Smoking cessation or not

Specialties Correctional

Published

I'm a nurse working for a metropolitan jail. There is no smoking in this jail and once you clock in, you cannot leave until you clock out. Now I know smoking is BAD, but I've been doing it for 36 years. I've tried numerous ways to quit, but never seem to succeed. I really like my job. So, do I quit (or attempt) smoking because the MAN says I have to? Or continue to sneak around for a puff on the chance of getting caught? fired?

If any of you ex-smokers have a sure fire way to quit..........I'm all ears. Or should I attempt to sue for my right to kill myself with nicotine if I so desire? My options are slim.

Specializes in Nursing Education.

Have you considered wearing a patch during work hours? I know that works for me. Like you, I have tried many times to quit without success (I will not stop trying until I succeed tho). However, wearing the patch at work has really helped me. It seems like I never have time to take a break anyway, so, the patch makes it more manageable for me. Just a thought.

I certainly would not sue .... not sure that you would have a case, especially given all the new laws about public smoking, but I would try the patch. Good luck.

Specializes in Neuro trauma ICU, Flight Nurse.

It took me two smokes to start and 10 years to quit. Don't risk your job, it takes exactly one sniff for me to know when someone has just been smoking. Keep trying to quit. Just keep trying. Stats show that the more quit attempts you have, the more likely you are to succeed. It just takes trying over and over and over and over and over again. Good luck!

Originally posted by walterrn

I'm a nurse working for a metropolitan jail. There is no smoking in this jail and once you clock in, you cannot leave until you clock out. Now I know smoking is BAD, but I've been doing it for 36 years. I've tried numerous ways to quit, but never seem to succeed. I really like my job. So, do I quit (or attempt) smoking because the MAN says I have to? Or continue to sneak around for a puff on the chance of getting caught? fired?

If any of you ex-smokers have a sure fire way to quit..........I'm all ears. Or should I attempt to sue for my right to kill myself with nicotine if I so desire? My options are slim.

Have you read this post before posting it? Why did you take this job in the first place? You agreed to rules, you want to break your agreement, Tell me how much less is your word worth than someone else who follows the rules. Your word is worth nothing. Your integrity since you made an agreement and are sneaking around ? you be the judge.

Specializes in Neuro trauma ICU, Flight Nurse.

Barbpick, not everything is so cut and dry. Smoking is an addiction. The folks that have the misfortune of getting addicted to this nasty habit have a HELL of a time getting away from it for even eight hours. Consider giving the guy some support, eh?

Specializes in Nursing Education.
Originally posted by BarbPick

Have you read this post before posting it? Why did you take this job in the first place? You agreed to rules, you want to break your agreement, Tell me how much less is your word worth than someone else who follows the rules. Your word is worth nothing. Your integrity since you made an agreement and are sneaking around ? you be the judge.

Gee Barb .... kind of harsh don't you think? People have to work and perhaps this was one of the only options for the poster. I know from my experience, I have had a terrible time quitting. As I have said earlier, I am going to quit .... it may take me a while, but I am committed to it. Anyway .... might want to walk is the posters shoes for a while. :rolleyes:

Hi Waltern.

It's a personal choice. I smoked for 20 years and in the past year have finally been able to give it up and I can communicate this at least;

IT IS SO MUCH BETTER ! I MEAN LIKE NIGHT AND DAY.

I know right now that may not seem possible to you but if you do decide to embark on this quest realize there are many many people out there who will offer to help.

One site I found useful was http://www.stopsmokingcenter.net, however there are many around.

Try to do it for the next few minutes, then the next few hours and if you slip don't throw in the towel get right back on the horse.

Freedom from smoking is just around the corner if you keep walking down the road.

Drop me a line at [email protected] if you wish.

I wish you all the best in your decision. It's a difficult one to make and a difficult road to follow .....

BUT IT CAN BE DONE UNDER ANY AND ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.

Specializes in Neuro trauma ICU, Flight Nurse.

Another great stopsmoking resource for me was http://www.quitnet.com. It had an excellent support forum. You might give them a shot!:D

Originally posted by cpillow

Barbpick, not everything is so cut and dry. Smoking is an addiction. The folks that have the misfortune of getting addicted to this nasty habit have a HELL of a time getting away from it for even eight hours. Consider giving the guy some support, eh?

This is exactly what happened at my husband's police dept. They made a no smoking policy. They said from this date, no one will be hired who smokes. They gave one year to those to quit to continue their employment. This was the same thing that I repeated, these people made an agreement. hey I have not given up all my carbs, I use the phase two starch blockers.

I said exactly what was told every employee, don't smoke, stay smoke leave. OCN is behind my name, Certified Oncology Nurse, I have supported a zillion to stop smoking and will to my dying day, That was not the question here.

The rules no smoking. Hey CNN is totally smoke free, and they take spot urine.

This rational is for cheaper health insurance.

What would I do would go on wellbutrin XL, be as happy as a clam and I will finish this later cuz mr cranky who can't have his cigars is bugging me to leave

Specializes in Nursing Education.
Originally posted by Buddhakan

One site I found useful was http://www.stopsmokingcenter.net, however there are many around.

BUT IT CAN BE DONE UNDER ANY AND ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.

Wow .... thank you so much for the URL .... I have already signed up and have set a quit date .... I am so excited about this site .... it actually might be the answer for me. A million thanks to you for this information.:roll :roll :roll

Specializes in Neuro trauma ICU, Flight Nurse.
Originally posted by BarbPick

Have you read this post before posting it? Why did you take this job in the first place? You agreed to rules, you want to break your agreement, Tell me how much less is your word worth than someone else who follows the rules. Your word is worth nothing. Your integrity since you made an agreement and are sneaking around ? you be the judge.

:o

Look Barbpick, all I'm saying is that your post to this person looking for quit smoking advice did not SEEM very supportive. Did YOU read YOUR post before reading it? You questioned the poster's integrity because they're even THINKING about smoking. It just seems a little bit judgemental, condescending, rude, closed minded to judge someone about something that you clearly have never experienced. If you HAD taken Wellbutrin XL in the past, you would know that there are some really fun side effects that most people DO experience (for instance irritability - NOT the calmness that you assume one experiences when taking this med) AND not all people who take wellbutrin are successful with quitting.

Let's see here, cliche... Walk a mile in one's mocassins..... Judge not lest ye be judged.... The one without sin may cast the first stone, etc, etc......

P.S. My name only has RN behind it... So maybe that makes some kind of difference here??? :confused:

We see the post and situation differently. Why would anyone put themselves in a lose lose situation? Why choose the job in the first place and then be miserable? It has to do with agreements. Did you miss the part about sneaking and not wishing to get caught? There are many jobs for nurses. Why choose such turmoil. I watched as the civilian employees at my husband's police dept were fired for breeching the no smoking policy. This is legal btw. You agree to follow their rules or get terminated.

This has nothing to do with empathy. Why was this job taken in the first place?

Something else why jails are now becoming smoke free. Prisons are also becoming smoke free, they are in Florida because the state no longer wants to pay for the health care for inmates and cancer from smoking.

This whole situation has to do with cost. Not inner termoil and being fair. If the employees are smoke free, there are fewer sick days taken, there is less long term employee interuptions.

Bottom line, you make an agreement you keep it, if you do not you get fired.

I am not judging. This is the big picture. I have seen the employers keep their agreements, they fire people who do not comply.

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