Okay so being a cna.. we come across some really unpleasent smells (i'm still in school, but in the clinic)
Second or third day at the clinic we had a resident who we cleaning up her diaper, and who also had 3-4 bed sores. FIRST TIME I SAW IN PERSON. I thought i was fine with it, but being so close to her- next to the bed. The smell of the BM and rotting skin or the bed sores, couldn't take it, and almost threw up and fainted. Thankfully I didn't, but man was I close. Not a good feeling lol.
My point for this blog is... What are was to help with the smell? Breath through your mouth? I don't know, any tips??
I actually went to school for some other medical related profession, but may get this cna job at hospital. Do you ever gag? What if you just cant stop gagging or throw up? I mean I havent been in the situation so idk yet. I wish you could just wear a mask.
You just...don't. You have to be a professional and remember how it feels for the patient. They probably feel uncomfortable and embarrassed enough about the smells without seeing the person helping them gagging and wearing a mask.
So is wearing a mask not usually allowed? I was planning to wear a mask if I had to deal with a stronger smell. I too am not a CNA yet, but will be starting school soon.
thankfully, your body will also physiologically hasten the process of getting used to those smells...your sensory nerves become less sensitive to those odors over time :) i wouldn't ever say that a soiled pair of briefs smell like a bouquet of flowers, but it gets bearable :)
Its alot at first, but once your around the smells day in and day out, you get used to it. Sometimes you get surprised by some strong smells, but you just pull you head back, get a deep breath, and then tell yourself to just deal with it and it'll be over soon, and then go back and get it over with. The first breath is always the worst, once you take that breath and gag, you should be fine after that. Sometimes I will use moisturizer thats next to the bed and put some in a wipe and it covers up the smell if I can't handle it. Also, patients with colostomy bags, at least at my facility, have air fresheners they spray because they can't even deal with it. You'll learn all the tricks as you work and go through orientation.
[color=dimgray]k, fuzzywuzzy had awesome advice in which are all very helpful. in addition, one more suggestion i've seen nurses do, is grab an herbal tea bag from the nurses station..( you know where all the utensils, splenda and graham crackers are?) grab a face mask and put that teabag between the mask and ur face this way it creates a barrier and traps the smell and all you will be inhaling is the smell of the tea bag. but personally, i just stick to the vicks vapor rub or just toughen up, no deep inhaling, or open ur mouth while chewing gum & get it done...fast!
kool-aide, RN
594 Posts
Good attitude. I'm sure you'll be fine. rotting bedsores get to me sometimes, too.
haha