Smells

work&play · Aug 22, 2009

I had the same problem as a CNA student. Don't worry "that too should pass."I would put some of my favorite perfume on the masks, and I think it helped me.

I know, I couldn't eat anything after being in the hospital. The positive? I was so overweight that I lost my extra pounds, and looked good after the first semester in the program. Hang in there! You'll get used to almost everything.

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Aug 23, 2009

I have heard dabs of Vicks Vaporub under the nostrils works great in a pinch to mask the foulest of odors, I'm thinking of stocking up now ....

zeppzepp2009 · Aug 23, 2009

A very wise medic offered me an altoid when we responded to a GI "incident" it worked like a charm to get me through the stench!

Brikkz · Aug 23, 2009

You're sort of the opposite of me. I am desensitized to smells. I have smelled the nastiest things and I don't really care. I don't like them but I can handle them. I can also deal with a lot of stuff visually, blood, urine, poop etc. I just get kinda icky around certain sounds. The one sound I have a hard time hearing is the vomit sound people make right when they are about to puke. It always makes me a little nauseous. At least you can buy viick's or perfume. I can't put on headphones lol...unprofessional. I'll get used to it of course. It just takes time I'm sure.

work&play · Aug 23, 2009

6 weeks into the CNA program, I would still puke because of the smell when I first entered the rooms. People thought I was pregnant.

I had patients whom were overweight, and the smell under the layers was unbelievable.

Anyway, I like the viick's, and altoids idea. Thanks

Coriander, BSN, RN · Aug 23, 2009

It actually took me several years to decide to go into nursing because I was afraid of smells. I worked in a LTC facility for Alzheimer's patients and within two weeks I was over the smell thing.

I'm sure I'll encounter foreign smells that will take me some time. Enter the Altoids.

Brikkz · Aug 23, 2009

6 weeks into the CNA program, I would still puke because of the smell when I first entered the rooms. People thought I was pregnant.
I had patients whom were overweight, and the smell under the layers was unbelievable.
Anyway, I like the viick's, and altoids idea. Thanks

That's scary. I'm sure now that I probably will need Vick's. I never considered the smell under the layers...that is something I've never encountered.

It actually took me several years to decide to go into nursing because I was afraid of smells. I worked in a LTC facility for Alzheimer's patients and within two weeks I was over the smell thing.
I'm sure I'll encounter foreign smells that will take me some time. Enter the Altoids.

:up:

greenfiremajick · Aug 23, 2009

Alright, here's the deal.
I'm pretty desensitized when it comes to visual nasties. I'm okay with seeing just about the most disgusting things in the world, I'm completely unphased. I have no problem seeing it, touching it, cleaning it, or hearing it, but...
I have a hard time with smells, my nose is very sensitive. I can't deal very good with bad smells. My stomach gets queesy, I feel like I'm going to puke. When my sisters were babies I couldn't even change their poo diapers because the smell would make me want to hurl.
I realize that in nursing, I'm going to have to deal with some pretty rancid smells, so my question is will I get used to it? Will my sensitive nose become desensitized? I don't remember becoming desensitized to visual stimulation because that happened very rapidly at a very young age.

What works for me, probably wouldn't be acceptable in a healthcare setting (putting peppermint or lavender oil just inside my nose).

Divest · Aug 23, 2009

Why wouldn't that be acceptable in a healthcare setting?

I would think that anything to get the job done would be acceptable, assuming it doesn't harm the patient.

greenfiremajick · Aug 23, 2009

Why wouldn't that be acceptable in a healthcare setting?
I would think that anything to get the job done would be acceptable, assuming it doesn't harm the patient.

When I worked in the local hospital, I made the mistake of wearing patchouli oil. I was called into the "office" and asked to not wear anything that might put a patient into respiratory distress. I was told that any strong smell has the potential to put a patient into respiratory distress--even hairspray, strong deodorant, etc!! Now, this is when I worked in the cardiopulmonary department, so it may be different in other areas....................

MsAsia322, MSN, APN, NP · Aug 23, 2009

an instructor from my CNA course told me that if that smell is that foul, u can put on a mask and put an alcohol pad on the side to help with the smell lol .. im pretty much desensitized to poop smells now .. but the one thing ive heard is the nastiest smell ever is the smell of an open decubiti (ulcer) .. ive been told it is the worse! ugh, i cant even imagine the sight of it let alone how it smells.

the one thing that i havent gotten used to yet is the suction container. everytime i look at it, i just want to throw up!! :imbar