Smoking at Work.

[Jo Dirt]

I know smoking is an addiction and it can be hard to quit, but I just read something in another post that put this on my mind, because I know exactly what they are talking about.

I started training a new nurse not long ago. Up until last week I rarely to never took a break out on the porch. Since I started training this nurse, it's always "let's go out and smoke." The first time I told her I don't smoke, so she says "come sit with me anyway." So, I went. She will ask me to come out on the porch with her so she can smoke and I may as well because I can't really show her the ropes if I'm not with her.

I know for a fact all these smoke breaks cuts down on production because since I have started training and working with her I've quit what I'm doing so many times and felt annoyed walking away from it. She even wants me to sit with her and smoke when the shift ends and I want to go home.

I guess it sounds like I'm coming down hard on smokers, maybe I am. I just see what a horrible cycle it is. It seems like seeing people inside on oxygen dying from emphysema would phase them as they are out there puffing away (and there are a lot of them who do) but it doesn't.

Do you notice this where you work? Or am I just too uptight?

[PurpleMyst]

Hi, I'm not a nurse just doing my pre-req's but I am a smoker (unfortunately) and I can easily tell you that you are being waaay too nice. You are not a smoker and should not be subjected to the second hand smoke just so you can train this person. It almost sounds like she's taking too many smoke breaks anyway. I think it is unreasonable for her to ask you to come out with her when it is she who is being trained. Perhaps you can ask her to use a nicotine patch while in training? I know I would never ask a person who is taking the time and trouble to train me to come out and take a smoke break with me. I would take a break if possible and do it on my own. Or better yet take Zyban and quit so I could have the stamina to do my work. My

I know of a nurse who is a smoker and she tells me she doesn't do it at work because she doesn't have time.

I hope this helps

[GeauxNursing]

I concur with above poster, how many smoke breaks is this girl getting?

(my quit date is August 4!!) I'm going with the "wean, then patches" route.

[edmia, BSN, RN]

Hmmm. I agree that you are being way too nice to this person.

As her trainer, you need to go over the policy regarding breaks with her (if there is one at your job). It does sound like she's taking too many breaks if you have to stop what you're doing in order to accompany her.

I think she knows she's pushing the limit and wants you along to vouch for her. If you, who are training her, are out there with her and didn't inform her it was inappropriate to take that many breaks.... then it's your fault if she's called on it.

Put an end to it now before it becomes a habit.

I know it's hard to confront people on their addictions, so hopefully your facility has an established, written policy about break times that you can use to frame this with.

Good luck!

[grandee3]

I concur with above poster, how many smoke breaks is this girl getting?

(my quit date is August 4!!) I'm going with the "wean, then patches" route.

You geaux girl! :yeah:

[ZooMommyRN, ADN, RN]

I agree you're to nice, I smoke but I can also work a 12 hr shift without going outside for one if I'm busy, one in the am, lunch and one in the afternoon, if she can't handle that then maybe she should try bringing some gum or keep some carrots or celery that she can snack on while doing charting or going over charts to help curb the cravings, Good Luck!

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

If you don't want to go out with her, why are you?

You're being nice to her, but what about the patients or tasks that you say were interrupted?

As a preceptor you are there to set an example and let people know what's OK and not at work- just tell her.

[PurpleMyst]

Hello again, I felt compelled to add to my previous post. I hope that some day when and if I get a job as a nurse I have someone as nice, conscientious, and considerate as you to train me. It is rare to find people who are so open minded and kind. Smoking is a filthy habit, but I'm glad that there are people like you who understand addiction and the psychological problems we smokers have. I aim to quit again, because I have tried 3 times before, and I know now that it is more than just a nicotine addiction. All the same I just wanted to thank you for being so nice to this lady and hope you find a peaceful way to let her know that you don't have the time for smoke breaks.

[catlynLPN]

She's the trainee and she's deciding the break times already?

I hate to think how she will be after she's finished with orientation.

She probably will get very little work done, if any.

I worked with a nurse like that. As soon as we both got report on our halls, I got my med cart out and started my med pass.

She goes out to the patio and starts smoking. Hadn't been there 30 minutes and she was out smoking.

She was slow passing meds when she did get started so I don't know how she ever got finished.

I was slow, too, but my word, at least I didn't spend my time smoking.

[davb]

You can do what you want, but if this person is making you take breaks at the same time as them and you don't want to, then don't. I smoked for 15 years and have been quit (completely) for about 7. I would encourage her to quit, and only take breaks with her if you want to and have time. Smoking is a very social habit, and if she didn't have someone to talk to when she smokes, she may skip the smoke break. I think the hardest thing to break is the habit of smoking, and not the nicotine (Sp?) addiction. Smoking when you talk with or visit friends and coworkers. Smoking after you eat. Smoking when you drive. Having a ciggarette in your hand and smoking it. That is what I was addicted to more than the actual nicotine.

My attitude about ciggs is the tobacco companies already have enough money, I don't need to give them mine (I wish I had all that money back now). Tobacco should be legal, but it should be illegal to grow or manufacture tobacco products as a business for financial gain. If people grew it for themselves fine, but no one should be able to sell it: Unless you want to make drug dealing legal.

I think the tobacco companies can take their product and shove it up their ******!

[jkeys100]

Do you notice this where you work? Or am I just too uptight?

No, Thank God, we're a no smoking facility. Smoking is just plain nasty. But adults have the freedom to do whatever they want as long as they're not blowing the smoke my way. I work with respiratory therapists who counsel patients about smoking and they are chain smokers. They now wear patches to work and smoke as soon as they leave the premesis. Two of our respiratory therapists have died with lung CA in the past year.

[Atheos]

I wish my facility would ban smoking, it would make it that much easier to quit. Yeah I would whine and grumble and mope around but I think eventually it would help me quit.

It would be better if they would just make smokes illegal. Remove em from the store. If I couldn't get em from a 7-11 quitting would be MUCH easier.