Oh the wonderful smells

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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So guys and gals, during my clinical experience there were many new and exciting smells i was exposed to (first time in my life I changed a diaper believe it or not). I did not gag, and it did not interfere with my work, but it definitely made me want to get out of the room a bit quicker, and that is not the approach i want to have. What do you all do to deal with those wonderful smells? I have heard of putting things under the nose, what do you use? essential oils? vapor rub? any unique, creative, and affordable ideas are welcome! I think it would be great to get everyones input here just to see what we all do different and the methods we share. Thanks in advance!

Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg.

I just grin and bear it... As good as tools such as mints and alcohol wipes may be when you're first starting out, there comes a day when you have to greet the smells face-to-face. :cool:

Emptying a colostomy bag definitely beats C-Diff for me. But the only time I've ever almost vomitted in a resident's room was when he pooped in his brief and had a fissured hemorrhoid at the same time. That's the first and, so far, the last time I've felt my stomach wretch on the job.

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Lower GI bleeds = :eek:

Only dealt with it once, just thinking about the smell makes me shudder to this day.

C. diff is "tame" when compared with it.

The man who had the bleed had also refused to be bathed for weeks.

All I wanted to do was ram a stainless steel scalpel up my nose and irreparably damage my olfactory bulbs so I would no longer have to smell it.

*shudders*

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The smells don't bother me. I think the reason why is because the nursing home I work at has an awesome housekeeping staff, when you walk in you don't smell nursing home at all. Incontinent care smells but it doesn't last long so I don't really do anything.

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serously I would have to say that breathing through your mouth is not bad I have been a CNA for 5 years you can't taste the poop that is just silly for someone to think that plus if you carry some chapstick and rubb it under your nose it does help a little but really after so many years of doing nothing really bothers you anymore

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the worst thing as far as smell go is when A patient is on her menses blood of any form smells AWEFUL:barf02::barf02:

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serously I would have to say that breathing through your mouth is not bad I have been a CNA for 5 years you can't taste the poop that is just silly for someone to think that plus if you carry some chapstick and rubb it under your nose it does help a little but really after so many years of doing nothing really bothers you anymore

I don't breathe through my mouth, but it's not because of that. I do it because I don't want to dodge flying particulate matter.

I once had poop splatter onto my lips. If my mouth hadn't been sealed, it would have hit my tongue or throat.

:barf01:

I'm one of the lucky ones. There are people whose mouths it DOES land in.

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Specializes in LTC.

For the smells that stick with me like bad GI bleeds or necrotic wounds I'll rub a little bit of lavender oil under my nose. Otherwise I've kind of become immune to a lot of bad smells.

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Specializes in 6 yrs LTC, 1 yr MedSurg, Wound Care.

I don't know whether or not particles get in your mouth when chewing gum, but it just feels gross.

What really sucks is having a cold and sniffles! (This has been a bad week for me! Lol!)

Dondie

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I have been a CNA for 5 years almost 6 and I am used to every smell EXCEPT puke... I will never be able to handle puke!

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Whoa. This is what i have to look forward too. So are you telling me its worst off than my toddler after he poos. OMG. Ill start practicing my breathing technique now. lol

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg.
The smells don't bother me. I think the reason why is because the nursing home I work at has an awesome housekeeping staff, when you walk in you don't smell nursing home at all. Incontinent care smells but it doesn't last long so I don't really do anything.

Our housekeeping staff is okay... not good, but not bad. Not enough to remove the stench of urine, for sure.

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Specializes in Rehabilitation.

Our hospital carries the small bottles of mouth wash, so, when I got into a room with a patient that has cdiff.. I'll put a tiny drop of mouth wash on the inside of the mask.. Can't smell a thing other than minty freshness.

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