Smoking among Nurses is hypocritical.

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I don't believe the number of Nurses that continue to smoke, despite the constant flow of patients that have numerous problems associated with smoking. Furthermore, it is very hypocritical for anyone, DR. or Nurse to be advising patients about proper lifestyle changes. I often get these reasons when I am confronted by a smoker.

#1) It is my right to smoke and I don't feel anyone has the right to tell me otherwise.

Smoking has nothing to do with rights. Smoking is clearly an invasion into the rights of those who do not smoke. Perhaps we should remember the children who have their rights removed by breathing smoke from parents/relatives. And we should have the right to speak out against smoking as there is NO BENEFIT whatsoever. Furthermore smoking drives up health care costs for everyone, regardless if they smoke or not. Talk about rights.

#2) We all are going to die of something someday. Oh well!

With this attitude, you definately shouldn't be in the health care field, especially Nursing. Nursing is all about getting the patient better. What would you do if you overheard a doctor tell his/her patient that it is ok to continue in the bad habits, because they will die someday of something. How ridiculous!

#3) I can't quit!

Why not? You started somehow. You had to smoke several times without actually liking it to be able to acquire the "taste" which led to addicition. Any addiction can be broke if YOU choose to do so. You can quit if you chose to quit. But you have opted for the "I can't quit" excuse because frankly you don't want to quit.

#4) The air we breathe is already polluted, so what makes the difference?

Oh, about $3-4 per pack. I agree that the quality of air is not very good due to various reasons, but to pay hard earned $ to further pollution and to further deteriorate your health is totally asinine. Doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

Why do people start smoking?

#1) Social status

#2) Exposed all his/her life as family/friends smoked.

#3) Peer pressure

I am currently smoking a marlboro menthol light cigarrette... It is fabulous... even though I am smoking it on my back porch and typing on my laptop...and watching the lightening bugs do their thing.... It is peaceful and I am serene..

To my back thru the sliding glass doors if i dare look over my shoulder are my 2 kids blissfully cleaning off the table in total harmony... I will be going in to serve yet another lovely dessert of hot fugde brownie cake with homemade ice cream....I will finally get to spend QUALITY TIME with my hubby and kids after having worked 14 hrs...

I smoke...it is my personal choice.... on my back yard...I have no neighbors... don't smoke in my car... never around my children....SOOO, I am okay with my choice.... I am not 2nd hand smoking anyone... I do not smoke at work...I could put them down in a minute ... but I haven't....

why....

Because the alternative to not smoking is coming home and being a tyrant to my family....Gaining 50 lbs and #1 reason is it keeps me off BELLTOWERS...

Reduces my stress so I do not make the 6 o'clock news.... Crazed redheaded nurse goes on killing spree at the local walmart buying nicorette....

there you go....

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I don't believe the number of Nurses that continue to smoke, despite the constant flow of patients that have numerous problems associated with smoking. Furthermore, it is very hypocritical for anyone, DR. or Nurse to be advising patients about proper lifestyle changes. I often get these reasons when I am confronted by a smoker.

Etc.

There's so much I would like to say to this, but it's all pretty much been said. So, I'll go with my initial reaction:

For heaven's sake, get over yourself.:uhoh3: Do you suppose your judgemental attitude will ever prevent you from being a perfect nurse?

Deana

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Specializes in Utilization Management.
This is too hot too handle type of topic.

Yes, Jess, it is. In fact, it's :smokin: smokin'.

:D

*Sorry guys, couldn't resist! Carry on....or not....*

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Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.
When I first read the responses, I didn't want to reply. I basically agreed with everyone. But, as I begin to think about it, it doesn't make sense. Smoking, lack of exercise, being overweight, unprotected sex, whatever one's "bad habit" may be, it's just that - a bad habit. Just because many of us may have them (this coming from a nonsmoker) doesn't make it right.

Honestly, if there is any group that shouldn't be smoking/overweight/blah blah, it's those in the health care field. Regardless of what we say to our patients, we see the horrible effects of poor health every single day!!! We care for the smokers dying of lung cancer, the overweight suffering from diabetes, joint & back pain, and everything else that can be caused by being overweight. We care for those with infectious diseases from unprotected sex. If there is any group could serve as a public service announcement against not taking care of oneself, it's nurses!

Now, it obvious that these problems are complex and involve many socioeconomic, cultural, and other factors. It is also painfully obvious that these habits can't be changed overnight. In addition, no one is perfect and I don't think that the OP was claiming that we as nurses should be. Please don't read this into the post.

What I like to do is - if I encounter a pt who is struggling with a "bad habit" that I have myself, I A) provide nonjudgemental support, admitting that I have the same problem, or B) provide nonjudgemental support, and use this experience as a remimder to myself to try to 'fix' what problem I have.

Whether we like it or not, we should try to practice what we preach. Of course, for most of us, this will be difficult. Put yourself in the shoes of the patient. How would you feel if a nurse who told you to lose weight was obese. Or an MD who advised you to quit smoking smelled like a chimney? Just my 2 cents. :wink2:

I dont know how far you are in your nursing course but when you qualify and take charge and responsibility for the patients in your care, you quickly realise that each patient is an individual, with individual thoughts and they really couldn't care less who looks after them as long as you do it well, patients are strange creatures just like nurses and doctors. We all have ideals and we all have to compromise them on occasions to enable us to deliver high quality individualised care.

I for one would love sometimes to be perfect but hey i am just human. :rotfl:

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Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.

Do you know I work on an under 65 aquired brain injury rehab ward where the majority of patients are around 40 yr age mark, majority are strokes. We hardly ever get smokers or ex smokers, all of them are thin and have done some form of exercise, not big drinkers. So I thought to myself where are the smokers and the fatty's and came to the conclusion they must die before they get to us or they dont stoke as much as thin people. Interesting dont you think. :rolleyes:

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Yes, Jess, it is. In fact, it's :smokin: smokin'.

:D

*Sorry guys, couldn't resist! Carry on....or not....*

:lol2: ;)

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WHAT HAPPENED TO THE ORIGINAL POSTER AND WHY HAVEN'T THEY ADDED ANYTHING TO THIS?

~Crystal

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

nothing new being added

several requests to close thread

OP seems long gone.

time to close.

thanks!

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