Wearing Cologne to work Yes Or No

[KarmaWiseRaven]

Hi i need an opinion, Tell me what you all think. I like to smell good when I'm at work so i wear cologne. Not a lot just a splash i always have. The good stuff Armani, Polo, CK, well you get the picture. Lately my Coworkers mostly female are looking at me different. Saying things like they know when i'm in the building and its going to be a good day or something to that fact. One Coworker asked me to pick up some Curve So as a joke i did i really dont like the sent of it. I never had this problem before. Now i know in nursing school they say not to but i do because it's just who i'am. Should i stop wearing it or just keep on doing what i'm doing and hope this thing about me wearing cologne dies down. You all tell me. TY

[dani_girl]

I think it really depends on the environment that you work in.. we had an RT come for treatment for a pt and she couldn't work because the pt was so sensitive to it and had asthma.. kept sending the woman into breathing spasms and fits... poor RT tech was washing her neck and hands but still couldn't go in to do her job.. that is a problem

My hospital has a NO colone or perfume at work policy d/t this type of situation..

Also if so many people are discussing it.. maybe it is their way of saying it is a little to strong... sometimes if you wear a scent for a while you can no longer smell it.. just my 2 cents.. good luck

[mama_d, BSN, RN]

I don't wear perfume, I use body mist instead. Much lighter scent which can double as air freshner when needed! I also do not apply any before my shift starts, so I know whether or not I have patients who are likely to be sensitive to it. It seems like there should be a male equivalent to body mist available.

[tryingtohaveitall]

I agree that healthcare workers shouldn't have any strong odors to them, cigarette smoke or cologne/perfume included. It does seem that the coworkers are making a point that perhaps it's a bit too much.

[BradleyRN]

Now i know in nursing school they say not to but i do because it's just who i'am.

Wearing cologne to work is completely unprofessional. Sick people dont want to smell us. It makes them sicker. Quit caring about what your coworkers think and start caring about what your patients think. I have always looked at nurses who wear cologne into their sick patients rooms as substandard. Dont be one of them. Do your future patients a favor and stop it.

[suzy253, RN]

Time to start thinking of the patients and not whether 'Coworkers mostly female are looking at me different'.

Scents may be quite offensive to some patients. Especially when they are seriously ill.

[suzy253, RN]

Bradley--we posted the same thoughts at the same time!

[BradleyRN]

Bradley--we posted the same thoughts at the same time!

Copycat!

[mscsrjhm]

The fact that co-workers are discussing your scent should give you a clue.

The fact that you were instructed to not wear cologne from your instructors should be the second clue.

Stop wearing ANY perfume, just wear clean.

When I am sick, I sure don't want to smell anything, no matter how expensive it is.

Many patients will ask for another nurse due to a staff's cologne. But how many don't want to ask, and just suffer in silence?

It is very unprofessional.

Sincerely- please stop wearing any scent. It is detrimental to good patient care.

[ns lpn]

I like to smell nice too but there are far too many ppl with sensitivities and allergies. I say no at work and yes at home.

[nursesail]

Not a good idea related people's allergies and sensitivities.

[donsterRN, ASN, BSN]

Now i know in nursing school they say not to but i do because it's just who i'am.

Wow. It's who you are.

Being a nurse means that it's not about you and who you are.

As all of the other responders have indicated, your patients don't care if you wear Armani or Polo, and if your co-workers are discussing it, maybe you should be paying attention. There's a reason nursing schools tell you not to.