Nurses and smoking

[ashleyh_84]

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?

[suzy253, RN]

Originally posted by Nursie30

Well, I am a smoker, I don't wreak of ashtray, we have to smoke outside, I freshen up after my breaks...

Bottom line we have to teach, we have to preach, if our patients aren't listening to us about smoking its probably not because the nurse that was preaching smells like cigarettes its probably because the patient is just addicted to smoking as the nurse that is preaching is.

Just as I am overweight and have to tell my patient to eat right, and stay off the sweets.

Just as I have to tell teenagers to use condoms and not have premarital sex and I had a son when I was 18 out of wedlock

I'm not unprofessional, I am human, and patients can also relate to someone that doesn't have a god complex.

AMEN!!!!!

[cbrnbloompa]

I feel that smoking is a gross habit although it is your body it is our air and we share that. I cannot respect any nurse or doctor who can tell their patients how to be healthy, but cannot be healthy themsleves.

[wildwood]

I used to smoke - quit about 10 years ago. One horrible and very sad (true story) was a real eye-opener.

A urologist I used to work with always told his bladder CA patients to stop smoking, because of the link of smoking and bladder cancer. Many would have recurrent tumors, and we saw them often in the OR for resections of bladder tumors.

The thing is, he smoked, and was not able to quit. He tried at work using Nicorette gum, etc. but on the golf course he'd be puffing away.

One night while I was on call, he asked me to get the flexible cystoscope for him to take to his office. I was surprised that he didn't ask me to go over there and help him, but he said he'd just bring it back for me to resterilize.

He did a flexible cysto on himself- diagnosed his own bladder CA. He went for treatment, had to have his entire bladder removed , but eventually died.

I really loved that surgeon, and had worked with him for a long time. It was one of the saddest and most ironic things I can imagine!

[mrsabradford]

Sad Story.

Thank you for sharing that with us.

MJ

[talullahmae]

While I agree that it is each person's body and their personal decision, smoking creates an odor and can be carried in to the working environment on clothing, etc which I seems not only unprofessional but potentially hazardous to some patients.

[mittels]

I still smoke. I smoke out side at home. I do not smoke at work. Who has time? I wear a patch 4 days a week, and yes I did quit for 2 years. Dont ask why I restarted. I just know it relieves stress. I dont drink nor do drugs execpt nicotine.

[NurseDianne, ADN]

Doctors and Nurses are people too! And as a reformed smoker...yeah 16months smoke free. I do understand how totally difficult it is to quit. I loved to smoke. In fact, this very moment I could smoke one from here to the road and be totolly happy! But, sadly, I wouldn't be able to breath. Hey, I have asthma and still I smoked. Heavily. My huney still smokes, he smokes outside, and yes we are both nurses and know the risk. I just think we ought not bad mouth the smokers. It doesn't help!

:smokin:

[tntrn, ASN, RN]

Having never smoked and not really being addicted to anything, I won't tell anybody that they should "just quit' because I truly have no idea how hard that might be. My dad quit cold turkey before I was born, and I'm so grateful to him for that. I am really allergic to cigarette smoke and can sniff out a puff from 500 yards.

As a Labor Nurse, I can't tell you how many times I have labor patients remark about "how good that other nurse was, but she smelled of smoke." Those of you who think you hide all traces of smoke after your breaks (and thanks for making that effort) might be surprised to know that some of us can still smell the odors emanating from your clothing or your hair. As a patient, I'd request a reassignment.

[nyapa, RN]

I am a non smoker and always have been. However, the product, much as I hate it and what it does, is legal. Thus pts and allied health professionals legally have the right to smoke. BUT...what really annoys me is nurses who lecture end stage COAD pts about their smoking, and have the temerity to become personally affronted by these same pts going outside straight after a nebuliser, when the nurse is a nicotine addict as well. Double standards is what I hate.

[Monica RN,BSN]

I would agree that to some of the persons who visit a healthcare facility, it would seem unprofessional... But we are living in the 2000's, a whole new era in time.... One should do what they want if they are old enough and know the health risks involved. We have areas that are out of view at our facility where no visitors, family or doctors go. ( Staff only )

[blondielaine7rn]

I personally don't smoke, and I can't see how nurses could do that to themselves! Most of us have seen an elderly person who can't hardly breathe b/c they smoked their whole lives. I just don't ever want to be like that. I do think it's a person's choice to smoke if they please, and I'm not going to get on someone's case about it b/c we are all aware of the consequences. By the way, I work at a womans hospital that centers around the birthing process, and smoking is prohibited anywhere on the premises (even outside and in the parking garage). It's for the health of the newborns. Does anyone else have this at your hospital?

[kea6783]

I would love to expect doctors and nurses to 'practice what they preach', but I don't think it would happen. How many MD/RNs do you know that exercise on a regular basis, drink 64 ozs of water a day, etc? I'm only a student, and I can't even find the time or energy to do all that. On a side note, I would love to be able to eat small meals every few hours, but no chance when I have to pee so bad sometimes I know I'm not going to have any bladder control when I'm 50. More often than not, when I get a second to eat, I overeat.. so unhealthy..