Nurses and smoking

Nurses General Nursing

Published

  1. Is it ok for nurses and doctors to smoke?

    • 280
      Yes, Its their body.
    • 192
      No, its not very professional.
    • 54
      Other, explain

462 members have participated

Do you think it is ok if a nurse or a doctor smokes? Because i know when i go to the doctors office with my boyfriend and he tells him that he smokes that he gos on and on of how he shouldnt be smoking at all. But then we go outside and see nurses smoking and such!! So what do you guys think?

Specializes in Critical Care, Cardiothoracics, VADs.
But then,who am i to tell someone that if that is what they want to do, then so be it. They just need to realize that if they don't quit that they too might be someones patient someday.

They don't "want" to most of the time, they are addicted to nicotine. Do you think they don't KNOW it's unhealthy? Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances known to man.

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Specializes in LTC.

I am a smoker also, and I only smoke on my breaks and at lunchtime. I can understand how nonsmokers and others feel about watching a smokers pts. that is sneekin' out for a quick smoke and I would never ask a fello worker to do this but,,, in turn it really bugs me when a fello worker wants to duck outside to use her cell to call a friend or "guy", or to take a personal call. That really bugs me....

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Specializes in LTC.

:trout:

Second hand smoke is the reason a nonsmoker has the right to harass someone smoking. :p
Sorry but that only gives you the right to voice an opinion, this in no way gives you the right to HARRASS anyone. As a smoker I would tell you that you didn't buy them so shutup and get on with your life.
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Specializes in LTC.
:lol2:
I wish that I was as erudite as you and I wish that I had all the answers as cynically put as you however I don't. I do however have respect for others and the choices that they make in life. I understand the reasons nurses and doctors smoke, you may or may not understand but that is a moot point as you have made you position quite clear in those respects. Maybe in your life you have not held a companion who is dying from one of mans nastier habits in your arms on a battlefield unfortunately I have. Maybe you haven't spent 24 hours working in surgery taking care of victems of mans other nasty habits such as drunkeness again I have. Maybe you live a perfect life in a perfect world where there is no stress I unfortunately don't. I smoke, I don't offer cigarettes to newborns, toddlers, or underage minors. I don't smoke if someone asks me not to and I don't find a high soapbox to espouse my rights regardless of the efforts of you and others like you. I do however find a modicum of happiness in a cigarette on a break or with a fine shot of scotch. This is my right as your complaining about smokers is your right. Until cigarettes are illegal I will smoke. I also work out 4 to 5 times a week and counsel my children about the dangers of smoking. If you are as you state so forcefully in favour of clean air, why not tell your congressman to replace coal fired generators, lobby for cleaner automobiles, and our factory stacks which bless us with acid rain. Smokers are a convienent target for anti's because as another mentioned its always the children. Do you pontificate as loudly against child abuse, spousal abuse, child Media etc... If you do my hat is off to you, if you don't then you are missing many avenues that could save and protect far more children then my Camel Wide Full Flavour ever harmed. Finally I find your attitude towards people who are not the barbie and ken image of anorexic america offensive and demeaning to all nurses and people in general. I am not a judeo christian but remember in your bible a warning from Christ that states do not try and remove the mote from your neighbors eye before removing he log from your own. :rolleyes:
:lol2: :lol2: THANK YOU enough said...
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As health care professionals we are suppose to educate our pt. about the health risk associated with smoking;if we do it why should our pt's not do it, why should they listen to us. Are we immune from illness because we are health care professionals.

"Practise what we preach."

:confused:

What about all the overweight nurses who are supposed to educate their patients on diet and exercise but clearly do not "practice what they preach"?

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

I love this topic! Apparently, one simply needs to be a non-smoker to be a good nurse. All of my efforts to learn my job are wasted because I smoke, right? Passing the CEN and CCRN exams means nothing since I smoke. Guess what, my patients could care less if I smoke. They are real happy with my care because they can tell that I know what I am doing and I treat them the way I would want to be treated. I have never been accused of being unprofessional before. Thanks, RN 4 U. By the way, it's c-o-n-t-r-a-d-i-c-t-i-o-n (you misspelled it twice). Some people actually think spelling and grammar are a more important indicator of professionalism.

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That is just a contradictory statement to pts that are being told by them that they need to stop.

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Specializes in Emergency Room, Cardiology, Medicine.

How can an MD/RN expect a positive response from a patient while teaching them on smoking cessation when he/she reeks of smoke? A patient told me that once when I was a student nurse and it absolutely boggled my mind. I think we have images to portay, ones of health. Why listen to a dentist with bad teeth? A personal trainer who's out of shape?

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I think all nurses wishes they did not smoke. Not because we are nurses, but because it is an addiction that has a control on our lives. We know the risks, and that is scary, but at the same time reassuring. We are better prepared for the enevitable. But, playing devil's advocate, is there anyone really prepared for their own death and suffering?

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Specializes in none yet.
They don't "want" to most of the time, they are addicted to nicotine. Do you think they don't KNOW it's unhealthy? Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances known to man.

It is a personal choice like so many other nurses have stated, even though they are addicted they made an informed decision to become addicted, they knew that it was addicting so why start a habit you know you will have a hard time quitting. Just don't make good sense to me.

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Specializes in ER/Geriatrics.

Smoking is unacceptable...I am glad where I work they are making it very very difficult for staff and patients to smoke...they are making it very very easy to quit though....free nicotine products and conselling.

Liz

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Specializes in midwifery, NICU.
What about all the overweight nurses who are supposed to educate their patients on diet and exercise but clearly do not "practice what they preach"?

:idea: MMM Chocolate or Ciggies?:bugeyes: Chocolate in work, (we get loads free) but i am so bad, don't have chocs outside work, but do have a few ciggies! i know how bad it is, but after being at work from 07.00-20.00, I go outside the gates in my own car and enjoy just one! destress for the half hour drive home, and boy , do I enjoy it. But during my working hours, I don't think about it, and it's a long day or night! Back to the Chocolate!!!!!

Oh btw, i am a bl**dy good nurse, even if I admit to "doing" chocolate at work and Ciggies out of it!

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