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...

:Melody: smelly nurse

smeeelllly nurse

WHAT are they feeding you

smelly nurse

smeeelllly nurse

IT's not your fault!:Melody:

bawahhhahahahahahaha...I couldn't help myself. It's so late and I am feeling silly.

I do feel sad for this poor woman!:crying2:

As in ... smelly cat??? BWAHAHAHAHA

Yeah, all kidding aside I can't imagine what this gal is going through just simply going to work. I feel very bad for her.

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allright... I am going to try it with yours and my yahoo address. then if it has a link I'll post it here...be back in a few

Waiting waiting waiting......................

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Could well be.

You know, my problem is that I lack tact. I can have all the right intentions and seriously want to say and do the right things but I sound farr different from my intent. That is why I came here. I need specific words. Exactly, what do I say and how do I say it?

If she is running to the restroom with a container of Mtichum and carries FDS feminine odor spray around in her purse, then in all likelihood she definitely knows she possesses offensive body odor. If you were to confront her about it, it would only alert her that she's not doing enough to eradicate (or cover up) the odor.

Even though she is a sweet person, there's something wrong with her. As a nurse, she should know better than to cover any odor up. The ultimate goal is to eradicate any unusual odors, and to seek medical attention if the B.O. is persistent in returning.

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wow.

bless your heart.

and hers.

Thank you. You do understand.

This woman is NOT a dirty person. Her hair is clean, she smells fine at the beginning of a shift. There is something wrong and it isn't due to a lack of showering. Something is WRONG.

I think her overall personality is why she hasn't had complaints from staff and patients. But that doesn't mean SHE isn't suffering. I have no idea if her problem causes physical pain, but obviously it MUST cause emotional pain.

I just wish I had a magical cure for her.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I have no idea if her problem causes physical pain, but obviously it MUST cause emotional pain.
I didn't want to say this, but her odor probably has been enough to turn potential boyfriends away. If she cannot remain odor-free during a typical shift at work, imagine how she'd be during a date. Over the course of a date that lasted several hours (movies, dinner, dancing, etc.) she would probably smell good at the beginning but become progressively stinkier as the night passed.

I'm pretty sure this issue is causing her emotional pain. Ignorance is bliss, but she's obviously not ignorant of the problem. This really is sad.

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If she is running to the restroom with a container of Mtichum and carries FDS feminine odor spray around in her purse, then in all likelihood she definitely knows she possesses offensive body odor. If you were to confront her about it, it would only alert her that she's not doing enough to eradicate (or cover up) the odor.

Even though she is a sweet person, there's something wrong with her. As a nurse, she should know better than to cover any odor up. The ultimate goal is to eradicate any unusual odors, and to seek medical attention if the B.O. is persistent in returning.

I agree. But how does one approach another female and say, "Hey, you really stink!" without being insulting? This is something I'm just not good at.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.
Waiting waiting waiting......................

ok it let me register just fine but i can't register another user...the website keeps telling me invalid url; try to cut and paste again.

if anyone else wants to try, register yourself then send me the other notification at [email protected]

if you need an email to be the recipient you can use my other email but I will have to PM you with it

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I didn't want to say this, but her odor probably has been enough to turn potential boyfriends away. If she cannot remain odor-free during a typical shift at work, imagine how she'd be during a date. Over the course of a date that lasted several hours (movies, dinner, dancing, etc.) she would probably smell good at the beginning but become progressively stinkier as the night passed.

I'm pretty sure this issue is causing her emotional pain. Ignorance is bliss, but she's obviously not ignorant of the problem. This really is sad.

I've actually thought about the same thing. She avoids people like the plague. It is clear she knows there is a problem, but she apparently doesn't know what to do about it. My s/o is a psychiatrist and I asked him... How do I approach her? He is clueless. But aren't MOST men clueless when it comes to dealing with female issues of this nature?

I *sincerely* want to help, but *I* need help in the approach. That is my issue.

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ok it let me register just fine but i can't register another user...the website keeps telling me invalid url; try to cut and paste again.

if anyone else wants to try, register yourself then send me the other notification at [email protected]

if you need an email to be the recipient you can use my other email but I will have to PM you with it

I'll do it. I'll do it now.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
But how does one approach another female and say, "Hey, you really stink!" without being insulting? This is something I'm just not good at.
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.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.
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.

between your house and your hoohah...i think your hoohah is WAY more personal though:lol2: :eek: :chair:

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ok it let me register just fine but i can't register another user...the website keeps telling me invalid url; try to cut and paste again.

if anyone else wants to try, register yourself then send me the other notification at [email protected]

if you need an email to be the recipient you can use my other email but I will have to PM you with it

Didn't work. I said that [email protected] stinks and used my other yahoo.com address and there was an error message.

I think we need a 3rd person to say [email protected] stinks.

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