Nurses Who Smoke

[bobnurse]

I have one question....... WHY?

[merry nurse]

I have found this very interesting. It may be old news to the members that have been her a long time, but I am fairly new, and have often wondered, why nurses smoke? And this has answered my questions, I guess I really knew the answer anyway, but it helped to see so many opinions and answers. I especially like the answer that nurses are only human and are suceptible to all addictions even when they know it could harm them.

[PicklesRN, RN]

...I hope i answered your questions. Now before someone begins to attack me like the poster did, ...

(sigh) Oh for goodness sakes...............

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Is it really true for every smoker who has lung cancer there's a smoker happily living in his 90s?

We all know people in the 80s and 90s who smoke. The ones in robust health are few and far between. Most elderly people who have been long term smokers are cough chronically, many gasp for air just walking to the bathroom.

So the pointing out a smoker in the 90s as a justification for smoking is dangerous in my opinion.

But I agree that nurses and other who smoke do so primarily because they are addicted. It's a strong power addiction that would drive a person to light up after taking care of a vented patient. It's strong denial that they are going to be one of the lucky ones that have no ill effects if they continue to smoke until they are 90. Smoking eventually about 99.9% of the time affects the health in a negative way of the person who smokes long-term. No one can convince me otherwise, regardless of how many people you point out who have robust health in the 90s. For each one you point out, I'll show you a hospital wing full of young somkers (by young I mean in their 40s to 60s)who are suffering as an effect of smoking. Smokers are also less likely to engage in other healthy activities like exercise, etc. (Yeah, I know you're going to point to the guy who smoked and ran a marathon, spare me please. :chuckle ), so smoking can potentiate the ill effects of other bad habits, IMO.

Most of the smokers, I know are very respectful and mindful of nonsmokers. It's the nonsmokers that can be irritating and hateful some time. :)

Smokers get smoke breaks because they prioritize it. I'm not giving any props to anyone who says they don't get a break but whine about smokers who get breaks. Break and lunch should be a priority.

O.K. off my soapbox now. I don't judge, and I don't criticize and I'm sure I'm sounding preachy, but I'm just offering opinion based on my life's experience, observation, and study. LOL

[pricklypear]

Smokers get smoke breaks because they prioritize it. I'm not giving any props to anyone who says they don't get a break but whine about smokers who get breaks. Break and lunch should be a priority.

I don't think you sound a bit preachy, you are always the voice of reason. This quote is golden. It has been said before, but worth saying again.

I don't prioritize smoking, but I do feel entitled to breaks. I have never, in 5 years, taken an off the clock, 30 minute break. That's my choice. I have too much work to do, and don't want to leave my patients to someone else for that amount of time. When smoking was allowed at my hospital, I took 2-3 5-10 minute breaks in a 12 hour shift. That's not unreasonable. I don't get breaks because I smoke, as some people here have alluded to, I get breaks because we are all entitled to them. I choose to take them, others don't. If I hear one more time "I think I'll take up smoking so I can get a break, too" I'll scream. I really will.

[markjrn]

I usually lurk and read on this site but this is an issue that I take very personally. Smoking is an addiction, a drug that when you use it affects the people around you. If I'm going to sit next to you and drink a whole bottle of vodka or do drugs I have not adversely affected your health. However when you smoke in the same restaurant as me, I am forced to inhale second hand smoke, it's not a choice. I am in a family of pack a day smokers and they get very defensive- it's the nature of smokers to act like it is their right to pollute the air that I breathe. However I choose not to smoke, and I was never happier when a no smoking ban was passed in our city. Now you cannot even stand outside the doors of public buildings and smoke. I am also in the same city as a company that gave employees 13 months and also the resources to quit or be fired..3 people lost their jobs.

If someone chooses to kill themselves with smoking, that's fine, but my right, my choice as a non smoker is to breathe clean air and not have someone make that decision for me. Perhaps smokers should think for a moment about the other people they affect when they smoke- most smokers I know only care about how it affects them.

Vodka isn't illegal, neither are cigarettes.

When you are high or drink and drive, for example, it affects others. If you're sitting beside me hooting, it's going to affect me.

You could always avoid your family.

[markjrn]

You throw a rock at me ONCE..I'll get pretty pissed off. :chuckle

Z

heh :chuckle

[leslie :-D]

tweety- i whole heartedly agree for those who smoke right up into their 90's are the exception and not the rule. people who smoke are essentially writing their own death certificate.

furthermore, i've met too many people that have led extremely healthy lifestyles, very conscientous and have been dx'd w/ca- w/my mom and sister being only 2 of the many.

as a heavy smoker myself, i am realistic and have told my kids that i'll be lucky to make it til 60. i say that realistically but also as a deterrant to them smoking. i tell them i'm addicted and am seriously contemplating going to a hypnotist.

my next door neighbor was a 3 pack/day smoker who went to this hypnotist and hasn't had a cigarette since then. it costs $300, which today, would buy you around 6 cartons of cigarettes.

i really wish smoking was illegal. yes i understand there would be a black market and there would always be those who would smoke illegally,but it would still drastically cut down the quantity of those who smoke. i hate myself for smoking, i really do.

and as i've tried to quit a number of times, i am seriously going to think about hypnosis.

so for those who think that our deaths are pre-destined, i disagree.

we need to take responsibility for our actions, our habits and our health.

leslie

[RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN]

Seeing the countless COPD patients and chronic lungers should drive anyone to quit....It just amazes me to see nurses and respiratory therapist who smoke...You know your fate....

I TOTALLY AGREE ON THAT ONE

[prmenrs, RN]

I think we're about done w/this topic; I'm closing it.

If anyone is unhappy about that, pm me.