Breaks

FL_Nurse92 · Nov 4, 2015

Although I don't believe nonsmokers should take a longer break, it almost makes sense for a smoker to have to clock out. It's just like insurance. I know for the insurance I have, smokers pay more for coverage. It's an attempt to stop your smoking. There are so many other ways to relive stress besides lung cancer... I mean smoking. I don't see it as discrimination, but then again it is not me in the situation. We get a 30 minute lunch break (which everyone, smoker or non smoker clocks out for), we also may have to 15 minute breaks that we are not required to clock out for. Nursing is a stressful career but I things such as working out, meditation, music, reading can all be stress relievers (although those cannot be done on the job). On the job more than likely you will be stressed and there will be nothing you can do about it. I personally believe we, as nurses, should should live out a life we preach to our patients. Too often we harp on our patients for smoking, obesity, ect. but we go home and do the very thing we ridiculed our patient for doing. Sorry for the rant but if you do not agree with the way your breaks are set up, talk to your manager or go to another hospital that suits you break needs.

iluvivt, BSN, RN · Nov 4, 2015

You can't split your 30 min unpaid break. On this 30 minute break, you can leave the premises and do whatever you want! On the other paid breaks you cannot leave the premises, should you be needed since it is a paid break. You need to look up the labor law because you are probably not going to win this one! Take your full 30-minute break..smoke and eat and then take your other break but you can't go off the premise even if is is only 50 feet away. If they know this about you then they will likely be watching and is it really worth losing your job over.

Ruas61, BSN, RN · Nov 8, 2015

Making smokers clock out,when not applied to others, may go against the labor laws like the prior poster said.

The loophole may be you leaving the building proper but I would think others go outside for air.

If you need nicotine that badly still during your shift, than gum or a lozenge may need to suffice you.

No matter when you chose to quit, it is not going to be easy. You just need to be at the place in your head and life to do it. Hopefully you will reach that day.

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Nov 10, 2015

Nonsmokers should not be taking more time on their lunch. You should be taking the full time allotted to you. If you take 20 minutes to smoke, relax the other ten. If nonsmokers are taking forty minute lunches and are not clocking out for them, they are potentially stealing time for the agency. If they are relying on auto deduction, you could argue that it is a lunch plus a break which you should be entitled to two breaks and a lunch yourself.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2015

I feel discriminated against.

Unfortunately, certain groups of people such as cigarette smokers and the obese are not categorized as protected classes of individuals. It is what it is...

poppycat, ADN, BSN · Dec 1, 2015

First of all, the OP is not getting only 20 minutes for break. She/he is clocked out for 30 minutes. The fact that 10 of those minutes are spent walking to & from the smoking area is her/his choice.

Second, I have absolutely no sympathy for people who smoke & claim they're treated unfairly. I think it's extremely unfair that I have COPD from growing up with parents who were chain smokers. I have never touched a cigarette in my life but I'm being punished for their actions. Life isn't fair. If you don't like being treated differently than no smokers, stop smoking.