how long until nicotine and byproducts are flushed from your system?

[ashleyisawesome]

Hello. I am a nursing student trying to get a job at the hospital that my school is affiliated with as a tech, but they do a pre employment drug/nicotine screening. Im not worried about the illegal drugs part, but I quit smoking cigarettes 3 weeks ago in hopes that I will be able to get a job there, but I am worried. Ive read different things, some say that it can be out of your system in 3 days, some say 30+. Anyone know for sure? Is it stored in fat cells? Any info would be great.

And please, no lecturing me about smoking, I QUIT finally okay? lol.

[LegzRN]

haha bingo... how'd you know?

anyway it says right in their statement the test will detect nicotine from patches, gum etc... they are not lenient on the subject, if your test is positive you are not hired, and you can reapply in 6 months. i mean i am jumping the gun here, i havent even gotten a call back yet, so if and when i do i am hoping enough time will have passed to eradicate any traces.. thanks everyone for your info!

I work at a facility not far from St. Luke's, but I read about this issue maybe a year ago and it always makes for an interesting debate at work. I also brought it up in one of my graduate classes and it got a good conversation going. Anyway, the metabolite they are testing for is cotinine and it has a 20 hour half life and is detectable in blood for up to and including a week after the last tobacco product. If you're a big smoker, it could last longer. In hair, it remains detectable until you shave it all off :)

Source: http://journals.lww.com/drug-monitoring/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=2009&issue=02000&article=00003&type=abstract

[Old.Timer]

I totally agree with this statement.... Smokers aren't a protected class.... but neither is obesity.... and employers can be sued for discriminating on that aspect. I see no real difference between the two. Both are detrimental to your health, and both cause increased insurance rates. Also I agree with your second statement about facilities taking the middle ground.... no problem there.... the people who choose to smoke, are making a choice which will affect their health and their insurance rates should reflect that. However it should not affect whether or not they are hireable.

I think their official stance is that there are studies that now confirm the toxicity of third hand smoke. In that regard, smoking is different from other poor lifestyle choices such as obesity, poor nutrition, lack of exercise, risky behaviors etc....those do not directly impact the health of others, ie patients; they just usually result in increased claims and thus, ultimately premiums for the group. That's my understanding.

I agree with whomever said how miserable it is to be a smoker nowadays. I only finally quit when my back was truly against the wall, ten plus years ago. Today, I'm far more appreciative that I don't have to deal with the stigma of being smoker vs the health benefits I've received by not smoking. I think the stigma is that bad. I feel for those still smoking - quitting is not at all easy.