Smokers need not apply?

Nurses Professionalism

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So I've reached my 2 year mark & getting a little restless, toying with the idea of moving into a different dept or facility. I was looking at a website for another hospital & they have posted that they will no longer hire anyone that uses nicotine which will be screened for during the employment physical. Not an issue for me, but I found the bold underlined statement a little jarring. I understand that in healthcare we want to promote healthy lifestyles, but dictating personal legal habits to employees is a bit of a push don't you think? Is this common in other areas & just reaching my neck of the woods?

Specializes in Dialysis.

My employer is a smoke free facility but they haven't started testing for nicotene nor do they deny employment to those that smoke.

I am a smoker but am able to work through the day only having a cigarette on my unpaid lunch.

I don't think my employer should have any say in what I do during my off time. I do however need a job so if they did say "quit smoking or you're out a job" then I guess I would gave no choice but to quit.

Its not right in my opinion but it is what it is.

I am unfortunately a smoker who is currently researching effective ways of quitting (there have been many failed attempts!). Our hospital does not test for nicotine but we are a smoke-free campus (if patients are caught sneaking out to smoke then they will promptly be brought back by security in their golf carts) and it clearly states in our employee handbook that if an employee smells like cigarette smoke then trouble will be brewing. I do not take smoke breaks at work. I barely have time to pee! How in the world am I going to find time in my day to walk all the way across a our huge campus, have a smoke, and then walk all the way back? Ain't nobody got time for that!

I quit, (cold turkey), 33 years ago with Oreo Cookies. Have not had a cigarette since July of 1980. If I can do it, so can you.

Smokers do not realize how unpleasant the smell of smoke is. Unfortunatley, is not until you quit, that you realize how awful it is. And why everyone else can't stand the odor. Think of the unfortunate patients who are captive to your smokers breath, odor on your clothes, hair, it is all around you, and you cannot make it go away.

I remember, in the winter, hanging my coat up, coming back 12 hours later, to find that a smoker hung their coat next mine. I would put my coat on to leave, and it just reeked of smoke. My daughter has asthma, and I would have to leave my coat in the garage, to air out, before I could bring it in the house. How is that fair to me or my daughter?

That is the difference with smokers and alcoholics. If they drink, it doesn't affect me, (unless they drink and drive).

Smoking is a choice. Breathing is not.

JMHO and my NY $0.02

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN (ret)

Somewhere in the PACNW

Specializes in Transitional Nursing.

I think its crap. Especially since theyre not just saying no tobacco but no nicotine either. They should also say no caffiene or adhd meds too while they're at it.

I do t think an employer should have the right to dictate what you do in your off time. Sure, no smoking on the grounds, no extra breaks, higher health insurance rates if you smoke even. (and if you are t2 diabetic obese etc while were at it) but to tell someone what they can and can't do in their own home is insane, provided its legal.

I think its a stupid policy and I think if we start here its only a matter of time before hospitals wont hire overweight people etc.

Addiction sucks.

Specializes in Psych/AOD.

I reluctantly admit that I am a smoker. My facility does not allow smoking on the property, which I agree with. It is very rare that I have time to take any break, let alone a smoking break. I will take an electronic cigarette to work with me and take a few hits off of it when I go to the restroom. It does not produce smoke so does not leave me stinking like an ashtray but gives me the nicotine that I crave. Just wondering what others' take on electronic cigarettes are?

Specializes in Psych/AOD.

Also wanted to add this. If an employee wants to take a smoke break they are required to clock in and out for that break, and go off the property. If an employee wants to take a regular non smoking break or lunch break they are NOT required to clock in and out for that. Just doesn't make sense.

Specializes in ortho, hospice volunteer, psych,.

I had two parents who smoked very heavily and instead of growing up to be a chain smoker, I'm one of the staunchest NONsmokers, on the planet. The psych hospital where I worked for years became nonsmoking for its residents and employees alike in the mid-1990's. The reason we employees were mandated too is that someone decided that it would be too difficult for the patients if they could smell smoke on us, but not be allowed to smoke themselves. People crabbed about it for awhile but as with most things, eventually people just gave up.

As for flu shots, I am violently allergic to them so must depend on herd immunity to protect myself. My husband gets one and that helps. Almost everyone except the Amish get flu shots, and that helps.

Specializes in Transitional Nursing.

Also, you can ban smoking while on duty and not refuse to hire smokers to fix all the issues most everyone has.

I had no problem getting through my shifts without smoking. I actually am ashamed of it and have tried and teied and tried to quit. I would chew nicotine gum or wear a patch. Not one person knew I smoked.

I've tried chantix, vaping, cold turkey, weaning down, hypnotism, gum, patch, inhalers. ....you name it. When I was 16 I just didnt get it. We need to be more focused on keeping people from starting than making people quit.

Believe me I want to quit and I don't know any smokers who dont want to quit. Having people tell me I should quit doesn't help me. I know that! If I could figure out a way I would.

I hate it. I am a slave to it. Get up have a butt. Drink coffee have a butt. Sit on the hot porch to have a butt. Smell like ass everywhere I go and wonder if people can smell it on me still. It sucks! I did it to myself yes ...but believe me I wish to god that I didn't.

Blah. Sorry for the ramble!!

Specializes in Transitional Nursing.
Also wanted to add this. If an employee wants to take a smoke break they are required to clock in and out for that break and go off the property. If an employee wants to take a regular non smoking break or lunch break they are NOT required to clock in and out for that. Just doesn't make sense.[/quote']

Used them once to quit. Its called vaping and I enjoyed it. They have all sorts of devices and nic juice that give you the sensation of smoking. I actually like it a lot....I'm not sure how I ended up back on ciggs. I think my device broke and I wound up back on them. Maybe ill pick it back up but I'd still test pos for nicotine....

Specializes in Going to Peds!.
Smell like ass everywhere I go and wonder if people can smell it on me still. It sucks! I did it to myself yes ...but believe me I wish to god that I didn't.

Yes. We can ALL smell it on you. You (and every other smoker) stink. When you spray ozone or febreze or perfume to try and mitigate the odor, then you just smell like cigarettes AND whatever else you sprayed. That's even worse for your respiratory patients or your coworkers with asthma and allergies. It doesn't matter if you keep your work clothes in a separate closet. It doesn't matter if you don't smoke in your home or car. The odor is emanating from your hair, your skin, your breath.

Sent from my HTC One X using allnurses.com

Specializes in Psych/AOD.
Used them once to quit. Its called vaping and I enjoyed it. They have all sorts of devices and nic juice that give you the sensation of smoking. I actually like it a lot....I'm not sure how I ended up back on ciggs. I think my device broke and I wound up back on them. Maybe ill pick it back up but I'd still test pos for nicotine....

You can get electronic cigarettes that have no nicotine in them. My original intention in using them was to slowly decrease the nicotine levels I was using, eventually going to zero nicotine. Alas, haven't been able to get to that zero level yet and still smoke regular cigs at home. It is a nasty habit for sure. I've heard others say that it's harder to quit smoking than it is to quit heroin. Never done heroin so I can't personally vouch for that.

My employer (a large academic medical center) has been "smoke-free" (inside the buildings) for years; it has recently announced that, starting next year, employees will not be allowed to smoke at all during the day. It is offering free support/products/coaching to help employees quit, and, once the new policy kicks in, employees who come to work or come back from lunch or a break smelling of smoke will be counseled and, eventually (if the behavior continues), fired. I'm guessing that the next step after that will be to start screening for nicotine in advance and stop hiring smokers. Suits me just fine (long overdue, IMO).

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