CNA'S suffer second hand smoke

[nurseblob]

At my LTC facility, the CNA's are REQUIRED to supervise residents who smoke, as part of their job. The admin. say to send someone else if a person doesn't want to go, but there never is anyone else to send. I feel so bad that many of them have never smoked, and are forced to inhale cig. smoke for their freakin job! Does anyone know if employees have any say in this matter?

[JenniferSews]

Sounds like a good arguement for a smoke free facility. Patients can't smoke at our facility.

[evolvingrn, BSN, RN]

We are a smoke free facility, if pts want to smoke pts have to go with their own family to the street.

[Nursecox]

Well honestly I think Residents/Patients should have the right to consume cigs its there choice and they have free will just like me and you...... ask someone who smokes to take them ?

[LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN]

Depends on what state you are in. In Oregon there is a law that no employess can be exposed to second hand smoke ( no smoking in bars either) I work in a smoke free facility and have a resident who smokes, we are not responsible for her, her family has to come, get the cigs from the nurse and take her across the street and then sign her back in when she is done

[Chin up]

I see this practice all the time, in most facilities in the Boston area. And although I believe residents in LTC should be able to smoke (this is their home) I don't think a non smoker should be responsible, unless they want to be. I have always felt for the CNA's going out in the cold, rain, snow and inhaling smoke they are so against. Unfortunately, although I have a big mouth, I have no power. My suggestions to management have always been blown off. I have told these CNA's to band together and speak up, but most are afraid for their jobs. There has to be a better way, any suggestions would be appreciated. I will continue to speak up in my small sphere of influence, but you non smokers have to let it be known, you will not subject yourselves to this anymore. Peace!

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

I know I am in Canada but my facility has a smoke room for the clients but they have to pass certain criteria and if they don't the family has to take them they are told the staff will not

[Mulan]

I remember the nurses having to smoke patients years ago at a chronic disease hospital in CT.

Smoke them, having to stand there and hold the cigarette for those that couldn't hold it themselves.

I remember being reprimanded by a supervisor, Mr so and so wants to smoke and get in there and smoke him.

I thought that was a thing of the past.

I guess not.

[dinah77, ADN]

Sorry, this is crap- free will blah blah blah. I have had pts that are chronic alcoholics and would love to drink all day- perhaps we should help them do that too- or are recovering addicts- shall we help them shoot up or smoke their drug of choice in "their home" too? After all, they would if they were in their actual homes and not in a facilty

[cna23]

Our residents do smoke outside. Usually another CNA who smokes goes out with them

[fuzzywuzzy, CNA]

We don't have many residents who smoke but I have been told a few times that I have to go out and supervise, and I refuse. There is plenty of other staff around that smoke.

[ajhill00]

Well, if none of the CNA's smoke, then they should hire a CNA that smokes, that should take care of that.