Nurses who smoke

Nurses Safety

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i would like to know anyone's opinion on nurses who smoke. i know someone who works in an outpatient cancer center, and on her breaks she smokes outside while patients are going in and out of the building (and they see her smoking). do you think it is positive for a nurse to smoke, and then educate her patients about not smoking? especially infront of a lung cancer pt??? :stone

this post is just for your view on this issue, and i am a neutral. i have been a smoker for several years, and i will be graduating from nursing school in the spring. many people including my instructors have been so negative towards my smoking, i just want to know what to expect when i get into the work place. are nurses ok with this? i know that its bad for me, and i know i should quit, but thats easier said then done. any suggestions???

sorry for the original typo's, you guys can be harsh on the spelling errors :imbar

To all who have responded, I am glad you did! Being in nursing school, I just like to know what's going on in the real world. I am a smoker, and I have seen people, even my professors, get bent out of shape about it. I don't think it should matter if we smoke, the only thing that matters is how well we care for our patients. My QUESTION was not made to affend anyone, I just wanted to know what you were thinking.

Thanks again,

Five=star

P.S I will remember to avoid doorways ;-) and sorry about the typos, it was a late night.

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I only spelled opinion wrong, and I put "no" instead of "know" . SORRY!!! I was only asking about your opinion........no need to be rude.:p

It is not positive for anyone to be smoking, but it is her legal right.

Do you think that it is "positive" for the professional image of Nursing to post on a BB, using many misspelled words?

I would say that it is not a positive image to portray of Nursing, but that it is your legal right.

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Specializes in Case Mgmt; Mat/Child, Critical Care.

Very well said. I know the OP was just asking a question, getting opinions, but really, nurses are humans, just like everyone else. We all have our vices, we are not "saints" called into service and expected to be martyrs for our jobs!

PS: I am an ex-smoker...smoked for about 5yrs, no-smoker now x6yrs.

.... Therefore, what business is it of yours if I smoke? We already had a thread about overweight nurses and the "example" they set.....we all have to realize that we are not perfect, we are not robots, we are human, and we all have flaws or issues that may not make us the "perfect example". I don't think that was a pre-requisite to get into nursing school.IMHO
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Specializes in Case Mgmt; Mat/Child, Critical Care.

Very well said. I know the OP was just asking a question, getting opinions, but really, nurses are humans, just like everyone else. We all have our vices, we are not "saints" called into service and expected to be martyrs for our jobs!

PS: I am an ex-smoker...smoked for about 5yrs, no-smoker now x6yrs.

.... Therefore, what business is it of yours if I smoke? We already had a thread about overweight nurses and the "example" they set.....we all have to realize that we are not perfect, we are not robots, we are human, and we all have flaws or issues that may not make us the "perfect example". I don't think that was a pre-requisite to get into nursing school.IMHO
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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.
I only spelled opinion wrong, and I put "no" instead of "know" . SORRY!!! I was only asking about your opinion........no need to be rude.:p

The point is if we judge nurse's professionalism by the habits (smoking), then why would we not judge them by how they portray themselves in print.

And why do you consider it rude? Would you rather go to court one day and see a blow up of your Charting in evidence with incorrect spellings and grammar? That would be embarassing beyond belief, but it frequently happens to nurses, and makes them look really unprofessional.

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.
I only spelled opinion wrong, and I put "no" instead of "know" . SORRY!!! I was only asking about your opinion........no need to be rude.:p

The point is if we judge nurse's professionalism by the habits (smoking), then why would we not judge them by how they portray themselves in print.

And why do you consider it rude? Would you rather go to court one day and see a blow up of your Charting in evidence with incorrect spellings and grammar? That would be embarassing beyond belief, but it frequently happens to nurses, and makes them look really unprofessional.

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Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.
I am a new garad and am disgusted by any nurse who will sit and preach to a poor patient who is not aloud to go out and smoke while their close reak of the odor. I as a nurse and patient find the stench to be disgusting and repulsive these patients are nauseous enough without our help. If you must smoke shower afterwards. Try patches at work or the gum. Just don't bring that stentch into or around the hospitals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:uhoh21: :stone :uhoh3:

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Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.
I am a new garad and am disgusted by any nurse who will sit and preach to a poor patient who is not aloud to go out and smoke while their close reak of the odor. I as a nurse and patient find the stench to be disgusting and repulsive these patients are nauseous enough without our help. If you must smoke shower afterwards. Try patches at work or the gum. Just don't bring that stentch into or around the hospitals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:uhoh21: :stone :uhoh3:

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I smoke. I am a student, so it would be inappropriate for me to take extra breaks. In fact, I smoke at the beginning of my lunch break and go to the washroom and wash my hands before I even go back up on the unit. Do I still smell of cigarettes? Probably, but at least I try.

I wish I didn't smoke, but am weak and addicted so my attempts to quit thus far have been unsuccessful.

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I smoke. I am a student, so it would be inappropriate for me to take extra breaks. In fact, I smoke at the beginning of my lunch break and go to the washroom and wash my hands before I even go back up on the unit. Do I still smell of cigarettes? Probably, but at least I try.

I wish I didn't smoke, but am weak and addicted so my attempts to quit thus far have been unsuccessful.

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The point is if we judge nurse's professionalism by the habits (smoking), then why would we not judge them by how they portray themselves in print.

And why do you consider it rude? Would you rather go to court one day and see a blow up of your Charting in evidence with incorrect spellings and grammar? That would be embarassing beyond belief, but it frequently happens to nurses, and makes them look really unprofessional.

Very good points.

PS to smokers- carry a small spray bottle of Febreze around with you, and Eclipse gum. Use these in addition to a thorough hand-washing after smoking. They work wonders!

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The point is if we judge nurse's professionalism by the habits (smoking), then why would we not judge them by how they portray themselves in print.

And why do you consider it rude? Would you rather go to court one day and see a blow up of your Charting in evidence with incorrect spellings and grammar? That would be embarassing beyond belief, but it frequently happens to nurses, and makes them look really unprofessional.

Very good points.

PS to smokers- carry a small spray bottle of Febreze around with you, and Eclipse gum. Use these in addition to a thorough hand-washing after smoking. They work wonders!

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