The hospital I work at went "Tobacco Free" on January 1, 2008. This new policy was met with a lot anger and resentment toward the system administrators by 99.99% of the smokers.
I work on a small rehab unit which employs about 20 people. Out of these 3 are smokers. I am, however, not one of them.
As a rule we are allowed 1/2 hour for lunch and one 15 minute break anywhere in between per 8 hour shift; 15 minute break X2 if working a 12 hour shift. The concern I had was the fact that if you were a smoker, you generally recieved your normal breaks during the day, plus you were able to go out 2-3 times per shift for a smoke for 5-10 minutes a time. What's worse; most of the smokers worked on the same shift and when one went outside, the other usually followed, leaving the entire patient census in the care of 1-2 people.
Now entering our 8th month of this new "Smoke Free" policy, I have noticed a few things. Most annoying of which, staff were just standing on the sidewalk boardering our facility, smoking, wearing their badges as they "light up" right beside the "Were Tobacco Free!" sign. It makes me sick.
Now I have nothing against smoking, or smokers, but, it is my opinion that when you work in a profession such as nursing, you should act in a more professional mannor. One of my charge nurses said it perfectly when she said "We don't work at Target, behavior like that should not be tolorated."
I guess what I am really asking is; Am I wrong in thinking this way? What should I do when I see a fellow staff member clearly testing the administrations limits just like a two-year-old that keeps throwing his food on the floor?
Nobody denies that smoking kills or has horrid consequences. But thanks for the pics of the lungs I suppose. I guess it's easier to post pictures of diseased lungs than it is to say one word about someone who just told me to 'die'
I didn't find the humor in that joke.
As I posted...I thought that comment was rude and uncalled for and mean as well.
My point? I honestly believe that none of you care whether or not I live or die.
I would never wish death upon anyone. I do care whether you live or die. I know nurses are aware of the health hazards of smoking, just like I know the health hazards of eating too much. We make an informed decision to continue with bad habits so we have no one to blame but ourselves when something happens as a result.
But using the fact that the smell is intolerable, or that some body took too many breaks at work as an excuse to throw out insults is pretty lame.
I personally, am allergic to smoke, my eyes swell, run and burn. I cannot tolerate smoke. Too many smoke breaks is something administration should deal with. I started taking "fresh air breaks" and no one ever said a word. However I was having trouble finding the time to take my fresh air breaks. No that smoking is no longer allowed we all back to equal as far as how many breaks we take.
BinkieRN, BSN, RN
486 Posts
As I posted...I thought that comment was rude and uncalled for and mean as well.