I read through a lot of the posts on nurses and smoking and I felt compelled to say this. Everyone makes it sound like because we're nurses that makes us "not human" or "superhuman". Yeah, we know it's bad for us, we know the consequences, etc, but so does everyone else in the world. Because we're nurses we're suppose to lead the perfect lives, set the perfect examples, eat only what's good for us, always be the ideal weight, I think NOT. Our job is to educate people. Example: Whether a nurse believes in or not believe in abortion must never voice her/his opinion, our job is to give information, education, information on both sides. It's not our decision to make nor our right to judge. Same with smoking. When someone comes in with lung ca, of course everyone's first question, do you smoke? So then what do you say, see, serves you right???? Come on. We're all human, we all make mistakes, and it's neither for "nurses" or anyone else to judge or decide. The nurses job is to state facts. That's it, opinions are not a part of it. And as far as the "break" issue. Everyone is entitled to their 10 or 15 minute break, and that allows each and every person, smoker or non smoker that amount of time OFF the floor, otherwise it's not considered a break!!! Also, when you are at work your the nurse, when your home, don't we all live "normal" lives just like every other joe blow? But I do know that in my facility more nurses smoke than not.......maybe it's the stress of the job, who knows? I didn't become a nurse to condemn others......only to try to help. What about caffeine? Nurses live on caffeine, yet, we know it's not good for us? 12 hour shifts are tough.....so do we condemn everyone for drinking caffeine too? It's a never ending battle..........
