What would you all do about a co-worker with an odor problem?
This gal LOOKS clean but she smells BAD. The beginning of the shift is fine, the middle of the shift and things get bad. I see her sneak off to the bathroom with BO Juice in hand but she still smells bad.
It isn't always body odor. Sometimes it is but it is something different. I feel weird about explaining exactly what it is, but it is usually a very strong, different odor. Please understand, this is not once every now and again, this is daily. It's a rare day that there is no odor.
To my knowledge we have never had a patient complaint, but I don't know why. She is a sweet nurse, very good at what she does, very skilled at her profession, but she stinks!
I really don't think it is a lack of showering, she comes to work and smells fine. Within a few hours it is bad.
Suggestions on how to tell her? I don't want to hurt her feelings but geez...
Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.
I just wanted to add something here.
It doesn't take much more than a coward to degrade somebody, talk behind their back, or make rude comments within earshot.
But it takes a real HERO to confront the problem head on, privately and compassionately, with dignity to the person's emotions and true concern to offer them help.
You have more guts and compassion than any of your coworkers and I applaud you, Bipley. I hope one day I am just as good of a nurse and a coworker.
because THAT doesn't get rid of the smell, or help the nurse find a solution. I think Bipley has a fantastic plan.
My point was that everyone seems to be assuming that the nurse isn't aware of her problem, and isn't trying to fix it; maybe she is. My point was, since bipley has mentioned that they are not really friends, maybe it would be nicer to befriend her first; my point was that bipley has made a big point of her extra-super sense of smell-so maybe she alone is the most aware of it; she even states that patients haven't complained about her, and that seems unusual.
AND maybe , the nurse is aware of her problem, is trying to fix it, and is doing everything that can be done right now. I was giving her the benefit of doubt; she is obviously aware of her problem from what bipley has posted. so, please don't get in a twist, I wasn't slamming bipley, I was just suggesting that maybe the nurse is doing everything possible to solve her problem, and could maybe do without further humiliation. Think how nice it would be for her in the middle of the day, when she knows that she is getting funky, and is feeling low, how nice it would be for someone to say "hey, you did a great job with that patient!" instead of "you don't really know me, but I want to talk to you about your body odor" I simply meant that maybe Bipley could attempt some measures of freindship before broaching the odor problem. geez.
I have been following this whole thread, and I happen to agree with you. I know everyone feels differently, but as has been said over and over again, she already knows she smells. I'm sure telling her that she smells bad is going to let her know that everyone thinks she smells, which is a horrible thought, especially if she has sought treatment. And if she didn't get treatment b/c of embarassment, I don't think anyone talking to her would change her mind. Confronting her right off might even scare her away from her job, b/c of embarassment, you never know. Why not, as Typical Fish suggested, befriend her. Give it time, go out to dinner, movies, talk a lot at work etc., then when you feel you are A LOT closer, then bring it up.
Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.
My point was that everyone seems to be assuming that the nurse isn't aware of her problem, and isn't trying to fix it; maybe she is.
Have you read the entire thread? I think the point has been made that this nurse is aware of the problem and no one is assuming that she isn't. It has also been discussed that she is trying to hide the odor and her methods seem to be ineffective.
My point was, since bipley has mentioned that they are not really friends, maybe it would be nicer to befriend her first; my point was that bipley has made a big point of her extra-super sense of smell-so maybe she alone is the most aware of it; she even states that patients haven't complained about her, and that seems unusual.
She is not alone. In fact, the other co-workers have been quite tactless in there manner of addressing the same issue. A patient may not immediately connect the odor with the nurse herself, but merely the smell of someone she may have been working with or even the hospital itself. And they certainly wouldn't assume it to be bacterial vaginosis...which is what most likely is causing the problem.
AND maybe , the nurse is aware of her problem, is trying to fix it, and is doing everything that can be done right now. I was giving her the benefit of doubt; she is obviously aware of her problem from what bipley has posted. so, please don't get in a twist, I wasn't slamming bipley, I was just suggesting that maybe the nurse is doing everything possible to solve her problem, and could maybe do without further humiliation. Think how nice it would be for her in the middle of the day, when she knows that she is getting funky, and is feeling low, how nice it would be for someone to say "hey, you did a great job with that patient!" instead of "you don't really know me, but I want to talk to you about your body odor" I simply meant that maybe Bipley could attempt some measures of freindship before broaching the odor problem. geez.
If you reviewed Bipley's approach, she isn't planning on bringing it up at the hospital or in the manner in which you have suggested.
This nurse is obviously struggling with a serious medical issue that is causing her to isolate herself from co-workers and who knows who else.
She may be trying to self medicate and too busy or too embarassed to schedule a much needed GYN appointment.
This could lead to more serious problems down the road.
Having BV can increase a woman's susceptibility to HIV infection if she is exposed to the HIV virus.
Having BV increases the chances that an HIV-infected woman can pass HIV to her sex partner.
Having BV has been associated with an increase in the development of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) following surgical procedures such as a hysterectomy or an abortion.
Having BV while pregnant may put a woman at increased risk for some complications of pregnancy.
BV can increase a woman's susceptibility to other STDs, such as Chlamydia and gonorrhea.
A 'true' friend which be honest and upfront in a compassionate and helpful manner. She could become very close with this nurse, but that doesn't mean that the nurse will ever be confident or secure bringing up such a personal issue. And in the meantime, her condition may worsen and she will still be suffering the psychosocial stigmatisms and insecurities mentioned previously.
Well, my feelings on this is that if this has been going on for several months, and Bipley says it has, then it very well can become a serious health issue for this nurse.
Obviously, she hasn't seen a doctor, or if she had it wouldn't have gotten to this point where the smell is so bad.
This girl needs to be encouraged to see a doctor. Her health is at stake here.
SOMEone has to take this upon themselves and do it in the kindest way possible, but it needs to be done. Other complications can result from BV, if that IS what it is, or WHATEVER it is.....it needs to be resolved, first of all for her health, and secondly, IMHO, for social/work issues.
Apparently, no one in her family......mom, or a sister, has addressed the issue with her. Maybe she doesn't have a mom or sister.
I think Bipley is doing what needs to be done, and will do it with kindness.
Personally, I don't know how the young lady can stand it. I've lady partsl yeast infections before and the itching drives me up the wall until I get something done about it.
Could there be financial reasons why she hasn't seen a doctor?
If she is a nurse, I don't understand how she can let it go on this long. She knows there is a problem but obvioulsly hasn't done anything to take care of it. Nurses know what can result from conditions that go on too long. Complications, risk of other diseases, etc.
If I were her co-worker, and if it were financial reasons, I would gladly loan her the money, or just give it to her, to get herself taken care of.
Maybe there's a health clinic she could go to, if it's financial?
...and that you have an extra super sense of smell, so maybe while she does smell, maybe it is much worse to you and your super-sense than others. I can't imagine that is she really stank that horribly that at least one patient wouldn't of said something by now-we all know that some patients seem to pick on everything. ...
I DON'T have a great sense of smell. I'm a smoker! Marlboros too!
I walked right into a situation with the cookies that made it seem like I had a great nose. I knew they were coming to our unit, nobody else did. I FAKED smelling them. Perhaps I wasn't clear, I probably wasn't. I simply took advantage of a situation.
It isn't just my nose, it is everyone's nose. This nurse STINKS. People DO make rude and obnoxious comments to her, she walks by and rude nurses loudly comment, 'WHAT REEKS IN HERE!" Or other similar comments such as I wrote of previously.
This isn't an overly sensitive nose on my part. This woman smells like dead rotting flesh, fish flesh to be more specific. BTW, the chemical compound for some types of BV is the same exact chemical compound in a dead rotting fish. It isn't a similar odor, it is the odor.
My point was that everyone seems to be assuming that the nurse isn't aware of her problem, and isn't trying to fix it; maybe she is. My point was, since bipley has mentioned that they are not really friends, maybe it would be nicer to befriend her first; my point was that bipley has made a big point of her extra-super sense of smell-so maybe she alone is the most aware of it; she even states that patients haven't complained about her, and that seems unusual.
AND maybe , the nurse is aware of her problem, is trying to fix it, and is doing everything that can be done right now. I was giving her the benefit of doubt; she is obviously aware of her problem from what bipley has posted. so, please don't get in a twist, I wasn't slamming bipley, I was just suggesting that maybe the nurse is doing everything possible to solve her problem, and could maybe do without further humiliation. Think how nice it would be for her in the middle of the day, when she knows that she is getting funky, and is feeling low, how nice it would be for someone to say "hey, you did a great job with that patient!" instead of "you don't really know me, but I want to talk to you about your body odor" I simply meant that maybe Bipley could attempt some measures of freindship before broaching the odor problem. geez.
If I had no suggestions for her I might agree with you. What is the value in telling her what she clearly knows? However, I might have some info for her that would help this problem, ASSUMING I am on the right track. She smells EXACTLY like an old patient of mine. You know how there are scents and odors that you smell once and you know exactly what that is? That is the case here.
Once again, I don't have a great sense of smell. I'm a long time smoker. Even I can smell her. She is treated poorly by other staff, she is embarrassed and humiliated by other staff. If I didn't have any positive suggestions for her I would totally agree. But considering not all BV is similar and there are vastly different treatments depending on the type of bacteria, AND knowing that not a lot of research has been done on non-traditional forms of BV, I may just be able to help. I fell into non-traditional treatment info for non-traditional BV some time ago. Wouldn't it be essentially cruel to not tell her the research I read some time ago? Shall I let her suffer instead?
Please know, I am NOT trying to be pissy here. I am sincere, is it better to let her suffer through this alone or share what I know? My intent is not to go and tell her the obvious, my intent is to offer info I have.
back on page 16 of this thread, there were references made to a condition called trimethylaminuria. one of the symptoms listed is a "rotten fish odor." along with the article listed there, i found another one that was also helpful (link posted below--watch out--it's a long one). here are some excerpts:
since few health professionals are aware of this disease, also called trimethylaminuria, people experiencing its characteristic body odor may spend years seeking relief.
people with the disorder can release trimethylamine through breath, sweat, and urine. a few have a strong odor all the time, but most others experience a less severe smell that fluctuates over time.
(the variability in her symptoms is what tends to negate the possibility of something like an infection or cancer or a forgotten tampon or anything else where you would expect the odor to be more or less constant. also, this condition is marked, not by just a bad smell in general, but by the very distinctive odor of rotting fish, which is exactly what was described.)
because the disease is practically unknown by any name, it may take years for a person with trimethylaminuria to find a doctor who can recognize the problem. in a survey given to 22 people who had been identified as having the syndrome, mcconnell found that it typically took them 5 to 10 years to seek medical care after their symptoms appeared. the correct diagnosis then required, on average, another 10 years.
(patients are too embarrassed to seek help. when they finally do, docs don't know what they're looking at. end result is that these people suffer for years before getting help, if, indeed, they ever do.)
the ignorance and confusion surrounding trimethylaminuria are perhaps the most devastating parts of the disease, says mcconnell. "it's absolutely essential to get the word out. we have a potentially treatable disorder that is grossly underdiagnosed," he insists.
sandy gordon, a new yorker, quit working because of her odor. before discovering that she had trimethylaminuria, she spent almost $30,000 on tests and five exploratory surgeries that her health insurance wouldn't pay for.
"at this point, i don't want a cure. i just want information," says gordon, who has started an informal support group for people with trimethylaminuria. "i just want people with this disorder to know they are not crazy."
(if the nurse in question has this condition, i would think she would gladly endure a little more embarrassment for this kind of help and information. most people who have hard-to-diagnose conditions experience great relief when they can finally put a name on what has been tormenting them, even if there are no easy answers or ready-made cures.)
obviously, we can't say for certain that this specific condition applies. but, it certainly sounds like a good place to start.
i do understand the concerns about perhaps breaking the ice before venturing into such dicey territory, but this feels pretty nearly like an emergency situation. if you know someone who is suffering acutely and you also know they are not likely to find hope and help anywhere else, i'm thinking that combination trumps conventional etiquette. it would be sort of like saying, "i hope you will forgive my intrusion, but i did notice that you're barely treading water, and i wonder if you might be able to make use of this rope."
Actually, some of this information is outdated. New data has come to light since this info was commonly accepted.
When a culture is done they look for bad bacteria. When good bacteria show up it isn't considered a bad thing. However when too much good bacteria is present (sorry, I can't spell it. It is a form of what you take when you are on abxs so you don't get diarrhea and starts with an "A" and you can buy milk with this culture intentionally present... does that tell you what I refer to? LOL) it causes problems. A C&S tests for types of bacteria, not the overall quality or quantity of the bacteria.
True BV is an imbalance of the normal flora. It is assumed it is due to bad bacteria but that is old info. Now we know it is simply, an imbalance of normal flora. Good bacteria can take over and when that happens in some forms of BV the quality of the good stuff is poor. The bacteria are bent and broken. This too, is another form of BV.
I wish I still had all the info I collected some time ago but I don't. I may be able to find it again if I look. I'll try.
BTW, thank you SO much for really understanding my intent and desire. I have NO desire to hurt this gal more than she already is hurting. I just might have something that will help. I sincerely believe it would be wrong to not give her tools that might help end this problem. I would never ever ever ever tell her she stinks just for the heck of it AND knowing she already knows that. I wouldn't do such a thing.
I really do feel sorry for her. She is not treated well by other staff, she does not appear to be a happy camper, she doesn't seem to have a S/O or if she does, she doesn't discuss the issue. I hate to see her not join in on the fun and giggling within the department. I hate seeing her avoid coming too close to us. The whole thing is very sad. I just want to help her.
If I were her co-worker, and if it were financial reasons, I would gladly loan her the money, or just give it to her, to get herself taken care of.
Maybe there's a health clinic she could go to, if it's financial?
I tend to think it is not financial. Our CNA does Jamba Juice runs for us, those are $5.00 each and she typically buys one daily. We have great insurance and an office call is minimal. If it was a financial issue I'd be MORE than willing to give her whatever she needs for treatment. I'd be happy to pay for the doc, the Rx's, whatever it takes. But I doubt that is the issue. I don't know what the issue is. I just want to help her out if I can.
nurse4theplanet, RN
1,377 Posts
I just wanted to add something here.
It doesn't take much more than a coward to degrade somebody, talk behind their back, or make rude comments within earshot.
But it takes a real HERO to confront the problem head on, privately and compassionately, with dignity to the person's emotions and true concern to offer them help.
You have more guts and compassion than any of your coworkers and I applaud you, Bipley. I hope one day I am just as good of a nurse and a coworker.