Smokers in Nursing School--How Are You Treated?

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: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?
Specializes in ortho, hospice volunteer, psych,.

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.

amen!

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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.

That's great....what about a health care professional who engages in behavior that can negatively impact a patient? Because that's what we're talking about. A health care professional who smells of smoke, can negatively impact a patient's health.

It's not about judgement, it's about calling it what it is.

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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?

By that theory, did they offer alcohol to the alcoholics? Heroin to the heroin addicts?

I mean, it's an addiction....why subject a patient to severe frustration, anxiety, agitation, forced medication and restraints because he/she can't have the addiction of their choice in addition to his/her psychiatric crisis for which they were hospitalized?

Of course not, they were treated to minimize their symptoms, while treating them for the psychiatric crisis for which they were hospitalized. How is smoking different (other than the negative health effects to everyone around them)?

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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.

This is not about stigmatizing or judging the fact that you smoke. I for one understand it is a very difficult addiction and not easy to quit. This is about the quality of care you give to your patient. Your own personal hygeine plays a very important part in the care of your patient. You come in reeking of cigarette smoke especially in a psych unit where they are not allowed to smoke will trigger certain behaviors in those patients who do smoke. I also mentioned in my post that smoking and then hovering over a patient is very inconsiderate. What if this patient suffers from severe allergies? What if the patient just quit smoking a few days ago.. What if the smell reminds a patient that they lost a loved one to smoking? I am a smoker but I think about all those things before I go on a cigarette break at a hospital.:down:. I would never do that!! :eek::eek: But then that's me, and my committment to my patients and the respect I have for my patients and my profession. It just think it is a very selfish, insensitive and disrespectful thing to have your patients smell cigarettes all over the person taking care of them... UGH!!! I'm suprised they don't request a new nurse... I know I would. (and Im a smoker..trying soooo hard to quit)

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Specializes in PD,Nxstage,hemo.

Okay....if you smoke:

-you smell like a chimmeny

-your hand are always dirty bc you always have a cig in your hand

-your killing your lungs

-yourkilling other people's lungs including my son's 8 yr old lungs

-your house smells bad

-your clothes smell bad

-and to top it all off your a Nurse...nurse's not only care for pt's but we are also educator's (pt education). Picture that you giving education to a COPD pt.

So sure have at.........

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I don't think the person is at all in question with his/her commitment to healthcare. Geez. Out of the two dozen respiratory therapists I've known I bet only one didn't smoke. Guess what they do all day? Provide healthcare to smokers, lol. Exaggeration but point made.

Do you ever eat fried food, cheeseburgers, or perhaps a Snickers?

Actually, I don't very often at all.

Still, I expect any patients I would have (in the future, as I'm still a student) would expect me to walk my talk, and not appear to be unhealthy if I was extending advice to them.

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I am a smoker and am beginning nursing school very soon. I was considering this topic as I sat through orientation about a month ago and as I walked out of the school towards my car I saw the DON outside smoking. I was shocked, but also relieved :)

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I appreciate all the "you smell like smoke" stuff and I take care not to reek of cigarettes when I'm giving pt care. Wish I could say the same for alot of nurses I've seen who are severely overweight and have a nice "aroma" that comes from sweating profusely and other assorted odors that are nauseating.

Personally, whether or not I was a smoker, I would prefer that my nurse smokes rather than have one that is diverting my meds, coming in hungover, high or can't (or won't) provide timely care because he or she is obese and it's an ordeal to walk down the hall or perfom physical tasks that a "healthier" nurse can perform with ease. Not to mention one of the nursing supervisors at my hospital has all of her front teeth rotting out. Yeah, not only does it look great but her breath could use some work. I'd rather smell an ashtray anytime. :smokin:

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I appreciate all the "you smell like smoke" stuff and I take care not to reek of cigarettes when I'm giving pt care. Wish I could say the same for alot of nurses I've seen who are severely overweight and have a nice "aroma" that comes from sweating profusely and other assorted odors that are nauseating.

Personally, whether or not I was a smoker, I would prefer that my nurse smokes rather than have one that is diverting my meds, coming in hungover, high or can't (or won't) provide timely care because he or she is obese and it's an ordeal to walk down the hall or perfom physical tasks that a "healthier" nurse can perform with ease. Not to mention one of the nursing supervisors at my hospital has all of her front teeth rotting out. Yeah, not only does it look great but her breath could use some work. I'd rather smell an ashtray anytime. :smokin:

You're operating with the same misinformation that many smokers are.

It's not about the aroma....it's about the chemicals that cause the aroma. Because of that, it's not about not enjoying the fragrance, but about the physical reaction my lungs have to those chemicals (ie bronchospasm).

I'm sure that all smokers work to not "reek" of cigarette smoke.....but smokers can't smell the smoke on their clothes. Perfume may mask the aroma...but it does nothing to dispel the chemicals. If someone is smoking, then going inside and providing care...unless they've changed clothes, their clothes are infused with the chemicals that are in cigarette smoke. Laundering the clothes is the only remedy.

So, I'm sorry that you're offended by the aroma of an overweight nurse at work....but it's still not what is being discussed here (however there was a "co-worker with BO thread a few weeks ago that might be more up your alley").

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I understand that. The same way that people wearing perfume or cosmetics with a heavy scent can give me migraines. My point is that we treat people that are obese, drug addicts, alcoholics, etc., with kid gloves and say, "oh they have a problem, we need to be understanding" but smokers might as well be last week's garbage. Smoking is a choice, just like pounding down the shots, getting high, stealing drugs and eating ourselves to death. And sorry, but I stand by my position that it's much more dangerous for a nurse to be taking care of patients while hung over, high or on drugs, or yes, even unable to physically assist patients because they're obese than it is for a nurse to have a cigarette on her lunch break. See, you could request another nurse because you can smell smoke on her and it makes you sick. Someone really can't do that with a nurse with horrible BO because then they're just being insensitive, even if it really is making them nauseous. Do you request another patient if someone comes in and they smell like smoke? Or do you risk your life to take care of them?

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I understand that. The same way that people wearing perfume or cosmetics with a heavy scent can give me migraines. My point is that we treat people that are obese, drug addicts, alcoholics, etc., with kid gloves and say, "oh they have a problem, we need to be understanding" but smokers might as well be last week's garbage. Smoking is a choice, just like pounding down the shots, getting high, stealing drugs and eating ourselves to death. And sorry, but I stand by my position that it's much more dangerous for a nurse to be taking care of patients while hung over, high or on drugs, or yes, even unable to physically assist patients because they're obese than it is for a nurse to have a cigarette on her lunch break. See, you could request another nurse because you can smell smoke on her and it makes you sick. Someone really can't do that with a nurse with horrible BO because then they're just being insensitive, even if it really is making them nauseous. Do you request another patient if someone comes in and they smell like smoke? Or do you risk your life to take care of them?

I don't understand the either/or situation that you're putting forth. No, I don't want my nurse to be hung over or high or anything else on your list. Those are actionable behaviors that will get someone fired. I would be requesting another nurse for any of your reasons. Why do I have to choose between them and a nurse who was smoking recently? Are you really trying to make the case that a patient should be grateful for the nurse who smells of smoke because at least they're not high???

To answer your question, if I was assigned a patient who smelled of tobacco smoke, I would need to request a change of assignment....I'd be wheezing and coughing so much, I'd be useless to the patient. What's your point?

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I'm sorry, but if you guys think obese people don't face the same ridicule and discrimination of a smoker you're sorely mistaken.. as evidence by the nasty comments that people seem to enjoy throwing out there.

Smoking addiction and eating disorders (as obesity, as far as I know, is considered one) are two entirely different animals that need entirely different approaches. Why, you ask? Because one does not need cigarettes to sustain their body functions. However, one can not just quit eating cold turkey, and expect to live very long. Obesity is a multi-factored issue that needs a multifaceted approach to solving it. 66% of Americans are overweight or obese. As health care providers, I do believe we should do our best to lead by example. I also believe that many patients don't like going to the doctor because of the attitude so many have against being overweight and the lectures that all your issues will be solved once you quit eating. An overweight nurse helping to educate an overweight patient may actually be beneficial, since being overweight the nurse can empathize with patient and approach it from a "I understand the difficulty, I'm going through it too" perspective.

It is completely different for a nurse to say to her patient, "You're going to get cancer, you need to quit smoking" when sitting in her very pocket is a pack of smokes and a lighter. Apples and oranges, imho.

Also- one doesn't have to be skinny minny and fit to be able to handle a workload. Not all overweight people have trouble doing their job in a timely and orderly fashion. Also- saying some who is fat is smelly is basically saying obese people don't know how to practice hygiene, which, I'm sorry, has nothing to do with weight. I can't say I've ever noticed an obese person smelling any worse than anyone else in any given situation.

You can lash out at obese people, but how does that make you any better than the people you dislike lashing out at your smoking?

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