Question about residents that smoke

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I work in a LTCF and we have residents that smoke, and the DON has made it a policy that certain assignments will take these residents out to smoke.

My question is....

should nonsmoking employees be forced to take these residents out to smoke, and be subjected to the second hand smoke? (I'm not trying to turn this into a debate here about smoking or non, just have a serious question.)

We have been told that it IS in our job description, however, I'm not too sure of that.

#1- cigarette smoke makes me physically ill.

#2- There's enough people around there that DO smoke, one of them could take these people out, and not force someone else to do it.

#3- I have my own personal reasons in that I have had cancer related deaths in my family resulting from cigarette smoking, and truly hate it. (But that's my own bias.)

So, what's your opinion? Should non smokers be forced to take residents out to smoke? And is there a law stating that we HAVE to?

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

I think the loophole that can save you from having to take residents out to smoke is that there are lots of staff members who smoke. Can't you make a deal with a smoker to do that, with the boss's knowledge, of course?

By the way, I don't smoke, hate smoking, and despise smelling like it after taking a patient out to smoke, BUT I sit upwind as much as possible, and have found smoke breaks to be a wonderful way to get to know patients/residents, since they talk more freely sometimes, while smoking, and sitting in a relaxed environment. It's not all bad for us non-smokers!

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Specializes in OB.

When you take patients "out" to smoke is it really requiring you to be close enough to be breathing in their secondhand smoke? Other than perhaps lighting it for them if they can't do so themselves, is there any reason you can't stay 10-15 feet away (and upwind?). I could certainly understand your objection if you are required to be in an enclosed area with them.

If your discomfort is because you disapprove of smoking and have bad personal associations that is a different issue.

By the way, as a smoker myself, I will take smokers out even if they are someone else's patient, but do not smoke while out there with them (just doesn't feel right to me), so don't ask me to take Mr. So-and-So out with me "while you are on break" since I need my few minutes of downtime too.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I also work at a LTCF, where it is strictly the responsibility of the laundry department to smoke the residents.

My previous workplace required nursing to smoke the residents at predetermined times while being chronically understaffed. I am also one who cringes at the smell of smoke, although I am cognizant that it is the right of the residents to smoke.

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Yuk! I'm all for promotion of health and prevention of preventable diseases--so it wouldn't be in my job description.

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Specializes in Mostly LTC, some acute and some ER,.

There are a few CNA's at my workplace that have issues with ciggarette smoke. I understand that. If they do have an issue with smoking (such as triggering athsma issues) I will not delegate the task to them. There is often one that vollunteers at the smoke times, as we have some persistant residents. LOL.

However, the CNA's have a busy job too. If we are short handed, or having a busy day, I will take the smokers out myself if I have a few minutes to spare. I don't mind it because I understand their nicotine craving . . .Yeah, I smoke. . .No one flame me.

In your situation, I feel that you have the right to not have to do it. If you do end up having to do it, stay away from them if possible. Best yet, make a deal with another staff member to take them out.

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Specializes in med-surg 5 years geriatrics 12 years.

I worked in a facility that mandated staff to "smoke" the smokers. Couple of my coworkers pushed the issue and in that state it was illegal to force nonsmokers to take people out to smoke. So, the smokers were assigned the job.

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