Smokers in Nursing School--How Are You Treated?

[SarahMaria, MSN, RN]

I am a smoker (I know, I know), and I am in my third semester of nursing school. Often, especially at clinicals, my fellow smokers and I are looked upon as common criminals. Always, there is some sort of smoking ban on hospital property, therefore, we pariahs must go to a designated location which is usually far away, across the street, in a dangerous neighborhood. Is anyone else feeling like a leper for engaging in a legal activity?

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

This is the way it is in many states. Since this is the law, what's the problem?

[sharpeimom]

your right to smoke ends where my fresh unadulterated air begins!

[favthing, APRN]

We recently got an email from our nursing dean that a local hospital (huge system in our community) will not hire smokers as of a given date (I think Jan). No need even apply.

I really feel for smokers, as nicotine (and the stuff they put in cigarettes) must be horribly addictive. A lot of people live by the adage, though, "...as long as you don't hurt others", but cigarette smoke DOES hurt others!

[LovebugLPN]

When I was in school the smokers weren't even allowed to smoke when they were in uniform. It didn't bother me since I didn't smoke but we had a lot of unhappy people.

[Boog'sCRRN246, RN]

You're allowed to take smoke breaks during clinicals??

[2ndyearstudent, CNA]

I am a smoker (I know, I know), and I am in my third semester of nursing school. Often, especially at clinicals, my fellow smokers and I are looked upon as common criminals. Always, there is some sort of smoking ban on hospital property, therefore, we pariahs must go to a designated location which is usually far away, across the street, in a dangerous neighborhood. Is anyone else feeling like a leper for engaging in a legal activity?

How exactly are you looked upon as a criminal, leper, or pariah? You are being asked to smoke in an area away from people so your perfectly legal activity does not affect others.

I like to drink beer. It is also a legal activity but the fact that I cannot engage in it whereever and whenever I want does not make me some kind of martyr.

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

If you get smoke breaks I demand fresh air breaks.

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

It's funny how society managed to move smokers outside (for good reason) and have since managed to move them XXX many yards from any building. It will get to the point where you won't be able to smoke anywhere but in your own back yard, so get ready.

I don't disagree with banning smoking right next to doors as people are coming in and out and have to walk through a wall of smoke. Smoke gets inside and it's generally problematic all around, ESPECIALLY at a hospital. One would expect a health establishment not to have smokers hanging around the front doors sucking up smoke on their breaks.

Now if a smoker wants to go sit in his or her car- well- that's should be their own choice since it is their car, their property. But then of course you have the issue of going back to work and taking care of patients smelling of stale smoke. Yuck.

Folks, I smoked for 14 years so I can totally understand the addiction. But the population of smokers is decreasing more and more every year so the 'discrimination' (I use that word lightly) is only going to get worse. So if you plan to continue smoking, realize that you are going to face backlash, especially as a health care worker.

I'd also like to tell all of you smokers who believe quitting is hard.. it's really NOT hard if you make the choice to quit. You have to be willing to say, "this is the last time I'm going to smoke again for the rest of my life" and believe it. If you can do that, it's a breeze. You'll withdraw for a few days but after that you're in the home stretch. You'll still think about it sometimes but it won't be enough for you to start back up. For me, I have smoking dreams. I dream I've started smoking again and I get so mad at myself for starting back up. Then I wake up and I'm relieved it was just a bad dream! The dreams keep me from ever wanting to light up again. lol

[oklahomagal]

Yeah as a non smoker I have always been jealous of smokers getting smoke breaks while I am still working... LOL I too need a fresh air break!! :-)

However when I was younger I did smoke and I always tried to be respectful of others when I did it.. The things that many smokers dont realize is that yes your smoke does bother people when your to close to them. Our school policy is that they have to stay 20 feet away from all entrances... no place in particular designated. I have walked on campus before and realized that I was walking into someones smoke cloud and it was already to late to avoid it. Then I had to spend the rest of the afternoon smelling it on myself. Ugh.

I really dont mind people smoking it is their perogative, but I really like the designated areas for it. Cig smoke now causes me to get migraine headaches and nausea. Please keep that in mind when your going some place to smoke, it is for others health and you are becoming a health care provider, so you should be doing the best you can to promote others well being.

[oklahomagal]

For me, I have smoking dreams. I dream I've started smoking again and I get so mad at myself for starting back up. Then I wake up and I'm relieved it was just a bad dream! The dreams keep me from ever wanting to light up again. lol

Just one night out with my friends and having to smell all that smoke does it for me!! Washing my clothes the next day... UGH....

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

Just one night out with my friends and having to smell all that smoke does it for me!! Washing my clothes the next day... UGH....

That's a pretty good motivator too! =)