Nurses who smoke

manna, BSN, RN · May 7, 2004

Yes, I'll agree with that (I admit I didn't read the whole thread before posting my little piece above).

I personally would prefer that smoking be banned in most public places - if I don't choose to subject my kids to cigarette smoke, they shouldn't have to be subjected to it at all the restaurants in town for the smokers' convenience. I'm also asthmatic, so I don't particularly care to be around it either.

This is one of those cases, I think, where I mentioned that it's a personal liberty issue UNTIL your choices begin affecting someone else's health....

I suppose I could just not go to those restaurants and stores...(although one or two of the restaurants in town have now banned smoking indoors, several still allow it). I wonder what percentage of the population are smokers, though?

MandyInMS · May 7, 2004

-------------You have now entered Perfect Nurses Land-----------

wait....

what's wrong???....

why is there no one here???

~grins @ ya~

nurseunderwater · May 7, 2004

-------------You have now entered Perfect Nurses Land-----------
~

i got bounced at the gates :saint:

NursesRmofun, ASN, RN · May 7, 2004

Finally read this thread. Boy-o-boy! Opinions everywhere!

I am an ex-smoker who really misses smoking sometimes, not because it is or ever was *good for me*, but because it is a very addictive vice that I enjoyed. YES, I enjoyed it. That is the truth. Things that we enjoy are not always good for us. I quit because I was too sick too often.

As for nurses smoking, I don't think it is much worse (if any worse) than being obese and telling our patients to stick to a diet. Nurses are not perfect.

Now, when it comes to breaks, I do believe smokers should be fair and not think they are entitled to more breaks, longer breaks, or breaks when their patients need help and the covering nurse is going to have to pick up a lot of slack during the 15 mins. to longer that the smoking nurse is outside!

My two cents added! :chuckle

EarthAngel · May 7, 2004

"Do you think it is positive for a nurse to smoke, and then educate her patients about not smoking? Especially infront of a lung cancer pt??? "

This made me think of when we were in nursing school and were taught that nurses need to have a certain reputation and should never be seen outside work in their uniforms or scrubs, and if we go out say, to clubs or drinking somewhere with friends, we should never let people know we are nurses because it gives a bad image-and all I have to say is COme ON!!This is 2004, not 1945. What do you think about nurses that go to work with bright red hickeys from a significant other?? OMG!! Shes ...SHEs HUMAN ! What do you say about nurses that have alternative lifestyles? I think people should not be judged on the little things they enjoy- but rather on the skill they demonstrate and their devotion, reliability and compassion they express for their patients.

Sorry- this has been brewing. thanks for letting me vent. :clown:

BSN2004NSU, BSN, RN · May 7, 2004

I personally feel that nurses and other health care professions shouldn't smoke b/c it portrays the wrong image. I've never smoked, and maybe that's why I say that. I'm in nursing school right now, and our teachers always get on the students who smoke. Just think of it like this: If your patient comes to you and says, "Why should I stop smoking, you smoke too?", how would you respond? Plus, the only judge is God so I'm not judging the ones that do smoke.

Love and live life

louloubell1 · May 7, 2004

Yes I strongly agree nurses should be a picture of health, if that's what you want to call it, and as for a nurse shortage if it's gonna be let it be, there are alot of people getting into nursing for the wrong reasons and not taking their job, pts, seriously they dress any kind of way, talk any kind of way, etc. but that is another post as I stated before sorry if I stepped on any toes but I'm just telling it like it is if the shoe fit wear it.

Lisadlpn2brn, I would like to congratulate you on being so perfect and professional. You are hereby invited to join a new utopian society created for individuals such as yourself. As a member of this society created for perfect health professionals you are assumed to meet the following criteria:

You never partake of sweets, consume less than 30 grams of fat per day, always eat the recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables, and never imbibe other than the occassional glass of heart healthy red wine. Eating red meat, nachos, full fat ice cream, or anything that can be found on the McDonald's menu will be grounds for expulsion from the club, but you don't do that I know because you are the perfect professional nurse.

In addition, you are assumed to be of optimal weight for your height, your nails do not extend past your fingertip (germs you know), you never miss a pap smear or monthly self breast exam, have ALWAYS practiced safe sex, and you have your cholesterol and blood pressure checked at least every six months (preferably immediately following your q6 month teeth cleaning). I'm sure you do all these things because they are optimal for your health, and after all, you are the perfect professional nurse.

It is also understood that you drive a vehicle with the highest safety rating, never operate it when tired, and never exceed the speed limit. In addition, when biking you always wear a helmet, elbow and knee pads, and brightly colored clothing. Actually, you know what? Biking is too risky. You do not bike as you are the perfect professional nurse and shouldn't be engaging in any activity which may lead to a head injury.

Finally, you are believed to have no inclination toward risk taking behaviors which shall include, but not be limited to, skydiving, skating, skiing, all contact sports, showering in any place in which those nonskid sticky little fish do not populate the bath or shower floor, riding the ferris wheel at any of those traveling carnivals, or crossing the street at any point other than a clearly designated crosswalk (and never against the light of course). I know we don't have to worry about this with you however, because again, you are the perfect professional nurse, one who emulates healthy behaviors in every possible way. Welcome to the club. You'll probably be pretty lonely here, but at least you'll know that indeed you are the perfect and most professional nurse.

Energizer Bunny · May 8, 2004

ROFLMBO!!!! Thanks Lou! Just what I needed as I head to bed!

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · May 8, 2004

RN Lou-

Not only is your post hysterical- you make most excellent and valid points.

Thanks!

1BlessedRN · May 8, 2004

Lisadlpn2brn, I would like to congratulate you on being so perfect and professional. You are hereby invited to join a new utopian society created for individuals such as yourself. As a member of this society created for perfect health professionals you are assumed to meet the following criteria:
You never partake of sweets, consume less than 30 grams of fat per day, always eat the recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables, and never imbibe other than the occassional glass of heart healthy red wine. Eating red meat, nachos, full fat ice cream, or anything that can be found on the McDonald's menu will be grounds for expulsion from the club, but you don't do that I know because you are the perfect professional nurse.
In addition, you are assumed to be of optimal weight for your height, your nails do not extend past your fingertip (germs you know), you never miss a pap smear or monthly self breast exam, have ALWAYS practiced safe sex, and you have your cholesterol and blood pressure checked at least every six months (preferably immediately following your q6 month teeth cleaning). I'm sure you do all these things because they are optimal for your health, and after all, you are the perfect professional nurse.
It is also understood that you drive a vehicle with the highest safety rating, never operate it when tired, and never exceed the speed limit. In addition, when biking you always wear a helmet, elbow and knee pads, and brightly colored clothing. Actually, you know what? Biking is too risky. You do not bike as you are the perfect professional nurse and shouldn't be engaging in any activity which may lead to a head injury.
Finally, you are believed to have no inclination toward risk taking behaviors which shall include, but not be limited to, skydiving, skating, skiing, all contact sports, showering in any place in which those nonskid sticky little fish do not populate the bath or shower floor, riding the ferris wheel at any of those traveling carnivals, or crossing the street at any point other than a clearly designated crosswalk (and never against the light of course). I know we don't have to worry about this with you however, because again, you are the perfect professional nurse, one who emulates healthy behaviors in every possible way. Welcome to the club. You'll probably be pretty lonely here, but at least you'll know that indeed you are the perfect and most professional nurse.

to clarify myself PROFESSIONAL I try to be, perfect I'm not, I never did say I was, so if you're gonna quote me, come correct, this is my opinion about cigarette smoke not weight, alcohol, etc. because I do listen to my pts., family members how they say the smell affects them, while you are out taking risks as you state in the above text and I will say this again I'm sorry if I stepped on any toes, but again if the shoe fits by GOD wear it! and I do love you RN LOU:)

a soft answer turns away wrath

EMPATH · May 8, 2004

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As for nurses who smoke, I am a nurse of 23 years and also a HUMAN which makes me vulnerable to all the same faults that my patients may or may not have. There are obese nurses who work on heart wards, is that right.. there are many faults we all have and the greatest is that we are all human. Smoking is not RIGHT but it is an addiction, and the stress of the job doesn't make it any easier.

As for the person who gets upset by having to cover the smoking nurses patients, you take a lunch break don't you? and others have to cover your patients when you do that , if you are so upset about not being able to leave the floor then why not make it a habit to got for a short walk as your "smoke break"

Ahuman with faults of my own :rotfl:

Energizer Bunny · May 8, 2004

to clarify myself professional i try to be, perfect i'm not, i never did say i was, so if you're gonna quote me, come correct, this is my opinion about cigarette smoke not weight, alcohol, etc. because i do listen to my pts., family members how they say the smell affects them, while you are out taking risks as you state in the above text and i will say this again i'm sorry if i stepped on any toes, but again if the shoe fits by god wear it! and i do love you rn lou:)
a soft answer turns away wrath

here ya go...this is from me:

quote:

originally posted by cnm2b

so, nurses should then be the picture of health...we shouldn't drink, smoke, eat too much, etc???? boy, would that make the nursing shortage worse!

and this is from you, so yes, you basically did say we shouldn't drink or eat too much. you did say we should be the picture of health:

"yes i strongly agree nurses should be a picture of health, if that's what you want to call it"