Her perfume stinks!!

[DebRN06]

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:

[Penny8611]

I'm very sensitive to smells, too. I'm also very sensitive to noise. This makes life harder for sure, so I understand your dilemma.

Don't know if this applies to your situation or not, but this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Highly-Sensitive-Person-Elaine-Ph-D/dp/0553062182/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205631027&sr=8-2

...was very helpful to me. Too much noise and scent can really, really get to me. I identified quite strongly with a lot of what is outlined in this book.

Just FYI! :-)

[vashtee, RN]

that experience did make me wonder how folks with such sensitivities and allergies can work in healthcare. Not to make light or anything, but the whole environment is full of strong smells, and full of people (not just coworkers) that will have varying degrees of scents that can't be controlled. It must be miserable.

I can take strong smells; they don't cause me to sneeze. Perfume does.

[AuntieNursey]

YOU stated that upper management has spoken to her, does your workplace have a policy about wearing scents? Don't laugh, I worked with children with D.D. as well as physical and emotional disabilities for years and the workplace had a written policy forbidding perfumes becasue it was so detrimental to some of the kids, especially those with autism and other olfactory-sensitive conditions. And as a fellow sensitive sufferer, I empathize with the caullousness and lack of empathy this woman is showing. And to say that the "scent is who she is", you can only feel sorry for someone who is so wrapped up in herself and what she wants that she can't see the negative effect she has on those around her, including (and this is the biggy) HER PATIENTS. You may want to talk to the HR department about the negative effects of perfume on the patients and document if a patient complains. ANd remember those with the same issues are behind you.

[Cynthjoy]

Hey friend,

I am right there with you. I often have a delayed raction to perfumes and cigarette smoker's lingering scent. I can literally end up in bed the following day. I have to take loratadine every night just to be able to work in the hospital. I worked for a wonderful hospital in Salem, Oregon that had a strict "No Perfume" policy and had it posted at the front door next to the "No latex ballon" policy. In interviews, I even put perfume allergy down as a potential condition that could prevent me from working. I have even handed people wash clothes to remove their perfume. Your HR should have a policy of no perfume and if not this should qualify as a hostile work environment claim. I would hate to have you leave because of a selfish-thickheaded nurse whom everyone probably feels that same way about--especially her patients.

Hmmm...But on the creative side. Do some of our masks for TB have the ability to block fragrance? I wonder. I know its often the larger molecules that provide me the biggest problems with my respiratory issues. What if everyone on your floor started wearing masks around her? Even if its not going to block the fragrance, perhaps "social sanctions" are in order to change her behavior. How would you feel if every time you went near another nurse they put a mask on just to talk to you? You could politely explain that you are merely allowing her to be who she is by donning masks. However, you and the other nurses need to be able to breathe, too. After all, that is who you are.

Cynth

[nursekrystin]

maybe you could talk to your manager and try to see if you could work on your co-workers off days and she work on your off days to try to minimize the number of days you work together

[squeakykitty]

I'm really sensitive to strong scents as well. Makes me want to gag. Perhaps you could "accidentally" douse her with water?

On a more serious note ... She also shouldn't be wearing strong perfume around her patients. What if someone has allergies or asthma?

You could always try that approach ...

If you get nauseated enough, she could get projectile doused with something else. Maybe that would get the message across?:chuckle

[meintheUSA]

When I was a post-op pt after open heart surgery, I had a wonderful aid with super normal smells spueing from her body. I immediately asked that her supervisor be sent in. I was in the restroom barfing when I met with the supervisor and asked that this aid not be allowed in my room. I explained it was only her smell I was sickened by, the job performance was excellent. The aid came into my room in tears for making me sick. She explained that she had on only hand cream (Which she immediately washed off when confronted about the scent). We became very close friends during the rest of the hospital stay. I learned that day that even a smelly good hand cream can offend some people.

[up2late]

Yes. In fact, this is what HR is for: human relations. HR is there for conflict resolution and rule enforcement.

Fact: lady isn't supposed to wear perfume; at my location it is a dress code violation, for which a person can be penalized and eventually dismissed.

Fact: you have discussed the issue directly with her in a healthy, non-confontational manner.

Fact: her supervisor has discussed the issue with her.

These are items which should be brought up with HR. If it is a written rule (no wearing of perfume), then it is enforceable, and so HR can say to a supervisor, you need to enforce this. Or, HR can determine with you or with supervisor other manners do deal with the issue, but fact is, lady's breaking the rules and it's causing physical illness in her co-worker, let alone other possible patients. It's beyond personal preference at this point. She is effectively being a bully and saying 'so, what?' to you and her own boss - and her boss isn't doing a thing about it. That makes it a managerial issue as well. HR should certainly hear about it; this is exactly what they are there for.

Go to HR. Then COME BACK AND TELL US WHAT HAPPENED! :heartbeat

[military girl]

I too love scents, but the workplace is not necessarily the place for them. As I am now in management, it seems like now I see more inappropriate dress in the workplace than when I was a nurse on the floor.

As for perfume, as a nurse, your co-worker should know that patients don't need to be accosted to her perfume. For some patients, this could cause a negative outcome.

Go to Occupational health and get a statement. Getting something in black and white to show her just may be the trick.

[GRANNAS4]

"i used to work in a law office, and one of the most important thing i learned from all the lawyers i worked with is " any complaint should be put in writing" ." i agree with this poster. take it to hr, your manager and don have no effect on her. take it also to your risk manager, a notice that any md or hospital bill incurred due to your allergies being ignited by this rules ignoring co-worker will be going to your facility in workmans comp may jar a few brain cells. the nurses shortage does not equal do as you like, "they will never fire me." some behavior deserves the firing. she may be super nurse or nasty nurse, but inconsiderate of both patients and co-workers is who she really is. stay in there and fight, not just for yourself but for your patients who have to bear her as well.