Nurses and smoking

Nurses General Nursing

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  1. Is it ok for nurses and doctors to smoke?

    • 280
      Yes, Its their body.
    • 192
      No, its not very professional.
    • 54
      Other, explain

462 members have participated

Do you think it is ok if a nurse or a doctor smokes? Because i know when i go to the doctors office with my boyfriend and he tells him that he smokes that he gos on and on of how he shouldnt be smoking at all. But then we go outside and see nurses smoking and such!! So what do you guys think?

America is a republic, a constitutional Republic of a democratic (one man - one vote) nature.

A Rebulic is ruled by law whereas a democracy is ruled by the majority vote. Even if a 51% majority wanted to bring back slavery it won't happen because it is against the law. A pure democracy is actually a Communist idea.

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
America is a republic, a constitutional Republic of a democratic (one man - one vote) nature.

A Rebulic is ruled by law whereas a democracy is ruled by the majority vote. Even if a 51% majority wanted to bring back slavery it won't happen because it is against the law. A pure democracy is actually a Communist idea.

OMG, who said anything about slavery? :uhoh21:

Anyway, lets' get back on topic with the discussion of nurses & smoking, okay my friend? :)

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OMG, who said anything about slavery? :uhoh21:

Anyway, lets' get back on topic with the discussion of nurses & smoking, okay my friend? :)

That was just an example demonstrate the difference between a democracy and a republic. Anyway you are correct. I have strayed from the topic.

I do not believe that any healthcare provider should come into work smelling of tobacco smoke.

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I just want to say that I really dont want to be a nurse anymore!!! For 20 yrs I have taken care of my patients with intelligence, compassion* and have always been nonjudgmental * as I was taught in school!!! How in the ---- do all of you call yourselves "a nurse"!! There are lots of things people do that I believe is not right or proper or whatever but I am there to help them, period!!!! People try to commit suicide and I feel that's wrong, but I am able to put my feelings aside to help them--because thats what a nurse does!!!! PERIOD...... WE ARE NOT HEALTH ZEALOTS OR HEALTH NAZIS... and I for one strongly believe we do not need to put ourselves up on some PEDESTAL that we are better than others because we "don't smoke", we "don't eat too much", we "excercise", we "are so superior" !!!! Some people really don't want to live forever and I for one support their "choice". Wonderful world, right? I work with both smoking and nonsmoking "nurses" and my opinion is this: Doesn't matter to me. PERIOD! What matters to me and to my patients is if you have the skills it takes!!! PERIOD!!!! I have occasionally thought that perhaps a nonsmoking nurse possibly could use a smoke but even that wouldn't help with SKILLS! Same goes for the smokers!!! PERIOD!!!!!! DOES NOT HAVE ANYTHING to do with the kind of nurse or doctor you are!! PERIOD!!!!

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
I just want to say that I really dont want to be a nurse anymore!!! For 20 yrs I have taken care of my patients with intelligence, compassion* and have always been nonjudgmental * as I was taught in school!!! How in the ---- do all of you call yourselves "a nurse"!! There are lots of things people do that I believe is not right or proper or whatever but I am there to help them, period!!!! People try to commit suicide and I feel that's wrong, but I am able to put my feelings aside to help them--because thats what a nurse does!!!! PERIOD...... WE ARE NOT HEALTH ZEALOTS OR HEALTH NAZIS... and I for one strongly believe we do not need to put ourselves up on some PEDESTAL that we are better than others because we "don't smoke", we "don't eat too much", we "excercise", we "are so superior" !!!! Some people really don't want to live forever and I for one support their "choice". Wonderful world, right?

momedsurglpn - I truly regret you don't want to be a nurse anymore. I also regret some of your jaded comments. I consider myself an advocate for wellness, yet never implied that I'm better than others because I choose to not fill my lungs with cigarette carcinogens [can double risk for CAD], not fill my arteries with Big Mac induced hyperlipidemia, or choose not to have a sedentary life-style [can double risk for CAD]. I would like to live a long healthy life, not just live long. My Dad [RIP], died at the age of 48 yrs old, and I was only 10 yrs old. He always had a cigarette in his mouth, and when not at work [never missed wk d/t alcohol] had a beer can in his hand, plus he ate mostly fried foods. You have not right [well, it is a free country] to judge me, or my motives w/o knowing me first... thank you very much.

BTW, I never refuse to give nursing care to anyone, no matter there life-style, eating habits, or whatever.

:)

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Specializes in Geriatrics/Oncology/Psych/College Health.

Thanks for those words, Corvette Guy. We're awfully harsh on each other in regards to this topic. As always, I ask everyone to refrain from personal attacks. Disagreement is not grounds to imply that another poster is stupid, a bad nurse, or a bad person.

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I am a last-semester nursing student (non-smoker). I don't judge those that do smoke in the nursing profession. I just playfully joke that "That's ok, I'll take care of you too, when you get COPD!!!" It gets a laugh, but I hope it makes them think.

Ladygray92

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Do as I say and not as I do! sounds familiar to any of you? he he... I think if a person wants to smoke they are free to do so as long as it's legal. Doctors and nurses are included. We take decisions for ourselves and I would not like someone telling me what to do (I do not smoke by the way). I would expect a doctor or a nurse to tell me about the hazards of smoking -- this is part of their job to share the knowledge and educate the public so that the public can make an educated decision.

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Its a personal choice. It doesnt matter what job or profession a person has, we are adults and make an informed choice. Sometimes the only time I have had a break, is a 5 min smoke break, and have never had anyone complain, not even the non smokers. Maybe thats because when the nurse in charge, if I have noticed that a staff member is a bit stressed or has been very busy, I have always made sure they take a short break, and maybe go and make themselves a drink. I have always tried to get to know my colleauges, so that if they have any problems, either with work or at home, then I can judge if they need a break, or they could come to me and ask. This then works both ways, as when I was having problems coleagues would often say to me to go and have a quick smoke break and they would call me if I was needed. There was never any problem with "I am not looking after the patients while you have a smoke". Everyone worked well together.

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Specializes in CCRN, TNCC SRNA.

I think that is a personal choice. I cant judge a smoker, but I will not promote it either

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Almost all the hospitals and their primary care clinics have gone to smoke-free campuses in my area. You can't even smoke across the street or you'll get written up.

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Almost all the hospitals and their primary care clinics have gone to smoke-free campuses in my area. You can't even smoke across the street or you'll get written up.

Heads up for you smokers. There are 3 young ladies in my clinical group that smoke and that is their choice. They take their smoke breaks together and when they come back on the floor they smell just like smoke. Even though I don't say anything, I get as far away from them as possible since I have allergies and just can't stand the smell. I don't know what people can do about it but just wanted to let you know that once you've had your smoke break, perhaps you should wait a few additional minutes before going into your patient's room. Because someone doesn't say anything, doesn't been that they're not offended.

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