NP with anosmia

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Hey everyone,

A little backstory: I am a labor and delivery RN/perinatal flight nurse. I have considered going back to school eventually to pursue a career as a women's health nurse practitioner. I've been thinking about doing so sometime in the next few years, but one thing has been holding me back.

About a year ago, I lost my sense of smell. I finally found out that it was due to a large olfactory groove meningioma, which was successfully removed in January this year but the tumor had completely destroyed my olfactory nerves, so I have permanent anosmia.

My question is, do you think I can/should still pursue a career as an NP if I have no sense of smell? I know your sense of smell is an important part of your assessment, although I've never missed being able to smell while working at the bedside ;)

Thanks in advance for any input, opinions, and advice!

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Specializes in Occ. Hlth, Education, ICU, Med-Surg.

Hmmm...something smells fishy about this post....or does it.....:whistling:

Lol..jk

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I use my sense of smell much less as an NP than I did as an RN. You should have no trouble at all! Also, like many people with a lost sense, you will learn to compensate with your other senses. Good luck.

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Specializes in DHSc, PA-C.

I think having anosmia would be a good thing for most pelvic exams.

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Thank you! I really appreciate your input and am happy to hear that.

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Haha true @dizzyjon, however sometimes the only symptom of a pelvic problem can be an unusual odor...

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You will not be able to dx BV from outside the room....but your staff will :p

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Specializes in DHSc, PA-C.

Current recommendations are to treat based on lab confirmation and not physical exam. So a "whiff test" is no good.

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