Nicotine pre- employment testing

[Kansasmomandnurse]

Has anyone had either a negative or positive experience with nicotine/ Cotinine level testing when receiving an offer from St. Luke's in KC?

Are there other KC area hospitals that require this now as a condition of employment if anyone knows? Just curious- is this a good thing or no, in orher's opinions?

[klone, MSN, RN]

As far as smoking goes, it not illegal so the only reason I see for testing is related to insurance.

Conditions of employment. Many facilities are going completely nicotine free amongst employees.

I imagine they figure they will save money by not hiring nicotine users.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

As far as smoking goes, it not illegal so the only reason I see for testing is related to insurance. But sheesh, spending alot of $$$$ for testing does not make sense to me but hey, I don't smoke anymore so not a big deal for me.

It's not illegal; however, employers are free to exclude tobacco users from their employee pool.

[Crush]

Conditions of employment. Many facilities are going completely nicotine free amongst employees.

I imagine they figure they will save money by not hiring nicotine users.

I had never even heard of this happening. I mean our facility went 100% smoke free/tobacco free but to the best of my knowledge there has been no testing for nicotine. None of the new hires have mentioned it. Is this just in one particular state?

[Triddin]

I've never been tested for anything prior to starting a new job/ getting my license. Despite that I don't take anything, I still find it intrusive and unnecessary

[Beth1978]

Next up is BMI/blood glucose and cholesterol readings. Are we willing to sacrifice our protected health information to get a job? I am of normal weight, no health flags. But what is next???

[Sour Lemon]

Next up is BMI/blood glucose and cholesterol readings. Are we willing to sacrifice our protected health information to get a job? I am of normal weight, no health flags. But what is next???

I'm pretty sure I got tested for those by an employer eight years ago. That's not new. I can't quite remember what the point was, though ...I want to say it might have had to do with insurance rates, but I'm not sure.

[dream'n, BSN, RN]

Several employers in my area starting nicotine testing when the economy dropped around '08 and they had alot of surplus nurses applying for positions. I'm a smoker so I just didn't apply to those hospitals. I personally don't smoke on the way to or at work ever. I don't smoke after I put my scrubs on and I keep them in a closed bag immediately after washing. But I do this for my patient's comfort. So far I've never had trouble finding work and as far as I'm concerned, it's the testing hospitals loss. I'm a good nurse, a good employee, and have tons of experience. I figure the employers can do whatever they want, but I also have the right to pick who I will work for.

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Hi,

I am not a smoker, but I have worked at a place that did test and would not hire you if you were positive for nicotine.

I do wish more hospitals would do this as 1) I find co workers where I am now who smoke often take multiple breaks while everyone else is left to pick up there slack! 2) They stink when they come in and no patient or co-wroker wants to smell that! 3) I just think it looks gross to have staff members outside of a hospital smoking!

I have never smoked so I can't empathize with how hard it is to quit, and I do realize that it's not an easy thing, but I am totally disgusted by that habit and cannot even understand how people continue to do it as adults!

Annie

[maxthecat]

What if you don't smoke but you live with someone who does? I would think you would test positive since the smoke goes everywhere and it's impossible to shower,shampoo and launder enough to not get it on you. So are you out of the running for a job if you just are exposed to second hand smoke? (And don't even say this person should not be allowed to smoke around me--it's not happening!)

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

What if you don't smoke but you live with someone who does? I would think you would test positive since the smoke goes everywhere and it's impossible to shower,shampoo and launder enough to not get it on you. So are you out of the running for a job if you just are exposed to second hand smoke? (And don't even say this person should not be allowed to smoke around me--it's not happening!)

Good question, but it seems like you wouldn't test at high enough levels without directly consuming the nicotine. I don't believe it's a simply positive or negative test; there is threshold at and above which would indicate you are a smoker.

That said, I have no idea if I'm correct, but will be interested in hearing from someone who does know.

[klone, MSN, RN]

There are different thresholds of cotinine - it's generally accepted that passive/second-hand smoke would put you under a certain threshold.