Smokers in Nursing School--How Are You Treated?

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Jan 3, 2011

I have burn scar from someone's flicked cigarette, hitting me and then falling in the back seat of my car.

All I can say is I am sorry, from the bottom of my heart that I was so stupid, careless, and inconsiderate to have flicked a cigarette out of the car way back in the day. Even though it's unlikely I personally am responsible for your burn, I do take responsibility for once being that idiot.

I think there are considerate smokers out there. I know a few, actually.. but for everyone else, unfortunately, it's going to take them quitting and opening their eyes to get a change of attitude. I only speak from experience with this one.

justashooter · Jan 3, 2011

I was digging through volumes of minutes related to the United Nations Ministers Plenipotentiary Permanent of 1967-8 looking for items related to the "two Chinas" policy of the Nixon Administration.

interesting. my focus has been in regard to the "one china" problem until recently.

i am sure we would have lots to talk about.

taalyn_1, CNA · Jan 31, 2011

It always puzzles me that so many of those who I guess are trying to save our country, albeit in a really twisted way, are so uniformly obnoxious when trying to convince others of the validity of their viewpoint. If you are way up there in the stratospheric percentiles of intelligence, why would you choose to engage in such obviously counterproductive behavior?
quote]
to me, this is exactly what Non-smokers are doing to smokers.

allnurses Guide · Jan 31, 2011

. . .to me, this is exactly what Non-smokers are doing to smokers.

. . . and here I thought we'd stipulated that non-smokers who claim their respiratory ailments are exacerbated and their hair and clothes made smelly by smokers polluting their air are telling the truth. If you feel there is a possibility that further convincing on that point is needed, it isn't the least bit surprising to me that you would find such efforts to be obnoxious.

Nurse0621 · Feb 1, 2011

I am a smoker and at work I take my smoke breaks when my scheduled breaks are. We are allowed to smoke off hospital property on the public sidewalk. When I go back inside to work I always wash my hands and pop a piece of gum in. I have heard from many co-workers that they would not have known I smoke because I don't totally reek of it. I shower daily and am hygienic, I've never had a patient ask me if I smoke or complain that I stink.

HyperSaurus, RN, BSN · Feb 1, 2011

Honestly, I don't really have a great deal of sympathy towards smokers. Whatever you do in your home and car is your business. But like many other non-smokers, I hate the smell of smoke and it makes me sick. It makes no sense to subject others to the ill effects of your habit.

CuriousMe · Feb 1, 2011

I am a smoker and at work I take my smoke breaks when my scheduled breaks are. We are allowed to smoke off hospital property on the public sidewalk. When I go back inside to work I always wash my hands and pop a piece of gum in. I have heard from many co-workers that they would not have known I smoke because I don't totally reek of it. I shower daily and am hygienic, I've never had a patient ask me if I smoke or complain that I stink.

If I can physically distance myself from a person who smells of smoke (they don't need to reek of it, smelling like it is bad enough), then I don't say anything.

I only say something if due to circumstances I'm unable to physically avoid it. The only reason I say anything at all, is that I'll get a secondary reaction and have an asthma attack at a later time from breathing in the smoke residue on clothing and in their hair.

It's great that coworkers have mentioned that they don't smell smoke on you....but patients are often much closer to us, and they may or may not feel comfortable enough to tell you.

Truly, the only way to be sure that you don't still have smoke on your clothes or in your hair....is to shower and change after smoking. Not feasible I know, but it's the only sure-fire way.

metricalpound · Feb 1, 2011

I'm a former smoker.

I understand smokers being upset of having to find the small places to smoke in some public places like amusement parks and etc.

But at a hospital? Come on - just walk across the street or wherever your smoking area is and smoke there.

SarahMaria, MSN, RN · Feb 1, 2011

Honestly, I don't really have a great deal of sympathy towards smokers. Whatever you do in your home and car is your business. But like many other non-smokers, I hate the smell of smoke and it makes me sick. It makes no sense to subject others to the ill effects of your habit.

To work in health care, it is important to understand and have some consideration for individuals who suffer with addiction. You will be caring for these people in the future and compassion is an essential component of nursing. Addiction is not a choice, but a disease. Try not to think of smokers (or other addicts) with disgust. When you work in health care, you will be subjected to all sorts of "ill effects" of patients behaviors.

HyperSaurus, RN, BSN · Feb 1, 2011

Errrm, I get that. I'm a cashier currently, I sell 50-100 packs of cigarettes a day. Not only do I not give them their millionth lecture about how it's bad for them (unlike some of my coworkers and even other customers), but when THEY comment of the unhealthiness of their habit, I remind them that everyone has their vices, including me. I come from a family of smokers--I know just how addictive it is and how bad some of them feel about it.

As a student, I have cared for people who have made very bad life choices or even hurt others. I don't let that get in the way of my care for them--when I am their nurse (student nurse, currently), they are my patient, just like everyone else, and thus receive compassionate, competent care.

But--I still have very little sympathy towards smokers regarding things like public smoking or not being able to smoke on hospital grounds. There's no reason that non-smokers need to be subjected to the harmful cigarette smoke. Personally, it makes me very nauseous and several people close to me are asthmatics. It's wonderful for non-smokers to actually go to a restaurant for a nice meal and not have to worry about smoke any more. It's great as a patient (yes, I've been a patient) not to have to be as concerned about my caretakers reeking of smoke.

AZ_LPN_8_26_13 · Feb 1, 2011

I am a smoker (I know, I know), and I am in my third semester of nursing school. Often, especially at clinicals, my fellow smokers and I are looked upon as common criminals. Always, there is some sort of smoking ban on hospital property, therefore, we pariahs must go to a designated location which is usually far away, across the street, in a dangerous neighborhood. Is anyone else feeling like a leper for engaging in a legal activity?

I know you've probably been told this a million times, but if you are going to be a nurse (or a doctor even) you should seriously think about quitting.

I work at a hospital where we have a total smoking ban. You aren't even allowed to smoke in the parking lot in your own car. I see patients in hospital gowns with IV poles at their side sitting at the bus stops on the sidewalk (where smoking is allowed) smoking their cigarettes. We advise against it, but cannot force them to remain if they want to do something AMA. The whole thing is bad all around - the best option is not to smoke in the first place and don't give your future patients the "but you smoke too" excuse. BTW - I used to be a smoker myself so I know what it is like, and how much you can crave a cigarette.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Feb 2, 2011

I am a smoker and at work I take my smoke breaks when my scheduled breaks are. We are allowed to smoke off hospital property on the public sidewalk. When I go back inside to work I always wash my hands and pop a piece of gum in. I have heard from many co-workers that they would not have known I smoke because I don't totally reek of it. I shower daily and am hygienic, I've never had a patient ask me if I smoke or complain that I stink.

Most people are nice enough not to say anything. We all smell it. Just no one says anything.