Nurses Smoking

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 1, 2008

Threads merged.

Ms. Nurse Assistant, LPN · May 1, 2008

Well, many are saying what nurses do in their personal lives is their business--but at hospitals and nursing homes many patients and visitors can see Nurses smoking on their breaks.

Wicked Wahine · May 1, 2008

Hey, my post just poofed! Did it get lost in the merge?

leslie :-D · May 2, 2008

if pts are not aware of their nurse's smoking habits, there is no harm.

but if nurses shouldn't smoke because of a responsibility/message to their pts, then the same standards would dictate that all nurses be of normal body weight as well.

leslie

Wicked Wahine · May 2, 2008

Regardless of the vice (smoking, drinking, whatever), it's unfair to assume that all healthcare professionals act as role models just based on their choice of career. Of course individuals may embrace the role of role model but others just aren't interested in being put up on that pedestal and that's OK too! I am going to NS to become a nurse and to care for patients, not to become a role model or be expected to lead a virtuous lifestyle. We are all big boys and girls who can make our own decisions and I'm not just talking about nurses, I'm talking about the patients too. And you know, thank god for that. Life would certainly be boring if everyone did the perfectly correct thing their entire lives. Pass the chocolate!

rags · May 5, 2008

I've only seen two or three physicians publicly smoking cigarettes in my lifetime.
On the other hand, I've witnessed more nurses puffing away than I can ever dream to count, without any attempt to keep their unhealthy habit in the closet.
Of course, there are countless more reasons why physicians have maintained their high level of prestige and respect in the public eye. I'm assured that many more doctors have bad habits; however, they are somehow afforded the ability to hide their vices more adroitly.

Do you think this might have something to do with the fact that they are not spending 12 -13 hours or more at the hospital during a shift, but rather their time to make rounds and then they are gone like the wind???

rags · May 5, 2008

What are your thoughts on a that smokes?
Not a very good nurse ! As one who suffers from fragrance/smoke sensitivity, I cannot have any nursing staff that smokes taking care of me. I guess I'd die at the rate things are going nowadays. I've seen "nurses" drown themselves in perfume or cologne in order to cover up the skanky smell of tobacco. That's just plain filthy and unprofessional.
Does it bother you?
Uh....yes, M'kay ? Obviously.
Do you look down on them; especially with them being a nurse?
YES ! As a nurse , you are in the business of HEALTH CARE, what don't you understand about that, nurses ? Smoking is by far the nastiest habit a human being can have, and it is an addiction. Therefore, there is chaos of some sort in YOUR life that needs attention, before you have the lives of others in your hands. It's an image thing, people !
I hate to come off so strongly, but it seems the whole healthcare industry has totally lost focus. I think we've gotten off track on issues like accommodating those who seemingly have to smoke in order to "cope" with a job they apparently can't stand. WHY, TELL ME, WHY ARE YOU IN NURSING THEN ?????? Wal-Mart could use more door greeters.
As a lowly male medical assistant, it is naturally my greatest desire to make RN one fine day. I, for one, don't need to tarnish that with nicotine stains and foul stench, thank you !
I said before that "it's an image thing", and nothing could be truer. If YOU smell clean, are smoke free, and present yourself well, the patients will come, and they will trust you. And that's another thing, SPEAK WELL, too. Regional accents don't convey a pro image. A nurse that sounds or looks like the object of a Jeff Foxworthy story won't cut it !
Oh, man....I'm really ranting today. My apologies everyone
Paul

Please before you become an RN take a class in compassion. It is a necessity to be a nurse. You are not allowed to judge your pt's and I feel this just may be an uphill battle for you so I would begin to work on it now. It will benefit you in the end.

rags · May 5, 2008

Are cigarettes FDA approved?

Sure.

Silly question + silly answer

rags · May 5, 2008

You all know that the most addictive "drugs" are nicotine and alcohol. The odd thing about these "drugs" is that they are legal drugs. I have heard over and over that cigarettes are the most powerful of these drugs.

Definitions of 'drug'

(drŭg) - 6 definitions - The American Heritage® Dictionary

drug(n.)A substance used in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of a disease or as a component of a medication.drug(n.)A chemical substance, such as a narcotic or hallucinogen, that affects the central nervous system, causing changes in behavior and often addiction.drug(v.)To administer a drug to.

Apparently your statement was an assumption. The federal government has had this depart and ruled tobacco was not a drug. The FDA said it was not a drug as well. So, I would add that to the above definition and say that it is NOT a drug. Addictive, yes, but not a drug.

I am so sorry to hear about your sister in-law. Your family is in our thoughts. Cancer is a horrible thing, no matter the cause.

rags

coolpeach · May 5, 2008

rags,

not only are you short on compassion, but on information.

no. 98—1152. argued december 1, 1999–decided march 21, 2000the food, drug, and cosmetic act (fdca), 21 u.s.c. 301 et seq., grants the food and drug administration (fda), as the designee of the secretary of health and human services (hhs), the authority to regulate, among other items, “drugs” and “devices,” 321(g)—(h), 393. in 1996, the fda asserted jurisdiction to regulate tobacco products, concluding that, under the fdca, nicotine is a “drug” and cigarettes and smokeless tobacco are “devices” that deliver nicotine to the body.

rags · May 5, 2008

rags,
not only are you short on compassion, but on information.
no. 98--1152. argued december 1, 1999-decided march 21, 2000the food, drug, and cosmetic act (fdca), 21 u.s.c. 301 et seq., grants the food and drug administration (fda), as the designee of the secretary of health and human services (hhs), the authority to regulate, among other items, "drugs" and "devices," 321(g)--(h), 393. in 1996, the fda asserted jurisdiction to regulate tobacco products, concluding that, under the fdca, nicotine is a "drug" and cigarettes and smokeless tobacco are "devices" that deliver nicotine to the body.

your link didn't give me anything to read, but was this what you were refering to?

supreme court decision: fda can't regulate cigarettes [03/21-5] no. 98-1152

supreme court of the united states

december 1, 1999, argued march 21, 2000, decided

disposition: 153 f.3d 155, affirmed.

i am still confused however on how you figured i was short on compassion. i guess there has been a misunderstanding. for that i am sorry, never intended to come across as "non compassionate".

rags

coolpeach · May 5, 2008

Rags,

I am soooo sorry!!!! I mistook you for writing the post that you were only quoting on page 13, but it was not you it was Hauseman. I am sure you have plenty of compassion, and I am so sorry for confusing you with the other poster.