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?
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?

My point is that we're making the case that we need to "set an example" for patients but all the other things nurses do don't count since they "have a problem" and we need to be sensitive about it. I guess we'll have to agree to disagree since you can't see the point I'm trying to make.

And honestly, good luck in your practice if you're that sensitive to smells that you're going to have to pick and choose what patients you care for. Especially if your unit is understaffed and you have more than one "trigger" patient on your floor.

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Our class has about 15-20 smokers out of 90 or so. The instructors seem pretty tolerant in allowing them to come back from breaks more slowly than the others. One student spoke up in class after some effects of smoking were discussed: "Why are the smokers always singled out?" Now it's a running joke in class to apologize to her before anything related to detriments of smoking is discussed. Others have already stated the obvious: your right to pollute your own air doesn't give you the right to pollute anyone else's.

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Specializes in Med/surg, Quality & Risk.
All I said in the smokers defense is that there are many other horrible unhealthy habits so if you're going to chastise one do the others as well. Obesity is a huge problem as well as alcohol which I think everyone thinks is just fine since so many drink.

Many people require breaks at work to drink alcohol? I was not aware of this!! I don't think the Boards of Nursing would be too happy about that either.

If I drank at breaks and barfed on myself and came back to work smelling like puke do you think people might chastise me?

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My point is that we're making the case that we need to "set an example" for patients but all the other things nurses do don't count since they "have a problem" and we need to be sensitive about it. I guess we'll have to agree to disagree since you can't see the point I'm trying to make.

Actually, most posts haven't spoken about the "example" set by health care providers....they're talking about smokers taking breaks to go and smoke, then coming back smelling like smoke.

And honestly, good luck in your practice if you're that sensitive to smells that you're going to have to pick and choose what patients you care for. Especially if your unit is understaffed and you have more than one "trigger" patient on your floor.

You still don't get it.....I'm not "sensitive to smells." I'm an asthmatic who is triggered by tobacco smoke. The aroma has nothing to do with it....the chemicals in the smoke cause my lungs to go in to bronchospasms. I haven't noticed that the majority of patients are, as you put it, "reeking" of cigarette smoke....that's been a far bigger problem with staff.

Maybe the patient demographic in your area is different...

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Specializes in Med/surg, Quality & Risk.
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:

"A lot" of nurses are "severely overweight?" Where do you work? Do you think you should change employers, or maybe relocate? Sorry dude but I live in what's been called the fattest city in the US and we don't have "a lot" of "severely overweight" nurses, or health care workers of any kind for that matter. And I've smelled ONE person in two years, and he smells more like dental decay than anything. If you have a lot of fat sweaty smelly workers maybe you should re-think your employment conditions...or ask someone to adjust the thermostat.

Oh and diverting meds, coming in hung over or high are all "frowned upon," at the very least. Yes, those people would be "chastised" too if their behaviors were known. Chastised to the point of having their licenses suspended.

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Specializes in Med/surg, Quality & Risk.
My point is that we're making the case that we need to "set an example" for patients but all the other things nurses do don't count since they "have a problem" and we need to be sensitive about it. I guess we'll have to agree to disagree since you can't see the point I'm trying to make.

That's because it's not a valid point. What you're saying about obesity or alcoholism or drug use just simply isn't true. Please stop acting like we're all so tolerant of obese people or something. And alcohol or drug use will get your license taken away if you sat around publicly and drank and got high at work in the parking lot on breaks. So no, it's not the same as smoking. I don't know if you're saying "it's legal so we shouldn't look down on smokers" or what. But legal behaviors are quite often stupid and make you look like a big fat hypocrite. Smoking and being obese in health care are two of them. This particular post is about SMOKING. If you want to abuse fat people go find the other post that someone already referred you to.

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.

Moderator's friendly reminder: please post in English, per our TOS. The off topic post that was written in German has been pulled as have all references to this post. Thank you.

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Specializes in CNA.
If you get smoke breaks I demand fresh air breaks.

Non-smokers do get "fresh air" breaks. Same as any employee. If they choose to not take them, thats their choice. Im just saying.

Anyways, I had a lot typed about this subject but figure its not worth it as I have seen how people react on this site when you go against the majority. I feel the Ops pain, and I am sorry that people act the way they do towards smokers. Its an addiction plain and simple.

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For the record, in simpler terms. smokers in this generation have been singled out to be the "out group", to be ostracised by politic and passion, in order to divert anger and change desire from more meaningful targets. this kind of diversive ploy is old hat, and is as old as the seperation of the sheep form the wolves that manage the flock for their own ends. the scientific evidence in relation to the effects of second hand smoke is questionable, and there is no evidence that someone exposed to the smell of past smoking behaviour is in any way detrimental.

for the record, lots of people have offensive characteristics, but few are ostracised for them. ethnic groups, because of their dietary and hereditable factors have different smells one from another, which are often found offensive. many people lack in terms of personal hygeine, and some are afflicted with skin diseases that produce odors. women in menses produce odors, and people using certain hair/skin/cosmetic products smell offensive to many.

for the record, even more offensive than individuals with distinct odors are individuals with certain types of personalities. among the most offensive types of personalities are the vehemently intolerant who attempt thru any means available to force others to conform to a standard that the offending personality finds comfortable. this is the height of selfishness and disrespect for the comfort and rights of those surrounding them, and vehement anti-smokers are among the worst.

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For the record, in simpler terms. smokers in this generation have been singled out to be the "out group", to be ostracised by politic and passion, in order to divert anger and change desire from more meaningful targets. this kind of diversive ploy is old hat, and is as old as the seperation of the sheep form the wolves that manage the flock for their own ends. the scientific evidence in relation to the effects of second hand smoke is questionable, and there is no evidence that someone exposed to the smell of past smoking behaviour is in any way detrimental.

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As most states in the country have some kind of legislation about where people can and can not smoke in public areas, I'd say that your opinion of the validity of the research on second hand smoke is one not one that is shared by many.

The fact that this legislation was passed in spite of the tobacco lobby, speaks even more to how this research is viewed.

This isn't a conspiracy theory (sorry to ruin your day with that little tidbit), it's just public health. I'm not angry with smokers, I just can't breathe in the toxins that cling to their clothing without it seriously impacting my respiratory health.

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"A lot" of nurses are "severely overweight?" Where do you work? Do you think you should change employers, or maybe relocate? Sorry dude but I live in what's been called the fattest city in the US and we don't have "a lot" of "severely overweight" nurses, or health care workers of any kind for that matter. And I've smelled ONE person in two years, and he smells more like dental decay than anything. If you have a lot of fat sweaty smelly workers maybe you should re-think your employment conditions...or ask someone to adjust the thermostat.

Oh and diverting meds, coming in hung over or high are all "frowned upon," at the very least. Yes, those people would be "chastised" too if their behaviors were known. Chastised to the point of having their licenses suspended.

I'm not sure I said "a lot" but actually, yeah, there are a lot. There are obese people in every profession. If you think nursing is exempt then you should be thankful you work where you do and don't have to pick up the slack for others who can't or won't do their job.

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Specializes in School Nursing.
I'm not sure I said "a lot" but actually, yeah, there are a lot. There are obese people in every profession. If you think nursing is exempt then you should be thankful you work where you do and don't have to pick up the slack for others who can't or won't do their job.

Yeah, cuz only fat people can't or wont do their job.

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