Nicotine Test

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Specializes in Hospice.

I'm not sure if this has been brought up or not and I'm curious if other hospitals do this........

There is a hospital in South Georgia that if you are a new hire they do a test, blood, to see if you have nicotine in your system. If you do they will not hire you and offer for you to come back and re-test in 30 days.

My husband smokes and he works there as an agency nurse, wehen we are between assignments, so is by-passed.

Anyone know if any other hospitals do this?

If so, how is this legal. I understand smoke-free facilities and policies, but as far as I know smoking is not illegal.

Let me hear you take on this.

Nurse Dianne:typing

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Hi. I am in highschool and so I do not know anything regardng the legality of the issue. My question is, is nicotine received by second-hand smoking? My mother smokes, so I am always breathing in her smoke. Is nicotine in my blood system, or do I have to be physically smoking to get the nicotine?

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Specializes in Hospice.

I'm sure there has to be a certain level in your blood before they call is positive. I"m just not sure what that cut off would be.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Home Health.

omg, what is this world coming to! I smoke, I wish I didnt, I wish I could quit. But to be refused a job because of it? Come on. Even if they are a smoke-free facility, it is my right to smoke when Im off duty in my own home....which would result in a positive nicotine test. Thats rediculous.

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omg, what is this world coming to! I smoke, I wish I didnt, I wish I could quit. But to be refused a job because of it? Come on. Even if they are a smoke-free facility, it is my right to smoke when Im off duty in my own home....which would result in a positive nicotine test. Thats rediculous.

I could say the same thing about marijuana...

A lot of places are doing this, I think it has been found to be legal so far, haven't heard about it in awhile though...

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.
I could say the same thing about marijuana...

A lot of places are doing this, I think it has been found to be legal so far, haven't heard about it in awhile though...

Except, of course, that marijuana possession and use is a crime, and smoking cigarettes is not. So, you could say that, but it'd be ridiculous, so you probably shouldn't.

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Specializes in Brain Injury Rehabilitation.

I used to smoke, have been free for four years, so I can understand all aspects. BUT, come on. That is taking it too far if you ask me. I can understand asking employees not to smoke while working-to keep the smell down for a patient's sake (like with close patient contact, they can't smoke...), but outside of that, I don't agree. Odd.

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, PACU, Travel nursing.

I am surprised that this is legal..........I mean I do not smoke, but if there is no law against smoking, then that almost seems like discrimination. I could understand paying a higher insurance premium, but not hiring some one because they smoke cigarettes??

Whats next, not hiring people with a BMI>25, genetic predisposition to heart disease, or who have minor chronic health problems??

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Except, of course, that marijuana possession and use is a crime, and smoking cigarettes is not. So, you could say that, but it'd be ridiculous, so you probably shouldn't.

YEs, it is a crime, but that is irrelevant... The case has already been made that people can be tested and punished for something in their blood that at the time of testing has no effect on the person's faculties...

It was only a matter of time...

Besides, if you have alcohol, which is also legal, in your blood, even if you aren't legally drunk I am sure your job would not be to pleased...

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Specializes in med/surg, psych, public health.

A hospital I used to work at has this policy. I'm a non-smoker and therefore wasn't worried about the nicotine testing. Out of curiosity, I did ask the Dr. doing my pre-hire physical & drug screening how this policy was not considered discriminatory and he stated that it would be considered discrimination, "If we only tested a few individuals, but we test EVERYBODY and therefore it's legal."

But here's the irony...one day I had an RN ask me to cover the nurses station for a few minutes while she stepped outside in a little pathway to smoke! When I asked her how did she pass the random nicotine/drug screenings, she replied, "I'm a traveler and travelers are under a different contract and are not tested for nicotine."

This hospital was also a non-smoking campus and if patients wanted to smoke, they could not be transported or assisted by any means to be outside to smoke; they were always told, "This is a non-smoking campus and there's no outside ashtrays." If they absolutely insisted on smoking, they were were signed out AMA!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Acute Dialysis.

Dianne,

I know exactly where you are talking about and that is one of the primary reasons I am an employee at "the other" hospital in town. I myself believe it is completely asinine. I actually know a nurse who wrote the ACLU about it but I'm not sure of whatever came of it. Here's my :twocents: I can understand nicotine testing for insurance purposes, heck charge a higher premium I don't care. We are all aware of the risks associated with smoking, but to dictate what I can and cannot do in my off time (which is legal) is a violation of my personal rights. I would be much more of a hazard coming to work hungover from binge drinking....and yes I have seen nurses who do this....than if I smoke a cigarette:smokin: before showering and coming to work! Are they going to start testing the physicians too....I this ETOH testing them would probably surprise some people:chuckle

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It all boils down to At-Will Employment states.

An employer can fire you for pretty much any reason except those protected by law. Smoking is not protected...

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