Employment drug screen to include nicotine

[originalred]

Is there a hospital in Dallas that refuses to hire nurses that test positive for nicotine? Im all for not smoking but as a term of employment?? Where will it stop? Elevated Cholesterol... Genetic screening... Its getting out of hand. Or is it just me?

[linearthinker, DNP, RN]

Does no one use a search function before posting?

[diva rn, BSN, RN]

Obviously not, ho hum.....

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

Does no one use a search function before posting?

I understand what you're asking. I did a search just a few minutes ago, but the threads were months old. Some were YEARS old.

Sometimes you just want to argue with somebody in real time.

[woahmelly]

Imo, it is NOT getting out of hand. As someone mentioned earlier, nicotine is addictive and smoking is responsible for millions of deaths. Here's a couple of thing to look at, when u smoke ur not just hurting yourself, but everyone around you breathing the same air. You shouldn't get to make that decision for other ppl. Next, no smoker I know can make it through a 12 hour shift without a smoke break. Hospitals are businesses and they are not gonna pay you to go outside all the time to slowly kill urself.

Maybe a person doesn't need/want/have time take a smoke break at work, but at that point they're interfering with a choice off the clock. A choice which, as far as I'm aware is legal to make. They haven't outlawed it yet.

[linearthinker, DNP, RN]

I understand what you're asking. I did a search just a few minutes ago, but the threads were months old. Some were YEARS old.

Sometimes you just want to argue with somebody in real time.

Well, why didn't you just say so? I'll argue with you. But pick something else please, I'm sick of this one.

[Guest219794]

im sure your eating a double bacon cheeseburger as you read this. I wonder if they will fire me for speeding a little on the way to work when im on call. Does your family have a history of cvd or diabetes?? ur next as we promote health. Do u wear sunblock? skin cancer is a health risk. Are ur tires properly inflated? health risk... just saying. And ur right.. the company has obligations but where do they draw the line?[/quote]

Well, right now they draw the line at smoking.

And- they probaly won't fire you for speeding on the way to work. On the other hand, if a big part of your job was to educate people on the importance of safe driving, that would be a different story. If you applied to my driving school and I know you drive recklessly, I am probably not going to hire you.

As far as your implied question, " what's next?", I am going to guess it's obesity. For a huge percentage of patients, obesity is a factor in their DM, heart disease, breathing problems, back problems, arthitis, etc. When an obese nurse"educates" them on diet, what kind of message do you suppose they are getting?

Regarding your other questions:

I usually wear sunblock.

My family has a hx of heart disease.

My tires are properly inflated.

I had a big plate of fatty BBQ pork ribs for dinner.

If at some point my place of work bans rib eating, I guess I'll have a decision to make. If they are really stringent, the law of supply and demand dictates that they will have to pay more. I'll skip the ribs, take the raise, and buy tofu.

[Guest219794]

Maybe a person doesn't need/want/have time take a smoke break at work, but at that point they're interfering with a choice off the clock. A choice which, as far as I'm aware is legal to make. They haven't outlawed it yet.

All kinds of bad choices are legal. This means smokers won't get arrested.

It does not mean that health care institutions are required to hire them.

[kcmylorn]

The rights you deny some one today, may be your right denied tomorrow.!! Bacon double cheese burger, reckless driving, procreation and maternity leave, wine sipping after hours., facebook, these threads Think about it. . Just saying

[woahmelly]

All kinds of bad choices are legal. This means smokers won't get arrested.

It does not mean that health care institutions are required to hire them.

No it doesn't. You're right. As private businesses they are entitled to refuse to hire whomever they wish within the constraints of law. I, personally oppose this particulat practice, but hey. Whatever. I still think the policies are crap.

[Guest219794]

The rights you deny some one today, may be your right denied tomorrow.!! Bacon double cheese burger, reckless driving, procreation and maternity leave, wine sipping after hours., facebook, these threads Think about it. . Just saying

I guess I missed it. Who took away your rights? Stick one in your mouth, one in each nostril, and eat a peanut butter and cigarette sandwich- it's your right. The hospital is going to exercise its right to not hire you.

[iLOVEbees]

I don't have a problem with it at all. Hospitals are private employers and they can choose to hire people based on whatever criteria they determine.