Nurses Smoking

november17, ASN, RN · Apr 16, 2008

I smoke, but I try really hard not to do it at work. I'm super paranoid about smelling like smoke. I generally only do it on the first 5 minutes of my lunch break so I have time to air out. I also go through a whole container of tictacs in the meantime and use that deoderizer spray. I realize it's offensive to other people. The smell doesn't bother me. When I'm at home I don't smoke in the house ever, and I don't smoke in my car either. Only outside. Sometimes I pull my car over to a parking lot to have a smoke.

Once in a great while I sneak out to have a smoke. It's silly, really. I've been working at my job for over a year and most of my coworkers don't realize I smoke. My unit coordinator is the same way...we accidentally ran into each other outside one day (sneaking behind the ER aha) and we were both like, "OMG you smoke?!?!?" Funny how some people are really open about it and others are sneaky. I guess I just get tired of people nagging me about it so it's easier just to lay low. I don't lie about it if anyone asks, but I generally try to avoid the whole issue altogether. It's not like I chain smoke or smoke 2 packs a day (more like a pack every 4 days or so - slightly more on my days off).

Yes, it's dumb. Yes, it kills you. Everyone has their vices. I eat a healthy high fiber low fat diet, I rarely drink alcohol, I don't engage in risky behaviors in general. Everyone has to die sometime...whether it be from lung/throat cancer or a bowel obstruction from eating crap food all your life. I'd personally rather go out young with all my faculties intact than die in a nursing home somewhere at the age of 105. Whatever.

RainDreamer, BSN, RN · Apr 16, 2008

People that smoke in their cars reek of it, and so does the car.

Yep, but as long as I don't have to ride in the car, then I don't care. But good luck to them trying to sell it!

Plagueis · Apr 16, 2008

It doesn't bother me one bit that a nurse smokes, and I'm a nonsmoker. I don't look down on nurses who smoke, and I don't think it makes someone a "bad" role model, or whatever, because someone chooses to smoke. (I think there are too many laws against smoking, so I'm surprised that the government doesn't just ban the sale and distribution of tobacco.) There are more important habits, such as being kind and considerate to others, that I use to determine whether someone is good role model or not.

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Apr 16, 2008

I work with several smokers and apart from one who absolutly stinks I never smell it on any of the others. The RN who reaks like an ashtray gone stale has been bought by our manager a bottle of fabreeze to spray on his clothes when he smells worse-we have to just give him the nod and he goes off and sprays.

JENNLEE · Apr 16, 2008

I work with several smokers and apart from one who absolutly stinks I never smell it on any of the others. The RN who reaks like an ashtray gone stale has been bought by our manager a bottle of fabreeze to spray on his clothes when he smells worse-we have to just give him the nod and he goes off and sprays.

ha ha! funny! "give him the nod" :lol2:

Cinthyaisabel · Apr 16, 2008

I hate cigaretes and the smell of smoke, but I never judge anyone that smokes because it's their life and they live it anyway they want. :nuke:

kristenncrn · Apr 16, 2008

What are your thoughts on a nurse that smokes?
Does it bother you?
Do you look down on them; especially with them being a nurse?

I wish that they'd quit.

Yep - cause I like my co-workers.

I'm 5'2" - I don't look down on many of my pediatric patients. I'm sure as hell not gonna be looking down on my peers. And I look up to people who are nurses - nurses are brilliant!!

I used to smoke. I love smoking. I actually kinda like people that smoke (generally) - kinda like I tend to like people who swear, or listen to loud music, or have tattoos, or travel the world, or loudly debate politics, or sky-dive, or something different. It's just me. They're my people!

That my nurse friends smoke makes me a wee bit sad if I think about it, because it really is a sucky habit in general. But I bite my nails.

How disgusting am I??

Someday, if I wake up perfect:saint:, I may do something about it. I'll let you all know when that happens. Until then, I'd gladly be someone's quitting buddy if they ask me to. Otherwise, it's none of my business unless it's in my house or space.

JMO though!

Kristen

dhigbee · Apr 16, 2008

Great post, Kristen!

proud2b1 · Apr 16, 2008

I am a smoker.I have never even really tried:smokin: to quit.I absolutly hate the smell,and hate the thought of smelling this way.I try hard to make sure I dont.I dont smoke around certain situations or people.I am finally ready to quit.I enjoy smoking,I know that sounds horrible,but after 17 years,it is a big part of me.It has came to the point that I have to let it go,or I will regret it!!!!!!By the way I am a procastenator!

COOL PEACH,YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :up:

Surgerygirl · Apr 17, 2008

(I think there are too many laws against smoking, so I'm surprised that the government doesn't just ban the sale and distribution of tobacco.)
I support a government ban on the sale and distribution of tobacco. Each year as many more laws are past we become closer to that eventuality. What is really upsetting is to see people who use food stamps and then have the money to buy cigarettes at the same time. If you have money to buy them then you can buy groceries.

coolpeach · Apr 17, 2008

OMG...Where are the punked people..the hidden camera. I know this isn't serious.

Your not actually saying that are you?

Lets say your correct.

Should people who get food stamps also not be allowed to buy

* Junk food...its bad for you, leads to health problems etc.

* Birthday gifts for children....Don't need them if they can't afford food, and some people think B-days are pagen anyway.

* Halloween Candy, and costumes....Don't need them and again some people don't agree with Halloween.

* Christmas Gifts from Santa...Another thing not needed, and some people don't believe in the commercialization of the holiday. In addition all those skates, skateboards and bikes raise your insurance rates.

* Candy, sweets and Birthday cakes....again not needed if they can't afford real food, and not healthy.

* Clothes from a department store....These people can't even afford to buy their own groceries they don't deserve to walk around in walmart brand from China. Potato sacks will do. And if they are on food stamps for more than a year only used potato sacks.

* Cars....If people can't afford to eat they should sell their car for food money, and take the bus. Wait ....why are they wasting money on the bus let them walk.

* Condoms ....if they can't afford to eat then they can't afford to have sex either. Sex is a privilage not a right.

* Cable/or even television......If they have time to watch tv they could be working and making money for food. Sell the tv for food money.

* Telephone....lots of people live without phones, and its something you don't need to live.

* Microwaves, toasters, blenders, and other things that you just don't need. Pawn it for food money. All you need is a stove.

*Speaking of stoves...they need a gas stove then they don't need electricity. People lived for 100's of years without it, and were fine.

Honestly, we need to crack the whip on these folks. I am so tired of all the smokers, poor people, smelly people, people who raise insurance rates because they lead less than perfect lives.

They need to make a moral police and take care of this.

dhigbee · Apr 17, 2008

H'mm. I work at a free clinic. We also dispense medications free of charge to patients, depending on what we have available. I regularly see asthmatic chain-smokers that say they can't afford to buy their albuterol inhalers. Albuterol inhalers cost around $35, and generally last a month, if used regularly. How many packs of cigarettes does it take to reach $35?