Nursing and smoking....can it hinder your career?

[Juryizout]

Hey, guys. I just got the new issue of Nursing Made Incredibly Easy and it contained an article, "Warning! Smoking may be hazardous to your career!" regarding nurses who smoke. Have any of you that are in a hiring position ever decided NOT to hire a nurse because she smokes? Do hospitals routinely test for nicotine when someone is going through the interview process? I know they test for illegal substances, but was just putting the questions out there.

Thanks for your responses!

[Altra, BSN, RN]

Some employers (in all fields, not just hospitals) do indeed not hire those who test positive for nicotine. It is their right to do so.

OT, but ... I so despise the title of that series of publications, as well as the cartoon graphics. Visually, it's about on par with Highlights for Children - a monthly mag of puzzles and games aimed at kids under 12.

[Perpetual Student]

My system tests for nicotine in new employees. I think it's pretty lame to rule out candidates who're trying to quit and are using patches or gum as an adjunct, but I suppose it's easier than trying to find out if someone's lying about their source of nicotine.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

It's a tight market and yes they are doing it. This subject has been discussed many times at AN....AN has a search for the site.....this gives you many results and opinions on the subject for leisure reading in your spare time...

Google Search Results for drug screen for nicotine

[tojal1989]

It seems my hospital believes in this.. no smokers will be hired after Jan 1, 2012!

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

Bottom line, smokers have more health problems and end up costing the employer more for health insurance premiums and in replacing you when you are out.

[Seas]

Also nobody will want their patients to complain because the smoking employee's hands, breath and clothes stink after smoking. Smokers may not feel this, but unfortunately the smoke smell is very bothersome for non-smokers, let alone for the sick people.

Yes, small portion of smokers won't smoke before and during work; that's a different case.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Although I disagree with the posters you have your answer.....yes the can and do discriminate. My personal feeling is that what I do legally on my private time is NO ONES business. But we live in a mostly policed state these days.

[RNperdiem, RN]

Smoking can cause problems even after you get hired.

If you can go 12hrs or more without a smoke break, then fine, otherwise you will need to find time during the day,(lunch?)have other nurses watch your patients and take the long walk beyond the borders of where the hospital is declared smoke free(no more smoking at the loading dock).

If you work with non-smokers, you might build resentment. "Where is Sue? Off on smoke break again."

[anotherone, BSN, RN]

Many very large hospitals in my state do not hire smokers and advertise this often.

[aachavez]

I really wonder if there can be some legal troubles for companies not hiring someone because of cigarette smoking. A few years ago, I tried to apply at at PD/EMS dispatch center, and they wouldnt accept an application from someone who hasnt been smoke free for at least a year.

I recently worked at a call center for several years, many of my coworkers were smokers. The smokers always took longer and more frequent smoke breaks, while those of us who didn't smoke wouldn't take breaks becuase it was too busy with all the incoming calls. It was so beyond irritating, RNperdiem is absolutly right, there was definetly resentment there from people who had to pick up the slack.

I'm in school now, and we were warned at orientation that if we were ever caught smoking while in uniform (on campus, at clinical or anywhere else) it's immediate termination from the program. When we do start clinicals, we do submit to a drug screen, and all hospitals in this area (Tampa) are screening for nicotine as well.

A few times, I've been with my mom, and we've seen healthcare workers outside on a smoke break, and she always says something like, they're supposed to be promoting health!!! But they smell gross!!! I totally agree... I would not want to be laid up in a hospital bed, feeling awful already, and then have to be subjected to that smell, so I guess I'm 'for' hospitals banning nicotine.

But I still wonder how legal it is....

[GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

unquestionably, i have to come clean on this one, many moons ago, while working the 3rd shift, most every medical staff yes including the doctors did smoke on their break. however, i quit on my own, and haven't looked back. having said that, the facility where i work doesn't hire smokers, plus the facility is known for being a "non smoking facility".