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 Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Sounds like a medical condition of some sort......even cancer comes to my mind.

(the rotting meat you mentioned-----I have smelt that on people with some form of cancer)

I have no idea for sure what is up---but it does sound medical of nature, like BV perhaps, if you feel it may be ummm a personal odor. Sad, sounds like she is aware of it.

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Specializes in Education, Administration, Magnet.
Sounds like a medical condition of some sort......even cancer comes to my mind.

What else could cause such a bad smell from that area? I have never heard of such a bad case.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I don't know. But I think someone ought to tell her somehow......it's not easy but this is sad to me.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Sounds like a medical condition of some sort......even cancer comes to my mind.
I hope I'm not the only one who has noticed that hospital cancer wards have a distinctive smell. The smell is not necessarily offending or horrible; however, other hospital floors do not possess the same smell as the oncology ward. I've been told that it is the unmistakable 'smell of cancer'.
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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I found the odor of cancer very offensive. I should know, having lost several family members and a beloved pet to it. I know how awful it can be.

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:barf02: whew! that is pretty bad...

probably a lady partsl problem eh? well, that is certainly personal.

I think I will agree that maybe you should start a conversation with her non-chalant like about "smelly probs", maybe refer to a previous pt...see if she picks up on the clue.

If all else fails, take a deep breath (maybe not directly around her) and then pull her to the side and talk to her like you would a patient..."Look, I have something I want to talk to you about. I have noticed that after you work for sometime you tend to run to the bathroom with ___. Is there something going on that you would like to talk to a friend about. I am concerned."

Now that's not a bad idea! I kinda like this. Non-confrontational and maybe I can help.

Now I have to go read up on dead, rotting, stinking, lady partsl odors. LOL

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:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: the site intro is so funny I want to send a notification to myself just to see what it says:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

I looked at that site, I believe you have to have two email addys saying YOU STINK! I'll say you stink, I mean... obviously I am sure you don't but I'll be your 2nd email address. :chuckle

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Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.
Now that's not a bad idea! I kinda like this. Non-confrontational and maybe I can help.

Now I have to go read up on dead, rotting, stinking, lady partsl odors. LOL

hahahahaha I think I just wet my pants...this is so NOT something to laugh about but I just can't help it:rotfl: At any rate, good luck with this!

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Specializes in ICU,ER.
What else could cause such a bad smell from that area? I have never heard of such a bad case.

trichomonis (sp) or bacterial vaginosis

trust me, when you work in the ER and are assigned to the Pelvic Palace.... ew. There have been cases where the room needed to be "aired out" after a good case of trich. I have to go to the BR and wash the inside of my nose to get the smell out.

Flagyl, baby.

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When you mention 'BO Juice', are you making reference to Summer's Eve or FDS feminine-area sprays?

I've seen her go to the bathroom with Mitchum. However when she leaves her purse laying open I have seen FDS spray.

I know she is trying however she is failing.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

then the kind thing to do is take her aside and discuss it with her like Soldier'swife suggested.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.
I looked at that site, I believe you have to have two email addys saying YOU STINK! I'll say you stink, I mean... obviously I am sure you don't but I'll be your 2nd email address. :chuckle

thanks. You are a true friend:chuckle ! I actually have two email accounts but I am afraid to register because of all the darn junk email!

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