How do you tell someone they smell bad?

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

Not a patient, but a student? The other day I was getting report from the previous RN, and she had an LPN student with her that she was precepting, and the student smelled awful. It nearly knocked my socks off. It wasn't BO, like from working up a sweat from working hard, but more of a yeasty skin fold smell. On the one hand, since she is an LPN student, she'll probably only be around for a few weeks, so I could just ignore it. But on the other hand, she probably smells like this wherever she goes, and I'm certain it leaves an impression. Would it be kinder to ignore it since she is temporary, or mention it in some kind sort of way, so that she knows and can address it? Maybe I should mention it to her preceptor, but it's hard to imagine that her preceptor hasn't noticed.

[Scrubby]

That's a tough issue because it's so personal and could really hurt someone to point out that they smell. However, it's also unfair on patients and coworkers to put up with someone with bad body odour. They may have a health condition where they cannot control their BO.

Hmmmm my advice would be to chat with the preceptor about it and try to come up with some sort of plan to deal with the problem in a supportive way?

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

Exactly. I really don't want to be hurtful, but at the same time it's really not fair to subject others to it. Perhaps I'll pull the preceptor aside and have a little talk with her. Maybe she's already dealing with it. I do not envy her that task at all. I'm just wondering if I can offer her any support or suggestions as to how one would be supportive in such a situation?

[LiverpoolJane]

Very difficult and something I've not had to do. I would try and minimise embarrassment if possible and try to enquire firstly if they had some sort of skin complaint?? You could say that you thought you could smell some lotion / ointment on them - just in case they have a medical complaint. When you establish they haven't ask them about what they have been taught about wearing perfumes etc when working with pts and then move on to maintaining a professional appearance. This may be enough for them to get the hint. Or you may feel more comfortable going for the direct approach and as kindly as you can tell them that you have noticed a "slight" odour???? I'm working on the assumption that like me, they would be horrified to think people were talking about their lack of hygiene. On the other hand they may be totally indifferent, I worked with a male Dr once who was very lax with his hygiene and a senior Dr spoke to him about it quite directly but it made no difference.

You could also highlight this to the school and let them address it, years ago when I was a student this sort of thing was something that the school of nursing would include as part of our basic training before we started working in the clinical area.

All the best

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

I worked with a man years ago in my previous career who smelled so badly that nobody could stand to be in the same room with him. The manager finally talked with him, and he opened up to me about it for some reason (guess I seem sympathetic). Anyway, he said even if he showered right before coming to work, he always ended up smelling. I told him he might have a medical condition and should go to the doctor. I'm not sure if he ever did.

I wonder if that would be a good approach? Mentioning it as a medical concern?

[Scrubby]

There is a medical condition referred to as fish odour syndrome, Trimethylaminuria. I worked with a girl who suffered from this and management could not do anything about it. Some of my coworkers were mean and would call her fishy and it was so sad.

I would not want to be in the position to tell someone they smell bad. I would not know how to go about it. I don't think there is anything you could say and not embarass someone.

[letarn2b]

I would tell her if i smelled her again.I know sometimes deodrant fails and what not but if the smell is not coming from her armpit then it needs to be addressed,but do it litely because some people will get offended

[Mitzi13]

I am about to start NS and I am working at Starbucks right now. There was a girl who smelled so awful. She got written up for it! I think it is best to let her know politely because people talking about it behind her back could be more hurtful.

[cjcsoon2bnp, MSN, RN, NP]

I think that directly confronting the student about the issue will be embarrassing to them and should be a last resort. Perhaps you could speak with the preceptor in private about the situation and set it up so that next time you are speaking with the preceptor (with the student present) you can mention that you need to speak with a "coworker" with a hygiene issue about how important good hygiene is to being a good nurse and that patients can be sensitive to strong odors from perfume, lotions and body odor so its really important to clean but not over done. That is a subtle way to plan the seed in the students head that they might want to examine their own hygiene regiment, its not guaranteed to work because they might not take the hint but its worth a try.

!Chris

[vashtee, RN]

Students usually have instructors. Tell the instructor to deal with it.

[ghillbert, MSN, NP]

I wish I knew - I have the same issue with a coworker - it's a combined BO and bad breath. Even in the OR with a mask on it can still knock you over. I wish I knew how to tell him.

[Mandi67]

thats a hard one, epecially because she really does'nt know any one there. but i agree with

Re: How do you tell someone they smell bad?

Students usually have instructors. Tell the instructor to deal with it.