Why you need to learn how to breathe

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No, seriously. You need to learn how to breathe.

I’m not just trying to sound all new age-y here. There REALLY is a right and a wrong way to breathe in the world of nursing.

OK, I’m not going to ask you to hold your breath or do something crazy like dunking your head while bobbing for apples (although that could be a cruel practical joke).

The truth is, you need to train your brain how to breathe properly when caring for patients. Just ask any seasoned nurse. There are certain scents and smells we cannot avoid, no matter what we do. It’s the nature of our job. There are some particularly putrid smells that can…uhh..well, for a lack of better explanation, turn your stomach. Some smells out there will make you lose your lunch, quite literally.

So, you need to learn how to breathe through your mouth and not through your nose. Mouth breathing is your friend. You need to figure out how to mouth breathe unconsciously, without having to think about it.

It’s the only way to survive those deadly aromas that can knock even the largest of men to their knees. And that first breath through your nose is allllllllllll you need.

Although come to think of it, I guess holding your breath could apply to this topic–I just don’t think anyone has the skills to hold their breath the length of time it takes to clean up the mess that caused the smell.

I think you get the picture.

For more Career Advice for Nurses pick up the latest issue of Scrubs magazine, available at a retail store near you!