Out of nursing program cause i am smoker!!!

JoeyDog · Jan 8, 2007

She said that they were informed about the smelling like smoke at clinicals rule from the begining. In my comment I stated that she go over the policy and procedures of her institution with a fine tooth comb. If it states that students cannot smell like smoke at clinicals, but does not state where and when they can smoke it is a catch 22 anyway. I have never met a person who can smoke yet not smell like smoke.

I am all for individual rights and I think today's treatment of smokers is borderline discriminatory. However, as a smoker entering in to healthcare it is up to the Op to make herself aware of the rules that govern her academic institution. I based my comments on what the Op said in her statement. If there are no such rules in place then by all means I would tell the instructor she can go......eat a doughnut. If there are rules regarding the whole smoking issue then I think that my comments are valid. Only the Op knows what the rules are, I meant my suggestions as only that, suggestions based on a glimpse into another's life.

jimthorp · Jan 8, 2007

I have never met a person who can smoke yet not smell like smoke.

I have. My ex-wife quit, or so I thought until I found a pack of butts in the glove compartment of her car. As I had previously stopped smoking I could smell it rather easily. She hid it very well.

mavisdavis · Jan 8, 2007

I have not read the other responses yet, but I want to comment.

I don't mean to be harsh but I will be frank.

You should just write the papers and go on about your business. I do agree that the paper about "lying" is a little far-fetched, considering you did 'fess up -- but -- if you did leave clinicals without permission to smoke, that was truly a poor choice.

Many people have difficult experiences in nursing school, but you will find difficulties in real life nursing, as well, and it would serve you well to know when to take what is coming and when to fight. This is an instance where you should just do what is required and move on.

If I were your instructor, not only would I expect the papers if I had assigned them (no matter what reason), but I would also grade heavily against you for your poor grammar and writing abilities in a field where communication is so important.

p.s. Some of my classmates who were smokers kept a bottle of Fabreze handy to use before going on the floor.

Help, I am at risk of being out of the nursing program because I am a smoker.
I really could use some advise on how to deal with a very unfair instructor. I am a first year PN student and we just started clinicals in Nov. I have an instructor that is absloutely against smoking. Of 18 students in the class only about 6 are not smokers. We were informed that if we as much as smelled of smoke during clinicals we would be docked in our grade.
One day another student and I got busted for smoking. Please no lectures on smoking and how bad it is. I really would like to quit. Anyway, our grade for the day was docked in every area it could. I would be fine with that. What I dont feel is fair is the way the instructor handled it after that.
A few days after the incident the instructor pulled me into her office when no one was around. She flat out asked me if I had smoked, and I said I will not lie, I did. She asked why after knowing her clear views on smoking I would do that, was I just that addicted? I told her yes, it is an addiction. This teacher than asked me about the other student and if she had smoked also. I felt uncomfortable about her asking me about another student, but I admitted she did also. I told her that I was sorry and would make sure it didnt happen again during clinicals. In fact I had just done another clinical the day before and told her in no way did I smoke before or during that clinical. This lovely woman told me that I need to think about what my punishment should be for disobeying her rules. Now remember my grade got docked for smelling of smoke. She also threatened to tell my mother about the incident. My mom works at the college but in a totally unrelated department.
A few days later she pulled me and the other student aside in a public hallway to lecture us and give us our punishment. She stated that we would write a 2 page paper with 2 references on how to quit smoking. Also we would write a 2 page paper on lying. Now I never did lie to her, she asked me if I smoked and I told her yes I did. If I wouldnt have confessed she wouldnt be able to punish us at all. Then to top it off she wants a 3 page paper on patient abandonment. She informed us, this is on the very last day of class before Christmas break, that we will have an incomplete in her class until she recieves these. I feel she is out of line and that she did this in a public hallway is just aweful. She wanted to make an example of us in front of the other students and I feel she handled this poorly.
I am furious. I have read the policies and procedures for the program I am in and nowhere does it say anything about smoking. In fact I dont think she can even assign extra papers because of it. My grade was docked as we were warned would happen. How can she make up extra punishment when I was punished by my grade? How can she make up extra assignments when we were told our grade would be docked. I earned a very hard A in her class. I got a 98% on her final.
Also this woman is a constant overeater and is constantly snacking on candy and other fattening treats. She flat out admits she cant live without candy. Yet she has the balls to judge anyone that smokes. She actually will pick out little things to dock grades on just because someone is a smoker when a nonsmoker can do clearly worse and recieve a better grade. I wrote in a letter to her that her behavior toward me and the other student was rude. In public to degrade us and ask us to write about effects of smoking and lying. How would she like it if she was asked to write about her eating habits and lack of exercise and how her fat butt is bad for her health? She can walk around with a jelly donut in her fat hand, but god forbid she smells smoke on a student.
She called me at home tonight to inform me that if she does not have these papers in hand by Weds of this week she will not let me continue in the program. I am considering taking her actions to her superiors and filing a greivance with the college regarding my grade.
Is it fair for a teacher to withhold your grade because of something like this? I have wrote her a letter pointing out how unfair it is and that I will not write extra papers for being a smoker. I admited to her I was wrong to smoke during a clinical, and said it will not happen again. My grade for that day was lowered because of it. I expect the grade I earned for the semester. I completed her course and than on the last day she throws 3 papers at me as a punishment!!!
I wrote her a letter that I expect the grade I earned and will not be treated like a child and will go to the board if she follows through on her threat. I feel I should add I am a president and deans list student. I have a print out of the points in her class and have earned a 96% fair and square. The class is over and I have an incomplete at the time deans and presidents list are being made, so she has taken that from me.
Please no lectures about smoking, if i could just quit I would. I want to know if her behavior is even justifiable? What are my legal options in this?

truern · Jan 8, 2007

Help, I am at risk of being out of the nursing program because I am a smoker.

Actually, you're at risk of being out of the program because you knew the rules, yet broke them, and you're not willing to do the punishment.

Did you actually send the letter as described?? :uhoh21:

Btw, at my school the rules and regulations for the nursing program were much more stingent than those for the rest of the school so I'm not sure reading your student handbook will help you much. We also had to abide by the r/r for the clinical sites.

NaomieRN · Jan 8, 2007

I would take the opportunity to quit if I were you. The hospital I do my clinicals finally have a non smoking policy, wich I am very happy. Try to enroll in a program, that can help you quit. I know it is not going to be easy, but the least you can do is try.

Texbarbie59 · Jan 8, 2007

I know how you feel. As a student you should have rights but as a smoker we have no rights, here where I live a person or patient can not even smoke on the groounds of the hospital. I am a nurse and I smoke. I do not wnat to quit or I would. I was in he hospital for neck surgery. I want to get oout of there becouse I wanted to relax and have a smoke. Smoking relaxes me, I was persscribed medication to help me stop smoking but I could not afford the medication it was like $300.00 per a month! As far as smoke scent being on your clothes, use Frabreeze, also use strong mouth mints. I have always used mints becouse I do not want to affend anyone with my bad breath. ( I also know some people that do not smoke smell real bad and have bad breath, some is due to medicatoin they are taking and some is due from not realing they stink ot maybe dont care) What affends me is strong perfume or some perfume in general. Red Door sets off my headaches and make me feel as though I cant breath.

smokers doont have rights but it may fall under soomthing else. speak with your advisor or soomeone.

PANurseRN1 · Jan 8, 2007

Hey,
I am a smoker also. During clinicals, I didn't smoke. You have to just follow their rules until you are on your own time! I went through a lot of gum. I also smoked a lot before clinical. I would just use body spray to cover it up. Febreeze and/or Bath & Body Works does help. Trust me. :) As far as her telling your mother, who does she think she is. This isn't high school! LOL!

Nothing smells worse than someone who smokes trying to cover it up with Febreeze and body spray. Ick. As if the smoke wasn't bad enough, then you have perfumey smell on top of it.

If I were the pt of a nurse who did that, I'd ask for another nurse. That sort of thing makes me physically ill.

SoulShine75 · Jan 8, 2007

Wow...first of all let me say that I understand this discrimination, as do all the smokers out there. I am a smoker and as much as I want to quit...it's difficult. Being a nurse herself she should at least know that smoking is as addictive as heroine and it's sometimes more difficult to stop. I'm sorry you were treated this way....on the other hand if you were told not to smoke at clinical and yet you did I would take the punishment and just suck it up, even though it isn't her right to judge you, you did go against the rules...I mean that in the nicest way possible. I hope not to offend.

Did you leave the floor to go and smoke or were you on a break? Leaving the floor is a big no-no. We were told that we weren't allowed to smoke and I didn't because I would have been too scared to get caught and frankly, we never had a break to do so. However, I did smoke on my way to school, because that's my time and no one can tell me what to do in my own time, but I did carry a febreeze sort of de-smoker spray so as not to offend anyone with the smell. No one ever claimed they smelled smoke on me, but most of them were smokers too so they wouldn't then now would they? :lol2:

Moving on...I think the way she berated you in the hallway was unprofessional and the fact that she is making you write these papers probably isn't fair, but more than likely nothing is going to happen to this woman so why not just do the work so that you can proceed in school? If you do move on will you have her again? I hope not. :uhoh3: I'm sorry that I don't have any advice for you except to say that if this were me, I'd do the work and not rock the boat anymore than you have to. School is temporary, just do what you have to do to get through it.

Good luck.

jimthorp · Jan 8, 2007

Actually, you're at risk of being out of the program because you knew the rules, yet broke them, and you're not willing to do the punishment.

!!!???

ZASHAGALKA, RN · Jan 8, 2007

You broke the rules that THIS instructor established and that you knew were established. Doesn't matter if there is a written policy and it doesn't matter if you appeal. You haven't been dropped from the program yet, so my advice is to STOP trying to lash out and do what it takes to protect your position.

Write the papers, suck it up and put on a smile, and don't smoke again around clinicals.

You have to pick your battles. You just can't stand toe to toe with this instructor, no matter how angry you are, no matter how many letters you write, no matter how many complaints you file.

Obviously you are angry and/or upset about the situation. It comes down to this: are those emotions and the need to vindicate yourself more important than finishing school? If so, go for it with reckless abandon and afterwards, figure out what non-nursing job you want to do with your life. If nursing is more important than venting your anger, then DO WHAT IT TAKES TO STAY IN THE PROGRAM.

It's that simple.

It's the two rules of college: 1. The instructor is always right, 2. If you want to pass, see rule #1.

~faith,

Timothy.

SoulShine75 · Jan 8, 2007

I'd like to know what your school's harassment policy says. I find your instructor's threat to tell your mother bizarre at best. She apparently thinks bullying is acceptable behavior.
One other item in this thread made me do a double-take: It was a reference to "smoking booths" at a hospital (in Kentucky, I believe). I'd never heard of that. Most hospitals here haven't allowed smoking on hospital grounds for years.
I don't want to be around anyone who smells of cigarette smoke. But it's not illegal to smoke, no matter what this self-appointed ayatollah has to say.

I also live in KY and they have do have smoking booths outside the hospital. I guess for when it's raining and cold out. The main reason they did this was because they banned smoking on the grounds so the staff would walk out to the sidewalk and smoke which looked worse for the hospital and to the public so they caved and gave them a small designated area to smoke. I'm a smoker but wouldn't step foot in one of those booths because they stink so bad it makes you want to gag. We don't have people walking around smoking in our Wal-Mart though...I thought this was funny. :lol2: You aren't allowed to smoke in restaurants anymore, which doesn't bother me in the least and you certainly can't smoke in the grocery store. Who are these people? lol

allnurses Guide · Jan 8, 2007

We weren't allowed to smoke at all during clinicals. On campus during classes we could of course smoke on breaks and at lunch. (I say "we" but I've never smoked in my life).

Not knowing the entire situation here I'd have to agree with jimthorp - we don't have enough information to give advice.

I do think the instructor is way out of line in what she is asking an adult to do. I agree that this is not high school or even junior high.

If a rule was broken regarding smoking during clinicals, then there needs to be a process set up to deal with it. The OP needs to find out what the rules and regs and consequences are - and then deal with it appropriately.

As to not being able to tell when people go out to smoke - may I interject that a smoker needs more than breath mints - they need to brush their teeth and use mouth wash. It is the same as if I ate a garlic pizza - a breath mint won't help.

steph