Smokers in Nursing School--How Are You Treated?

Published

:smokin: I am a smoker :smokin: (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 also felt really good when I gave my patient a bath and she told me I smelled good... :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Upset visitors have other restrictions besides smoking ( I know my Dad wants a shot of Irish when he's upset...should the hospital start allowing drinking?)....

Just a side note....the hospital where we do our clinicals allows patients in certain circumstances to have alcohol. Example: say they have an 85 year old patient who has had a nip of whiskey every night before bed for 60 years; that patient may be allowed to have that shot before bed to maintain as much normalcy as possible during thier stay. It's not common, but I do know that it is allowed.

As for the smoking thing - I don't think any staff or students should be allowed to smoke during their shift. Smokers just don't comprehend how awful they smell. There is one student in our class who goes outside, fires up, and comes back reeking so badly I almost can't stand to sit next to him - and he thinks that chewing a stick of gum is going to help. It's repulsive. I can only imagine what a patient thinks when a person who is supposed to represent healthly living smells so obviously of smoke.

And - I'm sorry if this is offensive, but I also think it's unprofessional. Smoking is associated with people from less educated social classes. I'm not saying that is true, because people from all walks of life smoke. However, I'd say that when people think of "smokers," they think of people from uneducated social backgrounds. I think smelling of smoke automatically casts an RN in a less flattering light to the patient. Unless they smoke, of course...then they can't smell it anyway. :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
Once again I clearly stated in my second post that I did not in any way agree with second hand smoke and whole-heartedly agreed it was good that it is not allowed at hospitals or most anywhere. My point once again I will state is that the smokers are addicts. They need help to quit not just to be told how disgusting they are. An overweight poerson with dm wouldn't be told how horrid they are, they would be taught about the importance of good nutrition and excercise. Someone with a drinking or drug problem would be offered rehabilitation and other forms of help.

My point is I feel better to attack the companies that mass produce cigarettes then the smoker that is so strongly addicted. I know when I was a smoker people telling me how awful and disgusting it was never helped it just made me want a cigarette more. Maybe if someone just offered me some advice on how to quit I would have tried then and listened to them.

And yes the last thing you quoted from me was a joke. And I've done more then watch a stranger suffer from COPD. I have someone I love very much suffering from it now and I know how bad it is so please don't assume things. It was a lighthearted joke-nothing more-so please don't make more of it.

Nobody called smokers disgusting or horrid. Nor did the subject of patient education come up at all. Your post simply said that you felt smokers shouldn't be singled out because there are obese people and drug addicts in this world as well and I tried to explain why smoking was in a different category. Several other people made the same point. I told you that my entire post wasn't about you and apologized for sounding harsh and you are still defensive. There's no point in repeating all that again.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
Once again I clearly stated in my second post that I did not in any way agree with second hand smoke and whole-heartedly agreed it was good that it is not allowed at hospitals or most anywhere. My point once again I will state is that the smokers are addicts. They need help to quit not just to be told how disgusting they are. An overweight poerson with dm wouldn't be told how horrid they are, they would be taught about the importance of good nutrition and excercise. Someone with a drinking or drug problem would be offered rehabilitation and other forms of help.

My point is I feel better to attack the companies that mass produce cigarettes then the smoker that is so strongly addicted. I know when I was a smoker people telling me how awful and disgusting it was never helped it just made me want a cigarette more. Maybe if someone just offered me some advice on how to quit I would have tried then and listened to them.

And yes the last thing you quoted from me was a joke. And I've done more then watch a stranger suffer from COPD. I have someone I love very much suffering from it now and I know how bad it is so please don't assume things. It was a lighthearted joke-nothing more-so please don't make more of it.

Nobody called smokers disgusting or horrid. Nor did the subject of patient education come up at all. Your post, which referred to the first 15 posts, simply said that you felt smokers shouldn't be singled out because there are obese people and drug addicts in this world as well and I tried to explain why smoking was in a different category. Several other people made the same point. I told you that my entire post wasn't about you and apologized for sounding harsh and you are still defensive. There's no point in repeating all that again.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Labor and Delivery.
Nobody called smokers disgusting or horrid. Nor did the subject of patient education come up at all. Your post, which referred to the first 15 posts, simply said that you felt smokers shouldn't be singled out because there are obese people and drug addicts in this world as well and I tried to explain why smoking was in a different category. Several other people made the same point. I told you that my entire post wasn't about you and apologized for sounding harsh and you are still defensive. There's no point in repeating all that again.

I was not trying to be completely literal with those exact words but anyhow I wasn't trying to be defensive I just felt you greatly misunderstood my post. Sorry if I came off that way its been a rough week for me..I've been trapped in my tiny house with two very lil ones, both my husband and my car broken down so I guess I was a bit over sensitive, so once again I am sorry:heartbeat

Up Vote Up Vote ×

We were told during orientation not to smoke on breaks during our clinicals. I dont care what other people do, but as for myself Im a non-smoker.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
I was not trying to be completely literal with those exact words but anyhow I wasn't trying to be defensive I just felt you greatly misunderstood my post. Sorry if I came off that way its been a rough week for me..I've been trapped in my tiny house with two very lil ones, both my husband and my car broken down so I guess I was a bit over sensitive, so once again I am sorry:heartbeat

It's OK. My kids all grown but I can remember the stress of 2 sick little ones - sometimes the family would spend the season passing that cr@p back and forth. A trip to the local convenience store all by yourself becomes a thrill at that point.:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm a smoker, but I have no problem with people being judgmental about it. Heck, I'm just as judgmental about the drinkers, the weed smokers, the drug addicts, and the huge fat people cramming another twinkie down their food holes (and I know nurses and nursing students who fit into each of these categories, some more than one). They choose their vices, I choose mine. I don't smoke around anyone other than other smokers so we're all just hurting each other I guess :smokin: Feel free to judge me! :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatry, Forensics, Addictions.
As for Psych patients, I know on the Acute Psych unit I did clinicals on, patients were offered either a nicotrol inhaler or a nicotine patch. They weren't allowed smoke, or drink alcohol....it didn't cause any violence that I witnessed.

I have worked on Acute Psych for 8+ years. When some patients come in and realize they can't smoke, it can become a major problem. Immediately, the patient wants to leave. This isn't going to happen even if they signed themself in voluntarily on a Voluntary Paper or they are on a PEC. So, we get into a verbal argument about why they are unable to leave. Staff attempts to offer the patient a nicotine patch or nicotine gum which is usually refused. The patient will continue to escalate because they are frustrated with the no-smoking policy and their legal status. Sometimes, the patient will lash out physically, throw objects/furniture, and/or threaten staff because they are so agitated. This will result in the patient being IMed and placed in seclusion or restraints because he/she is a danger to self/others. Or a patient may attempt to escape from the locked unit. Or a patient may rile other patients up and cause a major disturbance.

I don't see the value in prohibiting smoking for acutely ill psychiatric patients. At times, it can actually do a lot of damage. Why subject a patient to severe frustration, anxiety, agitation, forced medication, and restraints because he/she can't smoke in addition to his/her psychiatric crisis for which they were hospitalized?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatry, Forensics, Addictions.
I'm a smoker, but I have no problem with people being judgmental about it. Heck, I'm just as judgmental about the drinkers, the weed smokers, the drug addicts, and the huge fat people cramming another twinkie down their food holes (and I know nurses and nursing students who fit into each of these categories, some more than one). They choose their vices, I choose mine. I don't smoke around anyone other than other smokers so we're all just hurting each other I guess :smokin: Feel free to judge me! :D

I also am a smoker. I couldn't care less what anyone thinks about it. I don't feel stigmatized.

But I do not judge anyone for any activity they may engage in. I will never judge nor discriminate against any individual for any behavior that society considers unhealthy, undesireable, illegal, or bad. I think to work in the healthcare field, it is essential not to judge any individual no matter what they do. If your patient is a heroin addict with HIV or a sweet elderly woman, they all need to be treated equally.

I'll get off my soap box.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I have worked on Acute Psych for 8+ years. When some patients come in and realize they can't smoke, it can become a major problem. Immediately, the patient wants to leave. This isn't going to happen even if they signed themself in voluntarily on a Voluntary Paper or they are on a PEC. So, we get into a verbal argument about why they are unable to leave. Staff attempts to offer the patient a nicotine patch or nicotine gum which is usually refused. The patient will continue to escalate because they are frustrated with the no-smoking policy and their legal status. Sometimes, the patient will lash out physically, throw objects/furniture, and/or threaten staff because they are so agitated. This will result in the patient being IMed and placed in seclusion or restraints because he/she is a danger to self/others. Or a patient may attempt to escape from the locked unit. Or a patient may rile other patients up and cause a major disturbance.

I don't see the value in prohibiting smoking for acutely ill psychiatric patients. At times, it can actually do a lot of damage. Why subject a patient to severe frustration, anxiety, agitation, forced medication, and restraints because he/she can't smoke in addition to his/her psychiatric crisis for which they were hospitalized?

I've been working in acute psych since long before the units finally went smoke-free, and I've v. rarely seen the scenario you describe since the changeover (to smokefree). In my experience, most psych clients are already aware, or made aware prior to the actual admission (like, in the ED during the psych eval), that they're not going to be able to smoke in the hospital -- they're only concerned about how soon they can get a nicotine patch. I was working as a psych hospital surveyor for my state during the time when all the hospitals were going smokefree, talked about this at all the psych units in my state, and they all reported that the switch had not been nearly as disruptive as they had been expecting -- clients accepted the change with v. little difficulty.

The "value" in prohibiting smoking for psych patients??? Because the rest of us don't want to have to breathe the smoke, go home stinking of cigarette smoke, and develop health problems from secondary smoke. If I wanted that poison and filth in my lungs, I'd smoke. I spent years having to breathe clients' smoke and go home with my hair and clothes reeking of it, and I'm extremely glad that I don't have to put up with that any more to work in my chosen specialty.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I DO feel sorry for family members who need to smoke. I mean if your mama is in the last stages of dying or your kid is in PICU or your husband just had a heart attack it is NOT the time to quit your pack a day habit. And a thirty minute walk to get off the hospital property is time away from your loved one. I think we need like rooms with vents or something for these family members for three reasons. One it would be considerate. Two it would cut down on all the smokers in the staircases and garages that are never caught but we all have to smell. Three it would end the lovely ring of smokers that surround our property...... we have all these patients (complete with IV pole and sometimes foley chamber) and visitors that surround the property under trees puffing away.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion