Nicotine testing question

[nursing81student]

Okay, I feel very silly posting this but it's something that is on my mind and Google is surprisingly no help for me on this...so maybe someone out there can give me some information or lead me in the right direction.

I am a BSN student, a PCT, and in the process of transferring into a Nurse Tech role. I have accepted one job offer and will be starting soon. However, I recently interviewed for my dream position with a different health system...a Nurse Tech in the ED of an urban city hospital near where I live known for having the most trauma in the state. The interview went well, and I am hoping I will getting the offer soon...fingers crossed!

Anyway, a lot of hospitals in my area are going nicotine free and testing new hires. I just noticed on this particular health system's website today that they will be starting this policy in the beginning of July...the first I have heard of this. Now, I do not smoke, but randomly yesterday my friend bought clove cigars..and I was curious and took approximately 3-4 puffs without inhaling.

I have read that nicotine metabolites can be present in urine even after 30 days, and the testing accounts for low levels of nicotine d/t secondhand smoke... but did my 3-4 puffs of a cigar just ruin my chances of getting hired?

I am a worry wart and this will bother me until I find more information. Thank you!

[Pneumothorax, BSN, RN]

I think you will be fine however your post did surprise me, I have never heard of a healthcare facility testing for nicotine before and I am having a hard time understanding why they would. Nicotine is not an illegal substance. What if a potential employee has quit using tobacco and is using nicotine gum, lozenges, or the patch; does that mean they would not be hired? .... anyway, good luck! I hope you get your dream position!:)

The hospital that I got my job offer from and a few more in the area are nicotine free. Which I think is great, bc yes I understand that it is an addiction and hard to kick but it's hard to take a nurse seriously who's doing teaching on pulmonary health who reeks ya know? Also I think it helps keep the group insurance premiums low as well!

[NUNurse007, BSN]

I respect that ... I can't teach or advise on smoking if I smell like smoke ...but what if I don't EVER smoke at work ..or before smoke or at breaks .. I only smoke when Im at home and on my own time .. Tell me how that makes a difference for my patients or my co-workers ...the only difference it makes is for the hospital saving money on premiums in which I do not see savings being passed on to me or anyone ... Its legal ... Do you know how many nurses I knew on Vicodin during work hours?? I think that would impair your judgement ..Cigarettes don't and especially if your not even using them at work.