HELP! Masking the smell of feces!

[WhitneyRene]

I am a first-year nursing student in my second semester of Clinical rotations. My biggest fear in pursing Nursing was not being able to contain my disdain for foul smells. Last night was my first true test on how I might be able to handle said situations and in my eyes I failed massively. I can stare at and watch some of the most grotesque things but the minute the smell hits my nares I'm donezo. Last night I was simply the holder/pusher while my classmate did the actual dirty work but even that almost had me on the verge of vomiting right where I was standing. I tried thinking of a million other things than what was perspiring. I even attempted to breath through my mouth, however, my jaw was clenched shut for fear of what would happen if I opened my mouth. All humor aside,(or not) I walked out feeling defeated and questioned if I am capable of being a "good" nurse. I'm begging for advice/tips/encouragement. Anything to take with me next week to clinical's!

-Sincerely.

[jdub6]

I buy little tubes of regular chapstick that come in different flavors that are really strong and if I walk into a room and know I'm going to need it, I excuse myself with the patient and say "I just nweed to put some chapstick on real quick" and I rub it right below my nose. Patient's have never caught on and think I'm just putting it on my lips.

It doesnt completly get rid of the smell but it does take the edge off. I wouldn't recommend anything minty because it seems to open the nasal passages and makes the smell worse.

Good idea and nice to be sensitive to the pts feelings but keep in mind that applying chapstick in clinical areas (and sometimes even the nursing station is a clinical area) is against OSHA and almost always facility policy too. Do this in front of a surveyor or manager or infection control and you will have a problem. Add inconvenient as it is this is best done in the bathroom. If you are surprised you either deal with it or interrupt somehow ("oops, we have no more briefs/ wipes/butt paste/ whatever, I'll run and get some", then if you can't get to the bathroom you can at least be in the supply room where no one will see. )

I don't personally have issues with smells (don't like them but can tolerate) but I think that's an advantage to the mask thing, you can apply a mask wherever you need to and spray whatever you need to inside it beforehand in the locker room or whatever.

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

I was taught the trick of taking two face masks and smearing on some toothpaste on one of them and then sticking it to the other. Works great!!

[Adele_Michal7, ASN, RN]

Plastic cup. Fluffed up 2x2's crammed in said cup. 3-10 drops of essential oil. Tape it near offensive smell. Instant game changer.

[Adele_Michal7, ASN, RN]

[quote=Lev oh, yes! It does.

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

I'd look into scented nasal clips or strips. There are several different varieties with many different scents. Most of them are relatively discreet and you could wear it with or without a mask. A new one that comes to mind is a company called Aromaid. Their clips are available in a few different colors to match skin tones so you can wear it without it being obvious.

[Reds5588, BSN]

I was a CNA for ten years before becoming a nurse, and I learned to master mouth breathing. As the years go on it won't even bother you as much.

And to the previous poster who said its the "CNAS problem," I hate to break the news to you, but you are very wrong. I handle just as much feces now as before. We often go without a CNA, or the CNA needs assistance. Always remember the importance of teamwork as a nurse!