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...

I'll be praying for you both tomorrow.

I'm not even a Christian yet I sincerely appreciate the thought. Thank you!

Specializes in Geriatrics, acute hospital care, rehab.

Maybe if you continually offer them gum/altoids etc they'll get the drift:Snow:

Have you read the entire thread? I think the point has been made that this nurse is aware of the problem and no one is assuming that she isn't. It has also been discussed that she is trying to hide the odor and her methods seem to be ineffective. She is not alone. In fact, the other co-workers have been quite tactless in there manner of addressing the same issue. A patient may not immediately connect the odor with the nurse herself, but merely the smell of someone she may have been working with or even the hospital itself. And they certainly wouldn't assume it to be bacterial vaginosis...which is what most likely is causing the problem. If you reviewed Bipley's approach, she isn't planning on bringing it up at the hospital or in the manner in which you have suggested.

This nurse is obviously struggling with a serious medical issue that is causing her to isolate herself from co-workers and who knows who else.

She may be trying to self medicate and too busy or too embarassed to schedule a much needed GYN appointment.

This could lead to more serious problems down the road.

see this website:

http://www.cdc.gov/std/BV/STDFact-Bacterial-Vaginosis.htm#WhatIs

A 'true' friend which be honest and upfront in a compassionate and helpful manner. She could become very close with this nurse, but that doesn't mean that the nurse will ever be confident or secure bringing up such a personal issue. And in the meantime, her condition may worsen and she will still be suffering the psychosocial stigmatisms and insecurities mentioned previously.

I am not sure what in my posts has upset you enough to pick apart my posts. If you read them, I NEVER said that bipley should NEVER say anything to her, I said that maybe, pre-emptively, Bipley should make some attempts to befriend this person, so that she won't approach her out of the blue with this tough topic. It might make it easier if Bipley knows her a bit better-I don't mean weeks and weeks, maybe just a few days of attempting to talk to her about other stuff first, and letting her know that Bipley thinks weel of her. What about that makes you so upset? Geez.

Hey Bipley~

Just wanted to say "good luck today" and let us know how it went!

Prayers and thoughts are with you! :)

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

Bipley, thank you for doing the right thing. Really, thank you.

I know I would WANT someone to do this for me, as much as it would hurt hearing it. I would much rather people be upfront than mean or passive-aggressive.

Let us know how it works out. You are doing the right thing; you are being kind.

I agree...you are doing the kindest thing, in a very confidential way.

I hope she gets from you that it is confidential.........I mean as confidential as your conversation goes. Of course everyone knows that she has a problem already, but your conversation should be kept confidential, ESP. from the other mean co-workers.

And I hope she goes to the doctor and gets a diagnosis on this problem, and then maybe your research will help to alleviate it.

Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.
Maybe if you continually offer them gum/altoids etc they'll get the drift:Snow:

what?

Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.
I am not sure what in my posts has upset you enough to pick apart my posts. If you read them, I NEVER said that bipley should NEVER say anything to her, I said that maybe, pre-emptively, Bipley should make some attempts to befriend this person, so that she won't approach her out of the blue with this tough topic. It might make it easier if Bipley knows her a bit better-I don't mean weeks and weeks, maybe just a few days of attempting to talk to her about other stuff first, and letting her know that Bipley thinks weel of her. What about that makes you so upset? Geez.

I am not upset. I simply disagree with you. There is a big difference there. They are co-workers and Bipley talks very kindly of her, so they do have a rapport. Just not the very very close relationship one would hope to have when approaching such a sensitive issue, and that type of relationship takes more than just a few days, my friend.:p

Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiac, ICU.
what?

I don't think they read the whole thread.

Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.
I don't think they read the whole thread.

or even the first two pages:rotfl:

Maybe if you continually offer them gum/altoids etc they'll get the drift:Snow:

Ummmm.....is this a new treatment that I haven't heard of????:rolleyes:

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.
Ummmm.....is this a new treatment that I haven't heard of????:rolleyes:

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

yes, I hear that doctors now are ordering prescription strength altoid lady partsl suppositories for that 'not so fresh' smell.

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