I can't get that smell out of my mind...........

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · Mar 6, 2009

Some people's BMs smell worse than others. It'll never smell pretty to you, but you will eventually get to a point where you can identify the resident by the smell of their poop... all in a day's work :yawn:

Ling07 · Mar 6, 2009

I know all BM smell, but I just want to get this smell out of my mind.

greeniebean · Mar 6, 2009

i've worked at my LTC so long i can figure out who had a BM just by the smell in the hall!

Sometimes the bad smells stay with ya. But it'll fade eventually. just remember smells come with the territory!

teysmith · Mar 6, 2009

I plan to become a cna and this sounds so gross!! but I feel like I will be able to handle it. I hope I'm right!

flightnurse2b, LPN · Mar 7, 2009

there are some products you can invest in.

for one, burt's bees lip balm. it's super minty. put some on your finger and rub it underneath your nares.

another, vicks vapo-rub inhaler. it looks kind of like a lip balm sized tube, you can inhale a sniff after cleaning your resident to help clear your sinuses.

lastly, is to shower with lemon juice after your shift. it helps to kill the smell that may have stuck to the fine hairs in your nose as well as your hair.

your facility may have some kitty litter, coffee grounds or peppermint oil you may use to freshen up the pt's room... some people will put kitty litter or coffe grounds in a basin and put it under the bed. or rub a dab of peppermint oil on a 4x4 and place on the windowsill. all of these do not cause respiratory compromised patients to become SOB when you use them as lysol or febreeze does.

good luck! :)

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2009

there are some products you can invest in.
for one, burt's bees lip balm. it's super minty. put some on your finger and rub it underneath your nares.
another, vicks vapo-rub inhaler. it looks kind of like a lip balm sized tube, you can inhale a sniff after cleaning your resident to help clear your sinuses.
lastly, is to shower with lemon juice after your shift. it helps to kill the smell that may have stuck to the fine hairs in your nose as well as your hair.
your facility may have some kitty litter, coffee grounds or peppermint oil you may use to freshen up the pt's room... some people will put kitty litter or coffe grounds in a basin and put it under the bed. or rub a dab of peppermint oil on a 4x4 and place on the windowsill. all of these do not cause respiratory compromised patients to become SOB when you use them as lysol or febreeze does.
good luck! :)

What great tips :yeah: ! I'll have to remember those b/c I'm applying at a lot of LTC facilities .

asun21ta · Mar 7, 2009

I had a resident like that. I swear, I smelled her everywhere. I couldn't stand the smell of it (well, all of it stinks, but who wants to smell that all day?) I even worked at one place where the food kinda smelled like the poo!

I have found that dapping some scented oil just under your nose and a good shower when you get home takes care of all of that.

It really gets to you at first, but after a while, it will all stink the same!

itsmyturn · Mar 7, 2009

We use vicks before we go into the smell, not after...why make a memory when you can avoid it in the first place! :)

truern · Mar 7, 2009

A hot steamy shower making sure to get some steam in your nose helps, then blow your nose well. I used to smell the hospital on myself after work no matter what I tried...until I hit on the shower trick.

Ling07 · Mar 7, 2009

there are some products you can invest in.
for one, burt's bees lip balm. it's super minty. put some on your finger and rub it underneath your nares.
another, vicks vapo-rub inhaler. it looks kind of like a lip balm sized tube, you can inhale a sniff after cleaning your resident to help clear your sinuses.
lastly, is to shower with lemon juice after your shift. it helps to kill the smell that may have stuck to the fine hairs in your nose as well as your hair.
your facility may have some kitty litter, coffee grounds or peppermint oil you may use to freshen up the pt's room... some people will put kitty litter or coffe grounds in a basin and put it under the bed. or rub a dab of peppermint oil on a 4x4 and place on the windowsill. all of these do not cause respiratory compromised patients to become SOB when you use them as lysol or febreeze does.
good luck! :)

Wow thanks. You sure know your stuff!!

yousoldtheworld · Mar 7, 2009

Yes, i always use the mintiest lip balms I can find. I don't put them right under my nose because my skin is sensitive, but I slather it on my lips and it has a similar effect. I bring a scented lotion (mint or citrus ones are best) with me and put it on my hands and arms often, so my nose notices that more than any lingering scents.

I also swear by the Vicks inhaler for really bad ones. It's small enough that you can carry it in your pocket.