Our olfactory senses are one of the strongest links to our emotions, so give props to a nurse who doesn’t lose it while facing a mix of antiseptics and mystery smells that would make most people gag.
Nurses have to deal with a number of difficult odors including body odors, vomit, urine, infection, and more.
Yet, nurses are like the unsung heroes of smells. Somehow, when their noses are under attack, they stay calm.
That doesn’t mean every nurse is unaffected by strong scents. According to research, some individuals may react with a headache or nausea to intense odors; even more, prolonged exposure to these smells could affect the mood, causing anxiety.
Dealing with strong smells is part of the job. But how do you do that, AND preserve your patient’s dignity?
You look for professional tips for handling odor-sensitive situations in nursing, of course!
Common sources of odors in the nursing field
Sniff. Sniff. You smell that? Whispers one nurse to another while scanning the room for the source.
Every nurse is usually familiar with common odors in the nursing world, and has their own ways of dealing with them (which we will get to later).
So, what are the top causes of smells that nurses encounter on the floor?
- Antiseptics and cleaning agents
- Body fluids, all of them
- Body odors, all of them
- Incontinence accidents
- Spoiled food
- Unwashed linens
- Wound infections
- Medication side effects
We wish every hospital administration team would provide their nurses with a handbook on how to handle pungent smells on the job, but there isn't.
Strategies for controlling odors in hospitals or nursing homes often fall to the nurses themselves—sigh.
Fortunately, we’ve got a few tips for handling patient body odors in healthcare.
Products nurses can use to minimize exposure to bad smells
"When I observed an amputation in the OR (due to gangrene) a few years ago, everyone in the case put a single drop of oil of cloves on the inside of their surgical mask." – A nurse contributor on Reddit.
Nurses don’t go to boot camp to prepare for the smells they will encounter on the job. Instead, they are thrown into a whirlwind of funky, and sometimes extremely bad-smelling odors.
Which products help nurses control hospital odors?
We got the lowdown from some real nurses on how they deal with smells, plus some added research of our own:
Essential oils
Essential oils are one of the effective antidotes to strong smells. Just a few drops on the wrists or under the nose is a great way to mask bad smells at work.
One nurse on Reddit shared, “I carry a bottle of peppermint oil in my clinical bag. A little on the inside of your mask works wonders”.
Vicks VapoRub
Vicks VapoRub is a powerhouse agent for masking and handling patient body odors in healthcare. Apply a small amount under your nostrils or inside your mask to feel the difference.
Check that you are not allergic to any ingredients in Vicks VapoRub before using it in this manner.
Breathing techniques
Mouth breathing is a technique that works well for some and not for others. That’s because even though you are breathing through your mouth, most of your sense of smell relies on olfactory receptors in the nose, which, if not completely covered, can still get a sneak peek of what’s smelling up an area.
If you do try mouth breathing, start by breathing through your mouth before entering a room. Attempt to keep your nasal passages shut by mentally focusing on mouth breathing only.
Protective gear
Try wearing a double mask with a scented item such as an essential oil or a vapor rub (as mentioned above). You may only want to use this method in the most extreme cases, like when entering rooms with strong odors from infections.
Environmental odor control
Hopefully, the hospital or medical center where you work has mastered odor control and employs specific methods to keep strong smells under control.
Strong antiseptics and cleaning agents will usually be part of this mix, which ironically can also contribute to unwanted smells—especially if they contain chemicals.
If you are a nurse leader or part of a hospital administration team, you may suggest the following room deodorization tips that are more natural (in addition to traditional cleaning products).
Room deodorization
Place coffee grounds in a few containers around the room, or run a nebulizer with coffee to help control odors in nursing. Sound kinda weird?
One nurse shared on Reddit, “A trick we used in the hospital for rooms with bad lingering stink was to put strong coffee in a nebulizer and run it on air in the room to try and cover up the smell.”
Clean linens regularly
Clean linens regularly to manage patient odors. Patient hygiene management is vital for odor control in nursing. Nursing tips for unpleasant odors will always advise prioritizing clean linens for patients. This will make a huge difference in how nurses deal with bad smells in the hospital.
Odor-absorbing products
Use a hospital-approved neutralizer, such as a biological odor eliminator spray, which contains fewer chemicals than traditional hospital-approved cleaners. These types of biological odor eliminators will minimize exposure to bad smells and contain less harmful ingredients.
How can nurses stay focused when dealing with unpleasant smells?
By implementing a few of these strategies above, plus using clinical smell management, nurses can protect their senses, stay composed, and continue providing top-notch care without distraction.
How nurses can stay professional despite unpleasant odors
We get it. Strong smells are not to be taken lightly. Sometimes, a little humor can also help you as a nurse navigate odors in the workplace.
Just jump on Reddit or a nursing community page, and share tips for dealing with the bad smells in nursing that make even the toughest nurses wrinkle their noses.
Have a laugh or two, remember that we’re all human with bodily fluids and functions, and also recognize that gradual exposure helps with coping with hospital smells.
It’s important to remember that more often than not, the smells nurses are confronted with at work are not the fault of their patients. The job regularly places nurses with patients in their most vulnerable moments, so learning to deal with bad smells in a way that also protects their dignity is valuable.
Maintaining professionalism through both the good and bad aspects of the nursing world is essential for delivering high-quality patient care.
In a nutshell, some of the best ways for nurses to manage bad smells at work are to make sure you get a support system and keep a few of the hacks mentioned above in the pocket of your scrubs. This is how to deal with bad smells as a nurse, and (yes) eventually it does get easier!
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Check out Nursa’s Shift Marketplace to pick up PRN shifts at hospitals and healthcare facilities near you.
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