ER GN Quitting Smoking - Any tips?

ItsThatJenGirl, CNA · May 29, 2017

I quit almost three years ago. I had been a pack a day smoker for 20 years.

Honestly, I just stopped. I woke up and told myself that I was done, and that was that. I know that probably doesn't help you, but your mind is a very powerful thing. I've never even had a craving and when I smell smoke now, it grosses me out. I wish I could give you the golden key that flipped the lock in my brain.

I'm sorry I can't help more, I just wanted to throw my support in and tell you that you CAN you do it. You're strong enough and you're worth quitting.

AlmostERnurse · May 30, 2017

I quit almost three years ago. I had been a pack a day smoker for 20 years.
Honestly, I just stopped. I woke up and told myself that I was done, and that was that. I know that probably doesn't help you, but your mind is a very powerful thing. I've never even had a craving and when I smell smoke now, it grosses me out. I wish I could give you the golden key that flipped the lock in my brain.
I'm sorry I can't help more, I just wanted to throw my support in and tell you that you CAN you do it. You're strong enough and you're worth quitting.

That is actually amazing! Congratulations! I have heard of others doing the same, but I got even more anxious when I read statistics of quitting cold turkey I saw it had a less than 10% success rate...

Your experience is inspiring and I will definitely be looking at your post again when the going gets tough. Mind over matter. Thanks for sharing.

ItsThatJenGirl, CNA · May 30, 2017

That is actually amazing! Congratulations! I have heard of others doing the same, but I got even more anxious when I read statistics of quitting cold turkey I saw it had a less than 10% success rate...
Your experience is inspiring and I will definitely be looking at your post again when the going gets tough. Mind over matter. Thanks for sharing.

My Mom did it with me, and she's been successful too. Try not to let the statistics discourage you.

If it helps at all, I have generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder. Quitting actually helped me feel more in control and less anxious. You don't realize how much of your life is controlled by smoking - you plan SO many things around your next cigarette without being cognizant of it. It felt like a huge weight off of my shoulders. And my bank account was really happy, too.

Ruas61, BSN, RN · May 30, 2017

You just quit and don't give in. Look at triggers- drinking or any mood altering substances or situations that cause you to smoke- AVOID them. Chew gum, chew straws, eat hard candy, suck on tic tacs.

I had a 2 pack, 20 year habit that I quit cold turkey but I had hit the wall with my brother passing from lung cancer and I got pneumonia after H1N1 flu and was sicker than ever and high on cough syrup for the detox. I fought the psychological parts for months afterward. I have 8 years this fall.

Good luck.

HermioneG, BSN, RN · May 30, 2017

Hello Allnurses!
I landed my dream job as a new grad (almost) nurse in a high volume ER at an amazing hospital As many hospitals do, I am required to have a nicotine metabolite blood test in 2 weeks. This post is not looking for insight about my stupidity for waiting to quit or about whether hospital nicotine testing is ethical. I decided to post about this because I am sure I am not the only nursing student/grad nurse/RN that has been in this situation and struggled. I am simply sharing my experience and looking to hear others experience/tips/words of encouragement.
Smokers tend to be viewed as second class citizens (from my personal experience) - and I get it. Smoking stinks (literally), gives you a crazy high risk of detrimental health issues, makes you age horribly, and on and on. Which is the reason I am completely embarrassed of my awful habit... most of my friends don't know that I smoke. I NEVER smoke around them and especially not before clinical or school.
I began social smoking at the young age of 15 - then up to about a pack per day at 20 years old. I'm now a few years short of 30. Before you judge me, let me tell you that picking up smoking was by far the most regrettable decision I've ever made. Unfortunately, I was a product of my environment. My childhood was not the best and I consider myself lucky to beat the odds and made it to where I am today. Not to say it's not my own dumb fault for giving into peer pressure or for not quitting sooner...
I know I'm an idiot for not quitting sooner. I knew from the get go that this day would come... addiction is a b*#%~ (pardon my French).
Not much in my life has ever come easy - whether it was from my own poor decision making, anxiety/depression issues, or struggling with ADHD. I know it is going to be difficult but I am incredibly determined to be an ER nurse. I have never been SO passionate about anything and know that the opportunity to be in my position is an incredibly lucky one - as finding a job as a new nurse is difficult in itself and ER is stupid competitive.
I am quitting smoking tomorrow as my set quit date. I have pretty fast metabolism and am planning to drink lots of water, eat lots of fruits/veggies in hopes of speeding up the process to rid my body of nicotine/continine. I am so scared that I will fail the test (again I understand it's nobody's fault but my own) and whether pass or fail I am committed to stay "clean" lol. I can't help but feel extremely anxious/terrified, yet excited to finally quit and live a life sans cigarettes.
How do you help your patients quit smoking? Or yourself/friends/family members? I am not a fan of nicotine replacement- it honestly did nothing for me in the past. Any success stories?
Thanks for reading and I hope you will share your thoughts below!

In my nursing health promotion class they told us that a good way to overcome cravings is to do a "two minute" rule. So when you feel a craving coming, tell yourself to wait two minutes and change the environment and do something else. Then two minutes more, etc. as needed. They said that a lot of the time environment, habits, and triggers can be very powerful and so if you recognize a craving coming and then change the environment and maybe chew on some gum, that it could be really helpful. We had a day where we had smokers (and people who quit smoking) come in and talk to us in small groups, and many people who quit said that they did this.

I don't know if it will help or not, but just in case I wanted to share. And you can do it!!! As Jen said, you're strong enough and you're worth it! And congrats of getting an awesome ER job :)

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · May 30, 2017

That is actually amazing! Congratulations! I have heard of others doing the same, but I got even more anxious when I read statistics of quitting cold turkey I saw it had a less than 10% success rate...
Your experience is inspiring and I will definitely be looking at your post again when the going gets tough. Mind over matter. Thanks for sharing.

I only smoked for 4 years, less than a pack a day. Started at the end of my teens...surprisingly late since I grew up in a household full of hardcore smokers. Heck, my younger sister started smoking at 13. How I made it so long without taking it up, I don't know.

Anyhow, I quit cold turkey--it was a spur-of-the-moment thing. It was Thanksgiving weekend. I was driving home and for some odd reason, I decided I was done with it, and threw out my cigarettes at a rest stop on the NJ Turnpike.

I will say that I was miserable for a month. I didn't crave cigarettes (my habit was pretty light), but I ate a lot of beef jerky because I was craving salt, and the better half-to-be bore a lot of my frustration. But after about a month, things were fine. I knew I was really over it when I found I couldn't stand the smell of cigarette smoke around me.

It's been nearly 20 years now.

And my 13-year old smoking sister? She ended up smoking for 20 years but she was able to successfully quit too. It's been about 5 years since she last did it. I think she tapered down and used nicotine replacement for a few months, but she did do it.

ItsThatJenGirl, CNA · May 30, 2017

My only warning - up your fiber intake and make sure you're drinking plenty of water. I had the worst time pooping after quitting. I wish someone had warned me about that.

AlmostERnurse · May 30, 2017

You just quit and don't give in. Look at triggers- drinking or any mood altering substances or situations that cause you to smoke- AVOID them. Chew gum, chew straws, eat hard candy, suck on tic tacs.
I had a 2 pack, 20 year habit that I quit cold turkey but I had hit the wall with my brother passing from lung cancer and I got pneumonia after H1N1 flu and was sicker than ever and high on cough syrup for the detox. I fought the psychological parts for months afterward. I have 8 years this fall.
Good luck.

I am so sorry to hear about your brother. Cancer sucks

I am happy for you that you were successful in quitting. I am going to buy lots of food/snacks/straws to keep me busy... Thanks for the advice and for sharing your story.

AlmostERnurse · May 30, 2017

In my nursing health promotion class they told us that a good way to overcome cravings is to do a "two minute" rule. So when you feel a craving coming, tell yourself to wait two minutes and change the environment and do something else. Then two minutes more, etc. as needed. They said that a lot of the time environment, habits, and triggers can be very powerful and so if you recognize a craving coming and then change the environment and maybe chew on some gum, that it could be really helpful. We had a day where we had smokers (and people who quit smoking) come in and talk to us in small groups, and many people who quit said that they did this.
I don't know if it will help or not, but just in case I wanted to share. And you can do it!!! As Jen said, you're strong enough and you're worth it! And congrats of getting an awesome ER job :)

Thanks for sharing! I will definitely try it out. I really appreciate your kind words!! Hopefully I will pass - please keep your fingers crossed for me!

AlmostERnurse · May 30, 2017

I only smoked for 4 years, less than a pack a day. Started at the end of my teens...surprisingly late since I grew up in a household full of hardcore smokers. Heck, my younger sister started smoking at 13. How I made it so long without taking it up, I don't know.
Anyhow, I quit cold turkey--it was a spur-of-the-moment thing. It was Thanksgiving weekend. I was driving home and for some odd reason, I decided I was done with it, and threw out my cigarettes at a rest stop on the NJ Turnpike.
I will say that I was miserable for a month. I didn't crave cigarettes (my habit was pretty light), but I ate a lot of beef jerky because I was craving salt, and the better half-to-be bore a lot of my frustration. But after about a month, things were fine. I knew I was really over it when I found I couldn't stand the smell of cigarette smoke around me.
It's been nearly 20 years now.
And my 13-year old smoking sister? She ended up smoking for 20 years but she was able to successfully quit too. It's been about 5 years since she last did it. I think she tapered down and used nicotine replacement for a few months, but she did do it.

That's great!! Congrats to you both :) I cannot wait for the day when smoke smells disgusting to me. It's really comforting to hear that I'm not alone... Thanks for telling your story!

AlmostERnurse · May 30, 2017

My only warning - up your fiber intake and make sure you're drinking plenty of water. I had the worst time pooping after quitting. I wish someone had warned me about that.

Good to know. I have never heard of that either! Adding fiber to my grocery list for tomorrow :)