Nurses who smoke?

Not a nurse YET, but I absolutely do NOT think that any facility existing for healthcare should have to accomodate smokers. IMO, making allowances for the habits of smokers is indirectly condoning the habit.

Having said that, I am a smoker. Do I regret picking up the habit? YES. Do I expect to be accomodated? Absolutely not. But, do I personally think it's fair to be tested for a substance that's legal and doesn't impair my judgment while working? Ummmm....NO. Where is this hospital, anyway?

In the news last week was an item r/t Scotts Miracle Gro Scotts has given employees a year - and free counseling, nicotine patches and cessation classes - to quit smoking. They also built a $5 million gym for the employees. The company has not determined how it will verify compliance with the new policy, said Jim King, a spokesman. As a non smoker I have concerns r/t the cost of my health insurance because the costs of claims has to be passed on and I end up paying more for my care because of smokers illness. Additionally I have a problem that as a family of 2 I pay the same premium as a family of 12.

Oops forgot to tell you that in August 2005 my facility went to being a "Smoke-free Campus" Now the smokers just have to take longer breaks to go to an area that is off campus. Another negative for us non-smokers who already take less breaks.

mcm

i dont think hospitals should accomodate smokers, you should be able to go 8hrs without having a cig. i am a smoker so to speak, i smoke cigars, only on my days off but i can go weeks or months without having one i just enjoy it when i get to have one. is it a bad habit....... as for cigar smoking, i dont see it as a bad habit

Oops forgot to tell you that in August 2005 my facility went to being a "Smoke-free Campus" Now the smokers just have to take longer breaks to go to an area that is off campus. Another negative for us non-smokers who already take less breaks.

mcm

Our campus just went smoke free in November. This has happened to us, as well. The smokers figured out the sidewalks are city owned, so now they take 10 minutes for their smoke breaks instead of five, because they have to walk farther. I wish they would have just let them continue to smoke in the loading dock. They have offered patches, gum and hypnosis along with counsiling for the smokers, but first they have to WANT to quit.

i know i dont want to quit smoking cigars as i enjoy them

I don't smoke, never have, I think it's a nasty habit but don't condone those who chose to smoke. I chose to eat and that's unhealthy too.

One thing that used to really bother me was that the smokers get 4-8 smoke breaks during the shift and actually get off the floor. I thought hum, I deserve those same breaks so now I go out for a "respiratory treatment" otherwise known as fresh air. I just go sit outside for a few minutes.

As an X-smoker (10 years) I can tell you without reservation that smokers DO get more breaks. But honestly I don't miss those breaks. When you're a smoker you constantly look for little oppertunities to smoke :)

Check out those other threads here. We've been there and done that. Someone always points out the hippocracy of the "health care" provider who smokes, and then someone always points out "how dare you judge, are you so perfect, we're all human.....", then of course there's the "smokers get more breaks" component.

Our hospital is a non-smoking facility. And while it doesn't ask us if we smoke, it has no smoking anywhere on the premises and threat of being fired for smoking on the premises just causes people to walk across the street or hide in corners and smoke.

They also offer non-smoking tips, patches and gum for free.

I did smoke up until 2 months ago when I gave up.

Gave up for my own reasons i.e wanted to get healthy etc

Try not to judge others, although I found giving up easy this time have tried twice before and failed but looks like 3rd time lucky.

Like most hospitals as from 1st January my hospital is now none smoking facility but you still have to dodge all the pts outside the enterance:stone

bettyboop

I am a former smoker (quit 8 years ago) and I know whats its like to need the fix. What I don't understand is why people aren't allowed to smoke in their cars. It's their property and all. And there are ways to cover the smell so that cant be an excuse. (fabric softener sheets for hair, jackets over scrubs, mouthwash, etc)