Anyone quit smoking while in school?

colleennurse, ASN, RN · Jun 28, 2005

I quit this last April. I was a pack a day smoker for almost 13 years. I shouldn't say that I totally quit because I have abotu 1 a week, but that is a heck of a lot better than 20 a day. I just stopped one day. It was really cold one day and I had already stopped smoking inside my place, so I didn't want to go outside. I had made it to 5pm with no cigarette, so I thought to myself let's see if I can go 1 whole day without. I did! I just kept taking it day by day or even hour by hour. The 1st 10 days were the absolute worst. But now I think it would take something very traumatic for me to go out an buy a pack. When I do have one it is because I am hanging around someone who does smoke, but for the most part when I am not around it I don't think about it anymore. I run every morning now, that was something I could never do before. I leased a new car, now that I am saving 135$ a month, it's a good incentive for me not to start again . Plus I got really freaked out when I learned about cancer in school :) . And like you said I don't want to tell people that they need to quit when I reek like an ashtray. It does take a lot of will power, but if you tell yourself you can do it, thne you can....just like nursing school :) . I still want one and I don't think that will ever go away completely, it's an addiction. You can do it...take it one day at a time or if you have to....one minute at a time....It does get easier. You gotta try!

Someday-C.R.N.A. · Jun 28, 2005

I quit smoking this April also. (April 16, 22:30 :rolleyes: )

I wasn't in school at the time, but I am using the money I save to pay for school.

It was hard at first, and the 'mind games' are horrible for a while.

Now I rarely think about it, and the occasional "craving" I do get is more of a passing thought - no biggie. Sometimes, it even makes me kind of laugh.

I used a product to help me (link below), but all it does is help eliminate the nicotine quicker, thereby reducing your "heck week" troubles. (I found it helpful, your results may vary) ...Remember - YOU have to do the work. I wasn't sure if I would be able to do it, but I did!!.......You can too!! (Now I sound like an info-mercial! :chuckle )

BTW, I smoked 2, sometimes 3 packs a day, and smoked everyday since I was 12 or 13. (26 now).

Some links that I found useful:

http://www.whyquit.com - some interesting info, some you may already know, but some good positive encouragement.

http://www.smokeaway.com - You can click on the forum link on that page. There is some great info there, and if you want to join the forum, there are a lot of friendly, helpful people on there who are willing to help.

YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Good luck!

erica1978 · Jun 28, 2005

I recently quit smoking bc it was making me feel bad. The only thing that made it hard was habit. Certain times during the day, after eating, etc. I used the medium level nicotine patch. I didn't go the whole six weeks as they suggested. I think it is a ploy to get you to spend more money. The first week, the patch really helped me fight the cravings. There have been a few times when I have the urge to smoke: stress and anger but the desire goes away quickly. The first step is to want to quit and be determined. I have so much more energy which I will need when I start the nursing program this fall. Good luck and let me know your progress

nursingismydream · Jun 28, 2005

Well, I started Zyban this morning and am hoping it will help. Congratulations to you guys. I know this is going to be hard. But I want to quit so bad. Thank you!!

twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN · Jun 28, 2005

I quit cause I got pregnant in May. I used to smoke a pack a day when I was in the Army and quit, then started school and picked up the habit again. I was only smoking about 5 ciggies a day so it wasn't as hard as when I smoked a pack a day, but like a pp said, around those certain times I really wanted them. After about 2 weeks or so I felt better, stopped hacking all the time and my husband will kiss me now lol

twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN · Jun 28, 2005

Oh yeah, how did I do it. I just gave my ciggies to my Sil who smokes the same brand and tryed not to look back.

Siouxz2 · Nov 6, 2005

Our Hospital is going completely no smoking on the 17th. I decided to quit the week between OB/Peds and Psych, the day after our OB/Peds final. I figured that way the first week I won't have to worry about a test for a full week & all the stress that comes with that, etc.

Worked out quite well for me. If you're thinking about quitting, go for it!! You'll feel (and smell) a lot better, and just think of all the $$$ you'll save.

I tried http://www.quitnet.com. It was quite helpful to me.

AussieTina · Nov 6, 2005

Well, I started Zyban this morning and am hoping it will help. Congratulations to you guys. I know this is going to be hard. But I want to quit so bad. Thank you!!

I know how you feel! I also want to quit really badly, i smoke 40 a day and have for 20 yrs (started when i was 13). I have tried to lots of times but the cravings and withdrawls get me everytime :uhoh3: I also get really angry as part of the withdrawls which is not a good thing as i am a single mum with 4 kids.

How is the zyban working? i was thinking of going to the doc to get some. Just two more weeks of this year to go and then no more nursing school till march next year (apart from the one subject i am doing over the holidays, but that is externally) so this would be the perfect time to quit :rolleyes: , would make a great chrissy pressy to myself and the kids.

good luck !!!!

tina

speedykicks · Nov 6, 2005

My program has a lot of smoking cessation stuff interwoven through-out. We have an online elective we can take on it, plus seminar days when we go through a smoking cessation course to help us and to teach us how to help our patients. I don't smoke, but I think it is great. My partner does smoke, so I am going to use the info. to help her quit. We learned about smoking cessation when we studied respiratory stuff in Patho, we talked about it again when we learned about patient education in Fundamentals. They are very serious about it.

JentheRN05, RN · Nov 6, 2005

I tried to quit in school. That was a big mistake, made it only 18 hours before I realized I CANNOT THINK!

I quit once I graduated, started up again waiting on boards! Stupid stupid stupid. I WILL quit again, but it has to be when I'm ready.

Paleobug · Nov 6, 2005

When I started nursing school a year ago, I would get stressed out and smoke a lot. However, I quit last July. I just did it cold turkey, with no patches or anything. The downsided is that, at least for me, I gained 20 pounds.