Do you have to be able to smell to be a nurse?

Question

I want to be a nurse but I can't smell.

Answer 1

I've been a nurse for 33 years and I've never heard smell being a necessary quality. It certainly cant hurt,but I dont know if they'd reject you because your smeller is off. For one thing,they never test your ability to smell. I'm slightly color blind and was afraid it would stop me from being a nurse. I just became more aware of what things said rather than depend on what color it is. This is a very good thing when it comes to passing medications. I'd be willing to bet if any smell is bad enough to be noticed,someone else will know that and it will be up to you as a nurse to handle it from there on.

Answer 2

I know someone who lost their sense of smell after a childhood illness, so it's not uncommon.

As for being a requirement to have a working nose as a nurse, no you don't need it. Actually you'll probably be better off! Smells make a lot of people gag when it comes to certan clean up duties. You should be fine. It's not considered a handicap or anything.

Answer 3

Nope and your life maybe better because of it. However, you will have to be a little more aware about visual clues while performing care.

**people, please do not fuss at me about this scenario. It's a real life issue**

I often am able to tell if my CNA/Techs have been doing their jobs adequately by the smell of the room. Has the bed bath been given appropriately? Was personal care adequately performed? Does additional ostomy teaching need to be performed (smell is a big worry for ostomy patients).
Also, I don't routinely check the briefs (aka diapers) of patients every time I walk in a room, but a quick sniff test lets me know if someone needs a little extra attention.

Answer 4

I dont think they would reject you for that. I work in a hospital, while in orientation they do tasting tests like if its sweet you say sweet or bitter sour, but they dont test you for any smelling test. Dont worry. you will be able to work anywhere as a nurse, specially with the shortness we have. Good luck!

Answer 5

I am a nurse and there is many a day I wish I could'nt smell. You' ll do fine if thats your only problem

Answer 6

At first I thought I read the question wrong, haha...But HELL NAW you don't have to be able to smell, why, what in the world do you think you're gonna be missing out on? If you wanted to I guess you could taste it to make up for not smelling it!!

Answer 7

Don't let em know you can't smell, they might give you all the dirty jobs to do!

Answer 8

What? What's that suppose to mean?
FOR ALL THOSE IGNORANTS THAT HAVE THEIR THUMBS DOWN READ BEFORE ANSWER.