a good checkup.

This odor has been a problem for months and months.

While I KNOW the odor you refer to (AAAAAAHHHHHHH) this isn't it. But I do understand your point about a need for an MD visit.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiac, ICU.
This odor has been a problem for months and months.

While I KNOW the odor you refer to (AAAAAAHHHHHHH) this isn't it. But I do understand your point about a need for an MD visit.

Again, I say what are ya gonna do?;)

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So what are you going to do Bipley?

I am going to suck it up, take her to lunch, and have a chat. I am going to be direct and to the point but I'm going to do my best to accomplish this in a manner that is clinical and friendly. I'm going to talk to her as a nurse and her new friend.

We aren't close friend by any means, but due to circumstances we may become closer friends than I expected. :specs:

I'm still exceedingly concerned about my approach, but I'm working on memorizing the script posted earlier.

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