Smokers in Nursing School--How Are You Treated?

[SarahMaria]

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?

[SarahMaria, MSN, RN]

You're allowed to take smoke breaks during clinicals??

Of course not. We get a 30 minute meal break. Sometimes we eat and then go outside, or I just go outside and not eat at all.

[SarahMaria, MSN, RN]

Interesting how no smokers have commented. Yet so many non-smokers with negative things to say about smoking and healthcare, nursing school, etc. I find it very, very interesting...

[VeggieLadie]

I think that the nurse is someone who is to promote health and wellness, and I question how seriously someone can take a smoking nurse. Much like I think it's easy to dismiss an overweight doctor telling someone that they could lose a few pounds.

The other side of the coin as I see it is that people, regardless of status, career, etc. are all capable of the same mistakes/flaws/poor choices...we are all people with the same weaknesses and potential for downfall.

I am a smoker who has been trying to quit for the last few years...it's pathetic. I don't smoke at work and try to avoid smoking around other people because it smells disgusting, offends/sickens other people, and to be honest I simply hate smelling like smoke.

I have been stepping up my quit plans as I don't want to smoke when I am in clinicals because I want to be taken seriously and I don't think I can do that with a cigarette hanging from my lip and my hands and breath smelling of smoke.

[oklahomagal]

I try to raise my children to understand that choices like smoking do not make anyone less of a person. As nurses or future nurses I would generally think that we are a more understanding crowd than the general public, however I may be wrong about that assumption.

VeggieLadie, You are taking the first steps towards quitting! I am proud of you! When you have backed off as much as you have the next step is completely quitting. I too cut back gradually and had the same desires as you, I didnt want people smelling it on me and stuff. The next step I took was deciding I wanted to improve my life for myself and completly quit on my birthday. I could tell a few months later that even my breathing had improved when I was physically exerting myself. You can do it!

[OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN]

I have to say it's funny how horribly mean some of these responses are. I am an ex-smoker and I know what you mean. It's funny how critical people are of smoking and are so eager to voice it. There are many many unhealthy habits that so many engage in. For one I know our country has one of the biggest problems with obesity and very few are actually at a healthy weight and drinking!!! I know in patho so many many diseases began with lack of diet and excercise, drinking, and yes smoking. I know smoking is stinky and what not but I've met a few of the other mentioned kind that are as well. Why attack one unhealthy habit? Really as medical professionals we should want to prevent all unhealthy habits, not just pick one taht we don't personally engage in and attack it.

Let the smokers be and if you do... well hell they're not gonna be around that long anyhow lol sorry jk kinda

[Boog'sCRRN246, RN]

Of course not. We get a 30 minute meal break. Sometimes we eat and then go outside, or I just go outside and not eat at all.

I guess count yourself as lucky that you're even allowed to smoke during clinical time, in your clinical uniform. In my program, it was against school policy to smoke during clinical time (meal break or not) or anywhere on hospital property (designated or not).

[Jane Doe 1]

No one really has any pity for smokers. It's a terrible habit in so many ways, and in this day and age everyone learns all the drawbacks of smoking before they ever start. I think a person should be able to make it through a shift without having to smoke.

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

Interesting how no smokers have commented. Yet so many non-smokers with negative things to say about smoking and healthcare, nursing school, etc. I find it very, very interesting...

I certainly didn't mean to come across as rude or negative.. just honest. I'm sure there are smokers who don't want to fess up to the habit (which in and of itself should say something) but for the most part, smokers are in the minority. Less people are getting hooked as teens and thus aren't starting in the first place. A lot of young and middle age adults are quitting due to the high prices of cigarettes, health insurance, and the like. The older smokers are dying off (be it old age or smoking related). You could say smokers are a dying (no pun intended) breed.

No smokers are commenting? Probably because there aren't a ton of you out there.

Edited to add: I don't believe smokers get 'special' breaks that non-smokers aren't entitled to. Smokers choose to use their break time to smoke while other may use it to get a cup of coffee and sit in t he break room reading a magazine, some may use it to go outside for fresh air and a phone call, some may choose not to take a break at all. Smokers may be more motivated to make sure they get their breaks, but that doesn't make it unfair because you don't speak up and make sure you get your fair breaks too.

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

Interesting how no smokers have commented. Yet so many non-smokers with negative things to say about smoking and healthcare, nursing school, etc. I find it very, very interesting...

I used to smoke for many years, I quit cold turkey, My husband was a smoker and just switched to an electronic ciggs. It's not a cure, still getting nicotine, but it's a huge step away from all that comes with an actual cigg and it's not harmful to anyone else, it's steam or vapor that comes out.

Anyway, that said, even when I was a smoker I am for the bans. First of all, a hospital of all places would be a #1 place that smoking doesn't need to be around. I can not stand when I smell the staff come in smelling like a cig. It's not good for the patients or the people around. Smokers never realize how bad they smell because one, smoking messes with your sense of smell and two) you get used to it and it doesn't smell as strong. I know this from first hand experience, so I am not just saying this as a now Non smoker.

I didn't like the bans in bars because when I was drinking was when I would smoke the most. So that was a pain. But I am all for the bans regardless. I am for not allowing employees not being able to smoke during their shift, you can't rid of the smell, I don't care how "careful" you think you are, the patients especially should not have to deal with it.

Look into the electronic cig. My husband has tried everything to stop smoking, this is the first thing he has stuck to and he can puff on it in an airplane, car, in the living room. It doesn't effect anyone else.

I don't have much sympathy for the "it's to hard to quit" and stuff. There is help out there, it can be done, it just takes a little will power and self discipline.

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

I have to say it's funny how horribly mean some of these responses are. I am an ex-smoker and I know what you mean. It's funny how critical people are of smoking and are so eager to voice it. There are many many unhealthy habits that so many engage in. For one I know our country has one of the biggest problems with obesity and very few are actually at a healthy weight and drinking!!! I know in patho so many many diseases began with lack of diet and excercise, drinking, and yes smoking. I know smoking is stinky and what not but I've met a few of the other mentioned kind that are as well. Why attack one unhealthy habit? Really as medical professionals we should want to prevent all unhealthy habits, not just pick one taht we don't personally engage in and attack it.

Let the smokers be and if you do... well hell they're not gonna be around that long anyhow lol sorry jk kinda

I agree drinking and obesity are huge issues as well. But smoking effects everyone around you directly. You're risking their health as well. Honestly, after my last rotation in the hospital, I don't see how Drinking or Smoking were ever made legal. Especially compared to some other substances that are illegal. I never realized how bad alcohol was on the body until this last stint. I mean I know it's bad to be an alcoholic and stuff, but I just never saw how common and severe it was.

[sharpeimom]

i remembered this:

tobacco is a nasty weed

from the devil comes the seed

it stains your fingers

and stinks your clothes

and makes a stovepipe out of your nose

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

Honestly, after my last rotation in the hospital, I don't see how Drinking or Smoking were ever made legal. Especially compared to some other substances that are illegal.

Because prohibition doesn't work. Alcohol once was illegal, it was a disaster. If it were illegal again, the sale and distribution of alcohol will go to illegal, black market dealers just like all other illegal drugs/substances. There would be no regulation. No taxation. And it would be a LOT harder to keep it out of the hands of teenagers. When I was a teen, it was so easy to obtain an illegal drug and extremely difficult to obtain alcohol. Drug dealers have no motivation to sell kids alcohol.. but illegal drugs.. that is where the money is and they don't require ID in order to buy.

One of the best things this country did was make it illegal for kids under 18 to purchase cigarettes.. again, had they made it completely illegal for anyone to smoke, the black market would kick in and ruthless dealers would have no issue selling to kids.. no ID needed.\

I have no problem with highly regulating dangerous substances and taxing the hell out of them. Adults should have the final choice on what they put in their body. Are there people who become addicted? sure. But the majority of drinkers are casual or occasional drinkers. There is no reason one shouldn't be able to enjoy a glass of wine with dinner.

Okay- off my soapbox.