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
I am aware of what a argument is based on for a paper but most pre nursing majors are taking base classes not senior electives and also how she mentioned the paper was part of a class as a prereq to nursing school is very odd . However how the OP originally stated her question ,and how she has never came back to see what we think is someone not wanting to do a logical argument like a person may have to do in a bioethics course . I was just agreeing with Pixie and I went to college and still am going to college with some people who do their best to try to get others to think for them.
If she had came back and posted and responded I would think she was for real.
Maybe cogath I am pretty active in internet forums and there are those individuals that post a topic that is sure to incite alot of opinion then they disappear but I would like to think people who frequent this site would be above that but who knows. I hope the OP was not though.
Wow! You got quite a few responses already! What a hot topic for a paper. Good for you for stirring up the pot!
Who are we to judge? But since we are, here's my opinion... smokers smell. I can't stand it when I enter a room and have to be in there for hours with a pt or family members who wreak of smoke. Asthma makes it challenging for me to deal with pt's, family or rooms like this. I have in the past requested a change of assignment d/t this. Can't care for a pt if I can't breath.
I try to be RNtobe and I have my bad days as we all do, and I do get upset when I see people not taking care of themselves but I hope they will at least try to be healthier. I can smell smoke on others too because I dont smoke and it isnt pleasant however its not the worst smells in nursing I deal with. (reply to orangeroom)
Both of my parents were smokers and they both died of lung cancer and this was in my 20s and for a while I hated cigarettes not other smokers because they were addicted too like my parents. I then realized and my mom said this when she was dying and in hospice that she chose to smoke and her and my dad did try to quit many times but this was in the 70s and 80s before nicotine patches and gum.
I have always thought if everyone had perfect health behaviors I wouldnt have a job as a nurse. Over all most of us take care of people from the ravages of disease self inflicted and otherwise, some patients have mental disorders. I just feel like with all this self protection and alienating otherwise good people that would be nurses and as in my prior post nurses that are smokers we are going to have even less clinicians if this would catch on . I live in the Pacific Northwest in a state that tries to regulate everything and its going broke however the state sure collects the tax on the pack of cigarettes that the pariah smokers out here smoke. I dont know here where it will all end. Its kind of scary to me. Where does it end ?
nurses are science majors. as such, in the consideration of any "intervention" it is essential to weigh the best available evidence. is there any research evidence suggesting that nurses who smoke are less effective healthcare providers than nurses who do not smoke? while i applaud your efforts to insure the integrity of those entering the profession, the act of bypassing all scientific rigor to make an argument to support your opinion is just as disingenuous. i have heard anecdotally that nurses who smoke and take frequent breaks to do so annoy their non-smoker colleagues. you could conduct a research study as to the perceptions of nurses who smoke from the perspectives of patients and co-workers and add to the body of knowledge on the subject instead of adding to the body of opinion. opinions, as we all know, are a dime a dozen. this is mine.
I've watched too many fine nurses struggle with trying to quit and fail to think nursing programs should limit their student pool that way.
While it would be nice if we were all prim and perfect people and an inspiration to our patients, it just doesn't work out that way in the real world. Besides, prim and perfect people are often annoying to be around.
Besides, who's the better teacher when it comes to smoking cessation, somebody like me who has never smoked or somebody who's gone through the hellfire of quitting and succeeded? I can tell them what's available for help; the ex smoker can tell them how all of that feels and what to expect while they're going through it.
While I'd hate to see smokers banned completely from nursing, I might like to see a compromise for nurses who work in sensitive areas like cardiac units: use a non smoking nicotine delivery system (patch, gum, vaporizer) while at work so the poor patients aren't tortured by the smell of smoke on their clothing.
However, as an absolute disqualifier, it's a poor reason.
For the most part, I am very impressed with everybody who posted the responses they did. The sheer fact your going to school to be a nurse or are a nurse shows already that you not only want the money, but decided to earn a living caring for other human beings.
Alot of the responses started out with "I am NOT a smoker" almost like there is an unspoken shame in being a smoker?
So far the following has taken place over the years:
Smokers may not smoke in any public establishment including bars
Smokers may not smoke within 50-300 feet from the entrance to any public place
Smokers may not smoke in our public parks
Smokers may not smoke in their own vehicles with anyone under 16
Smoker must refrain from smoking in areas (even legal ones) where children can see it
Smokers must go outside their homes to smoke if a non smoker complains or DSS will be called
Smokers may not smoke in the parking lots or on the property of Walmart, Target, Lowes etc
Smokers may not be hired in certain professions and will be tested for nicotine prior to hiring.
A pack of cigarettes in NY is close to $10.00 a pack - $100.00 a carton!
With that said, and seeing the rights of a legal activity being done by a law abiding citizen, being taken away it absolutely amazed me to see the subject heading here on Allnurses.com. Beating down smokers has been so heavy and so pro active over the past decade I have wondered if there isnt something more behind it?
When I did my training in the local hospital for my EMT-D all the doctors and most of the nurses smoked outside. Yes this surprised me as the media says smoking kills and is so bad etc... Not that it doesnt just saying.
Now I expect to see the following take place in the next 10 years:
USPS banned the shipping of tobacco already,
Fed Ex banned the shipping of tobacco already
UPS banned the shipping of tobacco already
Planned parenthood already stopped giving out the pill if your over 35 and are a smoker
Credit card companies to deny credit to smokers as they could use the card to buy tobacco products.
DMV's to ban license to smokers as they could use their car to drive to buy tobacco
Public transportation to ban smokers as their smokers cough could cause a pandemic
Insurance companies to take final step in denying coverage to a smoker
When I see posts like this in this venue I cant help but fear that a Dr. and or nurses could very well offer me medical treatment for something totally unrelated to smoking in a sub sufficient way to speed my demise and there by lower the cost of medical needs? With all the stigma and beating down of a smoker nobody can say with certainty this wont or hasnt already happened?
If the OP chose this subject for her / his paper, then it is people like him/her who has caused such a ruckus over a legal activity, If it was the professor who assigned the paper, then it is being forced down the throats of all students to stigmatize smokers from the education on down the line.
On channel 10 a commercial will come on and say that smoking is the number 1 leading cause of death in the US
On chennel 21 a commercial will say that Obesity is the number 1 leading cause of death in the US
On channel 48 a commercial will say that Hypertension is the number one leading cause of death in the US
With so many different number one caused of death out there what the hell is the actual number one cause? All of your new non FDA approved medicine commercials out there have a statement now that says not to take the meds if you smoke as it can increase the risks of this and that? really?
5+ years ago there was a series of commercials from the public service commission that leaned towards the children and smoking. How easy it was for them to see ciggerette posters in the stores, how the stores were forced to move the poster off the main counter and on to the wall behind them? so what the child cant read it if its on a wall only if its on a counter?
Then a year later there were 2 commercials where the same agency ran 2 commercials depicting two to five year olds smoking a cigarette in their mouth, bragging about how each were dying of lung cancer, heart disease and the like? Now whos exploiting children? It was obviously never about children.
All in all I cant for the life of me figure out why Americans havent stood up in solidarity to voice their distain towards the out right theft of rights where it comes to making a life choice in smoking a legal substance, etc and so it continues on and on and on.
As a fire chief/EMT-D I have responded to so many deaths over the years caused by drinking, pills, illegal drugs, a few gun shots, but I can say to all of you with certainty that never because someone was smoking and died. Yes it takes time and my mother of 84 years old is still taking her time while smoking, but then so dies drinking when it destroys the liver, and obesity when it caused the hypertension, and there are a slew of others.
In closing, I sincerely hope with all my heart that when the time comes and I must be hospitalized for anything at all, that I do not get a nurse with the OP view, even questioning it as I am positive I will get much better treatment, much more dignified care from anyone else than he/her.
PS: I wont mention all the side effects of the new meds on tv and how many of them even have in their disclaimer that side effect includes DEATH! really?
Specializes in Med/surg, ER/ED,rehab ,nursing home.
Smokers get breaks. Since they have to leave the Campus, they get longer breaks. Guess who doesn't get an equal break? The non-smoker. I did a time study while in school back when smoking was legal on the floor. Smokers took 10 min of every hour to smoke, plus their breaks, and lunch. Made extra work for non-smokers. I would think that if you could keep from smelling like an ash tray, it should not be a problem. Some patients are very smoke intolerent. But the nurses that I have worked with these past years did not smell of smokes, used breath freshener, brushed teeth. A can of worms could be opened on this. What about nurses that become diabetic, have seizures, etc.? Should they be kept out of a nursing school or job? If what you do does not cause problems with your job, or intergrity then there is no arguement.
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
Smoking is different from over-eating because smoking is a DRUG addiction.
We don't allow alcoholics, another legal "drug" to work because they are impaired.
Smokers, with the stinch from cigarettes that is constanty on their clothes, impairs patients with respiratory disorders not to mention second hand smoke...even if it is just on their clothes.
Another way you can "curb" smokers from a nursing program is for the clinical instructor to ahve a policy that students cannot go outside for breaks or lunch...now that would make keeping your fix for a 10 or 12 hour shift, very difficult.
To me, it is right in line with many new hospital policies on smoking...if you get caught smoking on HOSPITAL PROPERTY, yes, that is parking lot, your car (that is on the parking lot), etc...you get one warning then termination.
(reply to orangeroom)
Where does it end ?
Psychtrish39, BSN, RN
290 Posts
I am aware of what a argument is based on for a paper but most pre nursing majors are taking base classes not senior electives and also how she mentioned the paper was part of a class as a prereq to nursing school is very odd . However how the OP originally stated her question ,and how she has never came back to see what we think is someone not wanting to do a logical argument like a person may have to do in a bioethics course . I was just agreeing with Pixie and I went to college and still am going to college with some people who do their best to try to get others to think for them.
If she had came back and posted and responded I would think she was for real.