Hey, I am a pre nursing student and trying to write a persuasive speech on why smokers should not be allowed to apply for the nursing program.
What do you think? Should they/should they not? Why
My reasoning was that A) they are being hypocritical by deliberately mistreating their body while giving health advise to patients and B) the nursing program is so competitive and by eliminating smokers, there would be more openings for admittance, let me know what you think
OP, Really? Are smokers really the only thing keeping you out of nursing school? Why do you hate them/us so much? Maybe you should really look at why you've chosen this topic, if in fact you chose it and it wasn't chosen for you that is. I am a nurse and a smoker and I for one am really SICK AND TIRED of everybody trying to take away my rights/freedoms in this country. It is really getting ridiculous. All the anti-smoking nazi's out there beware. Some day THEY will come after something you like and we won't be there to support you either. Besides all of the great examples by other posters of let's expand the ban to obese people, people who drink, etc, etc, etc, let's go a step further. How about we go back to the old days and start eliminating minorities, homosexuals, that would really cut down the competition wouldn't it? (Above is tongue in cheek just in case you were wondering.) Get on with your life and quit worrying about other peoples habits.
Are you serious? I am not a smoker but come on, if you start taking away rights of people who are engaging in LEGAL activities, you are majorly infringing on their rights. It is no one's business what they do as long as they are not endangering anyone at the school or doing something illegal.
I think your basis for persuasion is weak, and that you should choose another topic. Using the arguments that something is 'hypocritical' in my opinion isn't overly convincing since hypocrisy exists in all areas of life and using it to deny someone access to an education is, well, silly.
The second topic you use to support your position is also quite weak. Yeah, smokers aren't protected under any discrimination laws, however, you might as well be arguing not to let in someone from a certain ethnic group, or religion, or on the basis of their weight, or sexuality. The point of your position is the same, free up space in the nursing program for 'the rest of us'.
Smoking doesn't make you less smart. Less able to get through a program. Less worthy. Less of a person.
Pick another topic, one that you can actually succeed in persuading the reader because if you use this one you may not get the grade you're looking for.
I'm pretty sure the OP isn't coming back to respond to any of our posts. S/he posted this one and only post, on Feb 25th and has not ever posted anything before or after this.
My fellow nurses I live in the Pacific Northwest and a couple of weeks ago I started a post about the fact that a large hospital system here is as a part of pre-employment drug screening checking for nicotine. If nicotine is found the job offer will be rescinded however present employees already hired are not held to this standard.
I don't smoke but I feel it is discrimination . It is a slippery slope ethically because to me who or what healthcare behavior is next ? Nicotine is a legal substance. I am off topic here somewhat but I am really surprised a pre- nursing major would be asked to even formulate an argument for that. Our society is becoming less tolerant of human foibles on a daily basis I feel like.
Also why would a pre-nursing major want us to formulate her answers for her own paper ? She should do her own work, and as CT Pixie said she has not been back.
Specializes in Nursing Education, CVICU, Float Pool.
Maybe the OP doesn't necessarily agree that smokers shouldn't be allowed into nursing school, but she has to argue a specific side. I know many of my instructors both in high school and college tell you must argue one point/ side or the other regardless if you believe/ support it or not. My professor says the purpose of persuasive essays is learning how to argue a point effectively even if it isn't the popular opinion. Other students might have been told to persuade the other way. There is no way to be sure of course. Also the OP wasn't asking any of us, at least not to me, to formulate her paper or work for her. She asked for you guys opinion as nurses, nursing students, and pre-nursing students; so that she could include those in her paper/ research.
1st) How could you test if a student is a smoker or not? Honor system? Please, there is no such thing in nursing school.
2nd) Dont forget that being a nurse is a profession. But i think most of us can agree that when we give health advice we do it because it is in our job description and scope of practice to do so. Yes we want the best for our patients, but its more of "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink" type of situation. You can't target smoking nurses ( me being one of them) because then you'll have to prove that my smoking effects my ability to perform my job. There are all types of nurses... smokers, drinkers, overweight, weak, stubborn, "know it alls", "know nothings", drug users, excellent leaders, work-aholics, etc etc... The fact is, if we can do our job, then there is no problem.
OP - I wonder the same thing. How can a nurse teach someone that smoking is unhealthy when they smoke...hmm...as well, how can an obese nurse teach someone not to be obese...I believe a nurse should be as healthy as possible. It's not discrimination, it's the job. Obviously no one is perfectly healthy, but some things are right there in your face, like smoking (really?) and obesity (really?). Right there in your face makes it a deal breaker.
Yes people and nurses shouldnt smoke, yes people and nurses shouldnt be obese but I believe that all human beings are "flawed " no one is perfect and I know perhaps over the years me being "flawed" in front of my patients enabled them to listen to my teaching of good health behaviors because I would say I know its hard, I know its a challenge and any positive steps are good ones..
Yes being a smoker or being obese is in someone's face but you will find that you can want perfection in your patients and yourself as a nurse but it will not happen. I feel as a nurse that if my skills and my humanity can help another human being see me as real and dealing with some of their same problems then that is what I am a nurse for not being perfect. I have never known a perfect nurse or a perfect person . Human beings are human and so are nurses. Just my
Despareux
938 Posts
Wow! Somebody doesn't like smokers!