Perfume at work?

Fellow nurses, what are your thoughts on wearing perfume to work

Don't.

I've always been told not to wear perfume both in clinicals and my previous career site. Some people have allergies to the chemicals in perfumes. Frankly, some smells are an assault on others, regardless if the wearer thinks they're classy or polished. Very subjective.

I equate being forced to smell perfume I didn't opt-in for the same as being exposed to 2nd hand cigarette smoke. Both kick my allergies into high gear and give me a horrid headache. Of the few I can stand/like, I used to wear Poison (Dior) all the time until a professor smelled it on my jacket and said it smelled like I'd bathed in Lilac and if I came back to class wearing it or with it on ANY article of clothes, she'd fail me. Obviously co-workers can't so directly influence your decision process, but their thoughts on the matter, as well as facility policies, should be considered and respected.

I usually wear cologne when I am not at work, but I would never wear a fragrance at work. Also, I do not wear any jewelry or even my wedding ring.

"a woman who does not wear perfume has no future." - coco chanel

"but a nurse who wears perfume gets in trouble." - me

I'm a guy and wear cologne almost everywhere, but not to work/clinicals. I was taught it could worsen a person's work of breathing, or just be generally unpleasant.

I honestly think its a terrible idea. When I had my last baby I had a nurse who wore perfume and ugh it made me nauseated. Trying to enjoy your new baby while recovering and fighting nausea from someone's perfume is just not cool.

And yes I realize the meds could have been a factor but every time she came close to me the smell hit me and my stomach just churned.

Perfume is not recommended however people will wear Bath and Body works to cover up the smell of smoke. Officially, no one is supposed to be wearing any strong smelling scents. I know one time I about choked due to the strong smell when a doctor wore cologne into the ICU.

Mind you some of those alcohol based hand sanitisers can be just as nasty especially in small enclosed areas. Did that a few times district nursing after I'd seen a patient and just about made myself pass out.

if you put all the fragrances we wear all at once...you would have to narrow them all down....deodorant, shampoo, conditioner..soap, any kind of cream on the face or body ..toothpaste and mouthwash..Ok..I am getting nick picky here....but they create scents too.....so...if you put all of them together you wind up with a barrage of scents that may smell like a French House of Ill Repute....having some unscented soaps/deodorants/ hair products can eliminate the overwhelming smells patients may take as offensive..especially with breathing and respiratory conditions....keep it very light and sensible....

if you put all the fragrances we wear all at once...you would have to narrow them all down....deodorant, shampoo, conditioner..soap, any kind of cream on the face or body ..toothpaste and mouthwash..Ok..I am getting nick picky here....but they create scents too.....so...if you put all of them together you wind up with a barrage of scents that may smell like a French House of Ill Repute....having some unscented soaps/deodorants/ hair products can eliminate the overwhelming smells patients may take as offensive..especially with breathing and respiratory conditions....keep it very light and sensible....

The thing is, a patient won't be able to smell your deodorant or shampoo unless their nose is all up in there (which, admittedly, can happen). Perfume, however, will be detectable even when you're at the other end of the patient's room. After all, that is the point of perfume; to be noticeable to others. Cologne isn't comparable to typical hygiene products, in my opinion.

All right, fair enough, ladies. The last thing I would ever want is to cause a patient to go into anaphylaxis. I do feel that a little bit of fragrance makes me more polished, more finished, and gives me some confidence. As a mental health nurse, I participate in forensic team meetings with clinicians and psychological examiners, so I always want to appear professional. Also, my facility is run by the state, so I like to feel professional and polished when the Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health makes his rounds. I am never heavy-handed with fragrance and I stick to high-end, classy scents (no vampy Victoria's Secret scents.) But perhaps it's time for me to put down the (perfume) bottle. Thank you for your comments.

You can still be professional and polished without perfume. We had a girl who wore really strong perfume. She was asked repeatedly not to wear it because 1) it was against policy and 2)a lot of people (me included) have a reaction to it. She eventually was written up. Check you company's policy and if nothing else, be considerate of those around you who may have a reaction to the perfume.