Nicotine free policies

Published

  1. Does your facility have a nicotine free policy?

    • 3
      Yes, for both new hires and current employees
    • 3
      Yes, for new hires only
    • 0
      Not yet but they are talking about it
    • 6
      No
    • 0
      Never

12 members have participated

Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Open Heart OR Recovery, Etc.

Most, if not all, facilities these days have smoke free policies in place for employees, guests and patients. However, I was recently exploring the local healthcare facilities' job openings, and every one I found has actual nicotine free hiring policies. This means that even if one has quit and is using nicotine replacement therapy (patches, lozenges, gum, inhaler) they cannot get hired at that particular facility. I don't know if they actually test for that with the pre employment drug screens, but if they mention it as a specific exclusionary factor for hiring decisions there's a good chance they do a test specific for that.

Out of curiosity, does your facility have one of these policies? Is it for new hires only or is it facility wide?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Another thing that annoys me is that a lot of hospitals in my area now employ a "personality" test for new hires and if existing employees want to change jobs. No matter how qualified, competent, experienced or well liked, if you don't "pass" the test, you are automatically disqualified for hire or to change jobs. Just like the nicotine test, this one variable disqualifies you for a job with no regard to abilities. Seems like discrimination to me but both have been challenged in court and found to be legal. What's this world coming to???

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical care.

My facility is nicotine free. New hires are tested for nicotine during the prescreening. I don't know how it works with people that were working there before the policy took effect. I've never been tested since my prescreening.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Another thing that annoys me is that a lot of hospitals in my area now employ a "personality" test for new hires and if existing employees want to change jobs. No matter how qualified, competent, experienced or well liked, if you don't "pass" the test, you are automatically disqualified for hire or to change jobs. Just like the nicotine test, this one variable disqualifies you for a job with no regard to abilities. Seems like discrimination to me but both have been challenged in court and found to be legal. What's this world coming to???

I'm not sure I believe in those personality tests, but at my first nursing job, there was a definite difference in the nurses before and after it was put in place as a standard for hire.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm not sure I believe in those personality tests, but at my first nursing job, there was a definite difference in the nurses before and after it was put in place as a standard for hire.

Could you tell us more about the "definite differences" you noticed?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Could you tell us more about the "definite differences" you noticed?

...more assertive, direct and oddly more playful. Not necessarily "better", but more like-minded and cohesive as a group.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
...more assertive, direct and oddly more playful. Not necessarily "better", but more like-minded and cohesive as a group.

Very interesting! I thought you were going to say more passive, compliant, or maybe more "team oriented."

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Very interesting! I thought you were going to say more passive, compliant, or maybe more "team oriented."

You would think, right???

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Only one local hospital group is nicotine free. They test new employees. I'm not sure if they tested current ones as well or not. I almost wish my current employer was. My DON is never available to help because she's always outside chain smoking.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics, med surg, telephone triage.

Mine isn't but there is extra fee piled on to insurance for nicotine users. The facility would probably like to go nicotine free I'm sure. Already you have to go completely off the property (like down the road and across the street to smoke). Even at night with the weirdos out and about. Awesome.

I dont smoke anymore but I am completely against the whole nicotine discrimination thing. I don't think that it is appropriate at all, not until we are going to start monitoring people's weight, alcohol consumption, exercise level, risky behaviors, etc. The day that happens, I'm moving to the wilderness and off the grid.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion