Her perfume stinks!!

Dolce, RN · Mar 14, 2008

This is unbelievably insensitive. I feel sorry for her already-nauseated post-ops who are trying to keep down their soda crackers and 7 Up. I hate the smell of overpowering perfume.

I used to work with an orthopod that wore copious amounts of pungent cologne. You could get on the elevator after him and the whole elevator just wreaked.

IN my opinion, PERFUME IS NOT ACCEPTABLE IN THE HOSPITAL!

DebRN06 · Mar 14, 2008

This is unbelievably insensitive. I feel sorry for her already-nauseated post-ops who are trying to keep down their soda crackers and 7 Up. I hate the smell of overpowering perfume.
IN my opinion, PERFUME IS NOT ACCEPTABLE IN THE HOSPITAL!

I feel bad for her pts, too. We don't often have post-ops, but many COPD'ers. She says none have EVER complained so she will not stop. I even told her one RN, when I was in labor w/ my son, was wearing too much perfume and I was more worried about offending her than the suffering she caused me every time she walked in the room. (I was young...I'd say something now). A pt did recently complain...manager talked to her about it. She just doesn't care. I am so astonished that she is so unreasonable.

FireStarterRN, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2008

I actually think healthcare facilities should ban perfumes by employees. Too many people are highly sensitive and have true allergies. I work with one woman who has allergies and she really reacts.

We've made our hospital latex free, we should do the same for people with perfume allergies.

Asia53 · Mar 14, 2008

I love perfume, or scent! But.....I absolutely don't wear any at the hospital. I even use unscented deodorant.

Hmmm, doesn't your hospital have a "No scent policy"? Ours does, and they enforce it.

I hope you can resolve this issue. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

Asia :wink2:

leslie :-D · Mar 14, 2008

i very much agree about a perfume ban.

it is a health issue for many pts.

and it's pretty shallow of any nurse to think otherwise.

leslie

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2008

Truthfully, nurses shouldnt wear any fragrances at work period. We have to many patients who do actually have allergies and are there for some type of breathing problem and the last thing they need is someone around with a strong purfume.

We had a dr and a nurse that did the same thing but they got pulled aside by the CEO of the hospital and told they needed to tone it down some.

No reason someone scent needs to hang around 30 min after they leave an area. There is a person now who works one of the ancillary offices that i end up following down the hall in the morning on my way in and im almost sick by the time i hit the end of the hallway. I cant get away from it, ive tried hanging in the bathroom for a few minutes to let her get on down the hall but i swear it hangs in the air for an hour after shes been there. It just stinks. It smells like a old bale of hay to me and it gets in my throat and i cant breath almost.

I feel your pain.

nyapa, RN · Mar 14, 2008

I too love perfume. But if I was told it was too strong, there would be no way I'd wear it. (Mind you, I usually only wear deodorant at work anyhow). Its one of those things...don't wear too much jewellery, don't wear nailpolish etc etc. Think of your patients, and if it is affecting your colleagues then don't wear it for your patient's sake.

I really feel for you, and I think it is very inconsiderate of the Nurse Manager of your ward not to follow through on this issue...

Ms Kylee · Mar 14, 2008

I love perfume and have a lot of it (sell Avon, so I buy it cheap and stock up) BUT I won't wear it at work since I have a lot of COPD, CHF, and patients on O2. They need to breathe more than I need to smell pretty. But the minute I'm in the car on my way home, on goes the Lavender Oil.

GingerSue · Mar 14, 2008

for many it is a health issue - sensitivities and allergies to the scents,

so in a hospital - extra consideration please.

At the hospital that I just visited this evening they have signs posted throughout the hospital stating "no scents, etc" - and I agree with this.

I, too love my perfumes and fragrances - but I have to realize that sometimes other people don't share my taste (I like Avon's Ginger & Grapefuit - but others find it too strong. And Lavender actually makes me nauseous - I don't know why. So - there you go)

About the co-worker with the intolerable fragrance - keep giving those messages that her fragrances are unpleasant and inconsiderate to those who have sensitivities. Good luck to you.

bigjim · Mar 14, 2008

I have noticed that some people have a hard time differentiating between a cosmetic, and a marinade.

If you're not afraid of getting blackballed for it, threaten an ADA complaint.

UM Review RN, ASN, RN · Mar 14, 2008

I find it interesting that people react to perfumes and scents like popcorn.

Even more interesting that the hospital bans perfumes but then uses perfumed room deodorizers and cleaning products that smell heavily of bleach and alcohol.

I have a problem with the floor wax our facility uses. I dread the wax-stripping and the polishing because I know it's going to give me a raging headache and I won't be sent home or reassigned to get away from the stuff.

It's hard to work like that.

If someone told me that they had a problem with my perfume, I would stop wearing it, of course. So far I've only received compliments. I use it because I know it smells a whole lot better on than off, especially after a few "suddenly summer" hot flashes.

tvccrn, ASN, RN · Mar 14, 2008

I am really sensitive to certain smells... flowery perfumes, vanilla (especially candles) and (weird) microwave popcorn. Often, they make me physically ill ...sweaty, nauseated, dizzy and headaches. There is a RN that wears (bathes) in perfume everyday. I very nicely explained to her my sensitivity and asked her if she could please refrain from wearing her perfume at work. I started with stressing I did not want her to be offended nor do I enjoy the fact that i have these sensitivities.
Anyway, she replies that she has ALWAYS worn perfume. I am the only person to EVER complian and that perfume is "WHO SHE IS" and she will NOT stop wearing it and I should stay away from HER.:angryfire:angryfire:angryfire Which trust me, I tried before finally talking to her.
I tried a couple more unsuccessful times to explain (still nicely) to her and even mentioned how we are not even supposed to wear perfume for OUR PT'S SAKE. Again to no avail and her complete hostility. I have since brought it to the attn of my manager, who did speak to this RN numerous times...but she still does not listen. I have even talked to my director about this, she talked to "stinky" and she STILL wears it...has not even toned it down.
I am so annoyed with having to waste my energy on such a ridiculous thing. I am sick of having dizzy spells at work and leaving with a headache. At this point I really cannot stand her. She is so selfish...and I did end up telling her that. I had to tell another co-worker about her perfume once and she was so nice about it, went and tried to wash off what she could.
I can't be in the med room with her...and even after she is out, her stink remains. Even if she simply walks past me, and I cringe every time we have pts in the same room. I am sooo frustrated... but now what??? I have to go to HR for something so, so dumb!!?!:banghead:

This is not "something so, so dumb". This is creating a hostile work environment for you. You have taken the proper steps thus far.....talking with her multiple times, talking with your manager.....to no avail. The next step IS to go to HR and find out your possible course of action. I can bet that if you use the term "hostile work environment" something will get done ASAP.