Smokers need not apply?

Published

So I've reached my 2 year mark & getting a little restless, toying with the idea of moving into a different dept or facility. I was looking at a website for another hospital & they have posted that they will no longer hire anyone that uses nicotine which will be screened for during the employment physical. Not an issue for me, but I found the bold underlined statement a little jarring. I understand that in healthcare we want to promote healthy lifestyles, but dictating personal legal habits to employees is a bit of a push don't you think? Is this common in other areas & just reaching my neck of the woods?

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Howardhughes, it's ALREADY happening...insurances have "wellness" programs where they measure body index, glucose and cholesterol monitoring. They have a points program where if you accumulate enough points, your premiums are at a lower rate; employers "credit" the employees. Where I work it is 30 dollars per pay period for the "credit"...the "incentive" is that you get an extra 30 dollars in you pay, when in reality, you are getting a small discount off your insurance...

It comes out to be the same amount as when I had private insurance with the additional 30 dollars/pay...I didn't have a deductible; but my prescription deductible sucked...my prescription plan with my employer is MUCH better than private insurance. :yes:

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Specializes in RN.

I never had the intention of being "someone's ultimate role model" when getting into nursing. It's all beaurocratic bull crap!!! I don't understand how anyone can applaud freedoms being taken away, but then I understand our culture less and less each day. A lot of self righteous blokes out there. Yes, the system iWork for tests for nicotine....BS!!

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Personally I am glad this rule is being implemented. I have requested a different nurse before because the one I had reeked of cigarette smoke. Like other posters have stated, if you dont like the rule, don't work there. Or quit smoking.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Well see, everyone is complaining about individual freedoms. But you know, employers, they have so little freedoms if you think about it. They have to take all the financial risk, the legal risk. They are always getting attacked for the income they bring home, the increased taxes liberals feel they SHOULD be forced to pay...they have racial quotas, gender quotas of who to hire.

Don't get me wrong, I think it sucks that people should be discriminated against, for whatever reason. All things being equal; gender, ethnic background, weight, etc, so long as your work is not being affected, you don't cost more for your employer, we should get the same opportunities. BUT, I think the employers ought to have personal rights too. They take the highest risks, the business is theirs, why can't they have the right to hire who they want?

FWIW, I have a BMI that has me in the overweight category, still trying to work off the baby weight lol.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
And your beliefs should be how policies are made? Or how about evidence?
I have never said my beliefs should be policy.

Any one can produce data to reflect a desired outcome. While I think we should pay attention to them....I also believe that if entire departments didn't depend on the outcome to maintain financing and their salary...studies ...I believe would be more objective. As long as financial gain is involved supporting the researchers and the researchers support the facilities...... I believe anyone can manipulate data and documentation to reflect the desired outcome....it is just that...a belief. My personal opinion...nothing more....noting less. No evidence necessary. An opinion.....and we all know what they say about opinions...everybody has one.

I think that every time a law is passed....a freedom is removed. While laws are necessary for society to function...I DO NOT believe I need to have the government AND my work in my personal business, in MY home. All up in my face, dictating how I must live my life.

I guess I am child of the 70's and being wary of "The establishment" and big brother is second nature......this is a dangerous path of non resistance that the public is being duped into believe it is for the greater good. Every law that is passed, every rule that is made, every exclusion lends itself to a freedom is being taken away.....allowing Bigotry to take hold.....an attempt to make that EXCLUSIVE society ruled by that top 2%.

I have as much empathy for "THE EMPLOYER" and hospitals as I do Lehman Brothers, Wall Street, The Banks, The Auto industry, the Government, and Bernie Madoff.

Taking away your freedoms....coming in to your home telling you how to live your life. What to wear, what to eat.........It's a slow insidious process and the next thing you know you have a select exclusive few in charge of it all......“Experience has shown, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.”

― Thomas Jefferson

These hospitals could care less about you and your health and whether or not you smoke.....give me a break. I once said I would quit smoking when children didn't die of gunshot woulds in school....sad that once applied to gang violence in the schools. I had to quit because I wanted to stop smoking and it was clear that violence in our schools would NEVER be a priority.

It is my belief and opinion that hospitals should be smoke free. I don't however believe that they should be drug testing people for a legal substance and refusing people gainful employment....or that as a part of a job interview a scale should be involved.

Bigotry is bigotry......as long as someone who, as a result of their prejudices, treats other people with fear, distrust, hatred, contempt, or intolerance on the basis of a person's ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, or other characteristics.

However......my opinion doesn't count. I'm a fat lazy smelly ex-smoker.

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If I was a little more paranoid, I would think that the latest trend is to squeeze people of working-class backgrounds out of nursing altogether. Where else do you find the greatest concentration of smokers, ASN grads and obese people?

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Specializes in RN.

I believe you are absolutely on to something that is not mere paranoia.

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Specializes in RN.

Wish we had a "like 1 million times" button for this post. I only got to "like" it once.

It truly is amazing at the amount of "followers" we have in our society now. Watch out people who where glasses or contacts!!! YOU are a disgusting specimen of perfection, and WE need to put forth an image that those who take care of you are all perfect people. If you can't see perfectly, STAY HOME. Our scores will suffer if these degenerate patients see someone with imperfect vision...OK, over stated, yes. IS the notion THAT FAR off....sadly NO. So, WHO could possibly think that there is anything good that comes from this type of bullying and discrimination????

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Specializes in RN.
I have never said my beliefs should be policy.

Any one can produce data to reflect a desired outcome. While I think we should pay attention to them....I also believe that if entire departments didn't depend on the outcome to maintain financing and their salary...studies ...I believe would be more objective. As long as financial gain is involved supporting the researchers and the researchers support the facilities...... I believe anyone can manipulate data and documentation to reflect the desired outcome....it is just that...a belief. My personal opinion...nothing more....noting less. No evidence necessary. An opinion.....and we all know what they say about opinions...everybody has one.

I think that every time a law is passed....a freedom is removed. While laws are necessary for society to function...I DO NOT believe I need to have the government AND my work in my personal business, in MY home. All up in my face, dictating how I must live my life.

I guess I am child of the 70's and being wary of "The establishment" and big brother is second nature......this is a dangerous path of non resistance that the public is being duped into believe it is for the greater good. Every law that is passed, every rule that is made, every exclusion lends itself to a freedom is being taken away.....allowing Bigotry to take hold.....an attempt to make that EXCLUSIVE society ruled by that top 2%.

I have as much empathy for "THE EMPLOYER" and hospitals as I do Lehman Brothers, Wall Street, The Banks, The Auto industry, the Government, and Bernie Madoff.

Taking away your freedoms....coming in to your home telling you how to live your life. What to wear, what to eat.........It's a slow insidious process and the next thing you know you have a select exclusive few in charge of it all......“Experience has shown, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.”

― Thomas Jefferson

These hospitals could care less about you and your health and whether or not you smoke.....give me a break. I once said I would quit smoking when children didn't die of gunshot woulds in school....sad that once applied to gang violence in the schools. I had to quit because I wanted to stop smoking and it was clear that violence in our schools would NEVER be a priority.

It is my belief and opinion that hospitals should be smoke free. I don't however believe that they should be drug testing people for a legal substance and refusing people gainful employment....or that as a part of a job interview a scale should be involved.

Bigotry is bigotry......as long as someone who, as a result of their prejudices, treats other people with fear, distrust, hatred, contempt, or intolerance on the basis of a person's ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, or other characteristics.

However......my opinion doesn't count. I'm a fat lazy smelly ex-smoker.

Wish we had a "like 1 million times" button for this post. I only got to "like" it once.

It truly is amazing at the amount of "followers" we have in our society now. Watch out people who where glasses or contacts!!! YOU are a disgusting specimen of perfection, and WE need to put forth an image that those who take care of you are all perfect people. If you can't see perfectly, STAY HOME. Our scores will suffer if these degenerate patients see someone with imperfect vision...OK, over stated, yes. IS the notion THAT FAR off....sadly NO. So, WHO could possibly think that there is anything good that comes from this type of bullying and discrimination????

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Taking away your freedoms....coming in to your home telling you how to live your life. What to wear, what to eat.........It's a slow insidious process and the next thing you know you have a select exclusive few in charge of it all.....

Again, no one is "taking away your freedoms" or "telling you how to live your life." You have the exact same freedom to smoke that you ever have. No one is telling you you can't smoke. Some employers are simply exercising their rights to choose not to employ smokers. I fail to see the big deal.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.
I have never said my beliefs should be policy. Any one can produce data to reflect a desired outcome. While I think we should pay attention to them....I also believe that if entire departments didn't depend on the outcome to maintain financing and their salary...studies ...I believe would be more objective. As long as financial gain is involved supporting the researchers and the researchers support the facilities...... I believe anyone can manipulate data and documentation to reflect the desired outcome....it is just that...a belief. My personal opinion...nothing more....noting less. No evidence necessary. An opinion.....and we all know what they say about opinions...everybody has one. I think that every time a law is passed....a freedom is removed. While laws are necessary for society to function...I DO NOT believe I need to have the government AND my work in my personal business in MY home. All up in my face, dictating how I must live my life. I guess I am child of the 70's and being wary of "The establishment" and big brother is second nature......this is a dangerous path of non resistance that the public is being duped into believe it is for the greater good. Every law that is passed, every rule that is made, every exclusion lends itself to a freedom is being taken away.....allowing Bigotry to take hold.....an attempt to make that EXCLUSIVE society ruled by that top 2%. I have as much empathy for "THE EMPLOYER" and hospitals as I do Lehman Brothers, Wall Street, The Banks, The Auto industry, the Government, and Bernie Madoff. Taking away your freedoms....coming in to your home telling you how to live your life. What to wear, what to eat.........It's a slow insidious process and the next thing you know you have a select exclusive few in charge of it all......“Experience has shown, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.” ― Thomas Jefferson These hospitals could care less about you and your health and whether or not you smoke.....give me a break. I once said I would quit smoking when children didn't die of gunshot woulds in school....sad that once applied to gang violence in the schools. I had to quit because I wanted to stop smoking and it was clear that violence in our schools would NEVER be a priority. It is my belief and opinion that hospitals should be smoke free. I don't however believe that they should be drug testing people for a legal substance and refusing people gainful employment....or that as a part of a job interview a scale should be involved. Bigotry is bigotry......as long as someone who, as a result of their prejudices, treats other people with fear, distrust, hatred, contempt, or intolerance on the basis of a person's ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, or other characteristics. However......my opinion doesn't count. I'm a fat lazy smelly ex-smoker.[/quote']

I truly do not like big brother either. But in this case...it's not big brother. This is about treating the patient with respect and coworkers with respect. Smokers smell, their clothing smells and they present a risk to others they are around. Children of parents who smoke outside are still more likely to have issues not found in nonsmoking houses. This applies to our patients and coworkers. You want to smoke? Make that choice but you don't have the right to cause harm to others with it...and as smokers you do cause harm to others.

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Specializes in RN.

I see why people agree with this. But I fail to see it as reasonable. Come on, if someone smokes at home, it's legal....but they can't be hired because of their choices?? Whatever, this is only the beginning of a bad trend. Anyone who can't see this is willingly blind. It used to be legal to smoke in hospitals, and rightly so that is not tolerated anymore. But to go all the way to the other extreme???...I want a tricycle, I want a blue bike, I want more candy,, I want I want I want......stop it already!!!!!!

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