Fellow student is....a little stinky

caliotter3 · Sep 26, 2009

I would mention this to the instructor and put the ball in the instructor's court. And yes, the cultural thing about BO is common enough to be a problem sometimes.

dittosaur-bandaid · Sep 26, 2009

Ha...this reminds me of a (sort of) similar situation I had during pre-reqs....My first A&P class there was this really tall (and relatively good looking) guy in my class. I can't remember what the reason was but we were all lined up for something and I noticed this smell but wasn't really paying attention, but then it seemed to get stronger and turned into an all out stink...when I turned around to go back to my seat I realized he was standing RIGHT behind me and that it was coming from HIM! I was a little thrown but didn't react...I just went back to my seat and decided against flirting with him.. (am I horrible?). Don't get me wrong I didn't judge him, but any time I was close to him I did notice that he smelled.

I do feel kind of bad for people like that though. I can only hope in a situation like that, the instructor will bring it up to them privately and in as kind a manner as possible. It can be a touchy subject but let's be frank - hygiene is extremely important, especially in the health care field. And you're right, if no one brings it up to him in a gentle way, down the road a patient definitely will - and they wont be gentle about it.

morningland · Sep 26, 2009

I hear what you are saying...

But keep in mind that some people can not help their body odor. Some BO is from poor hygein (sp) and others can be hormonal. I shower every day (love my showers) where clean close and deoderent but sometime I just smell and it really sucks because people look at me like I don't take care of myself. In high school, it was so wierd, because every day like clockwork, when I would go to sixth hour I would start to get that butt smell (you know what I mean). it was very humiliating and seemed so unfair that it just came out of the blue, every day, at that specific time!.

I can sense that you already understand this but I am just re-iterating. For me, I seem to get sweety and smelly in stressful cituations, so in clinical lab... CUE THE BO!!!! It really sucks and I have taken showers right before glass, globbed on the D-O in my pits and wear cologne but I still smell.

For me, I am non-confrontational. When someones breath or BO bothers me, I don't say anything unless it's a real issue or I move away or politely ask them for my space. Be careful not to assume anything with peoples odors (not to say you have, just a general statemen). Remember that humans have a natural odor... just let him be because he may be really embarressed about something he honestly can't control

morningland · Sep 26, 2009

I would mention this to the instructor and put the ball in the instructor's court. And yes, the cultural thing about BO is common enough to be a problem sometimes.

I don't know if that is a good move. Again, how can you not rule out that this is something he honestly can't help. Furthermore, I think it's cruel to add further stress to someone when they are in nursing school. I would be very offended if someone did this to me because I do take care of myself but naturally smell sometimes, it's humiliating on its own, I don't need instructors chastising me about it. I am still trying to link the whole equation of: Stess = BO and clinicals but I simply can not find the connection... just a little dry, sarcastic wit, hehe.

I think we should just focus on the patient and learning the profession rather then what the students affairs.

Just my two cents...

talaxandra · Sep 26, 2009

When my mother was studying she had a similar issue - everyone in the class talked about this woman, and my mother decided to talk with her about it. So, after much thinking and discussion about the most tactful way to bring up this sensitive subject she finally approached the other woman. She said her piece, and the other woman said "Oh, someone else said that once." Nothing changed but at least mum felt better for having said something instead of talking about her behind her back.

Morningland, I appreciate this is a sensitive issue for you. But what if you weren't aware that you had this random six hour onset, and didn't know that people were avoiding you or whatever? If there was something you could do to change it wouldn't you rather know about it?

caliotter3 · Sep 26, 2009

It is wrong to assume that a person does or does not have knowledge of the situation or that it is only about personal hygiene, or that it is something they can not help. It is in the purview of the instructor's duties to address this issue with the individual because when they get to the workplace it will be an entirely different matter, beyond only embarassment. Sometimes, if it is a medical condition, the person can be helped; but they may not have the knowledge or insight to seek medical attention. And yes, some people need to be told about their personal hygiene habits. Better to come from an instructor in a school situation, than from someone in the HR department at a job.

DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN · Sep 26, 2009

I get the intention of your post but can I just say that this idea that Americans are universally more hygienic than non-americans it really offensive. Stating that it is a "cultural thing" comes off as rather ignorant. It is a personal thing. Americans can have BO as much as anyone.

I m sure you meant no harm but suspect you don't realize how what you wrote could be interpreted by someone from another "culture".

hummingbird11 · Sep 26, 2009

If it were me, I would want to know if I smelled bad! I would talk to the instructor, that is their job. Just as bad- nurses who wear perfume! There are so many people out there, myself included, who are allergic or sensitive to perfume. Nurses should not wear perfume. You're at work, not at a club! :eek:

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Sep 26, 2009

If it were me, I would want to know if I smelled bad! I would talk to the instructor, that is their job. Just as bad- nurses who wear perfume! There are so many people out there, myself included, who are allergic or sensitive to perfume. Nurses should not wear perfume. You're at work, not at a club!

While I don't think perfume is only for the club, I completely understand it not being worn at the hospital or LTC facilities and so on. We are not allowed to wear perfume or scented lotions at our clinicals, must be well groomed, short nails, no polish, no fake nails, and kept clean, only one post set of earring and a wedding or engagement ring, etc. etc.

ybq2008 · Sep 26, 2009

I get the intention of your post but can I just say that this idea that Americans are universally more hygienic than non-americans it really offensive. Stating that it is a "cultural thing" comes off as rather ignorant. It is a personal thing. Americans can have BO as much as anyone.
I m sure you meant no harm but suspect you don't realize how what you wrote could be interpreted by someone from another "culture".

I don't think that person meant anything offensive by that. But what she mentioned is a fact; some cultures place less of an emphasis on bathing. Ironically enough, I'm in my first semester of nursing school and we just covered hygiene this week. Within some cultures, it is common to bathe once per week. My younger brother just married a Turkish woman and while visiting their country for the wedding, I found that it is common to bathe every other day.

I don't believe the person's intent was to be elitist. Americans tend to bathe daily because the resources are present and it is a socially encouraged activity. After a few days of no bathing, sweat and bacteria accumulate an cause odor. If Americans didn't bathe daily, we would have the same issue. But we have the resources to do so, and many other countries do not.

It is very important to consider cultural practices, as the previous poster mentioned. That does not mean that the body odor should be ignored, but an instructor or mentor can find ways to compromise with the person and help them acclimate to the social practices of the new setting they are in. To the OP, good luck with that situation. If it bothered me that much, I would have a tactful conversation with the instructor and leave it at that :)

wants2BRN · Sep 28, 2009

I get the intention of your post but can I just say that this idea that Americans are universally more hygienic than non-americans it really offensive. Stating that it is a "cultural thing" comes off as rather ignorant. It is a personal thing. Americans can have BO as much as anyone.
I m sure you meant no harm but suspect you don't realize how what you wrote could be interpreted by someone from another "culture".

My mother came from "another culture" and I have an uncle from yet "another culture"....and they didn't bathe everyday. As a non-anglo person from a multicultural family I have interpreted your comments as self-rightous. I'm offended by you suggesting that I'm some sort of ignorant, insensitive, racist. I would like an apology.