smoking clients

Published

Hello : )

I'm a nurse recently diagnosed with asthma, an ex-smoker.

Recently at work, a supervisor wanted me to take a resident outdoors for a cigarette. I explained to her that exposure to smoke is dicey for me at this time and refused. She then demanded I go outside (where she had already placed him) and tell him he can't have a smoke and bring him indoors.

This supervisor is a smoker herself (why didn't she do it herself?).

I calmly went outside and retrieved the resident and brought him back indoors as she demanded, with her following me and observing. I then quietly told her again what exposure to cigarette smoke does for my asthma, and then needed my inhaler because of the wheezing from the smoke on the patio.

The director of nursing stated she would have also refused and that I cannot be "written up" for refusing to smoke with a resident, but I am still afraid of further harrassment.

Do I have any legal rights in regard to this situation? (it was witnessed by other staff)

Also, do healthcare workers have to take clients outdoors to smoke if the facility allows smoking?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

I also refuse to take residents out to smoke and I refuse to buy them cigarettes. I have asthma too and I don't be around smokers either.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

Any chance you have an occupational health nurse?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice / Psych / RNAC.

When I've worked in any LTC facility or the like smoking is the only activity some of those people kling to. Yes we are instructed to go out with them to ensure safety but in your situation I don't see what was up that person's behind.

Stay your ground but don't behoove those poor people their little smokes. No, I don't smoke and when I first started I bucked this policy hard and got no where and then realized I was being a Godzilla toward those who smoke. Time to light .. en up (lol)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC , SDC and MDS certified (3.0).

It should depend on policy. When I used to smoke, I never minded taking residents with me. not that I quit and have breathing issues, I would refuse, but see if a smoker caould take them instead!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, Prehospital, Flight.

Is the patio enclosed or ventilated at all? Or are we talking outside all together? Do you take the pt to the patio and let them smoke alone coming back to take them in when they are done? Can you give a description of the process you go through to allow the residents to smoke.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.

When I worked in LTC, we would always have a nurse or CNA (who smoked) take the residents outside. The staff got their smoke break and weren't charged w/ taking a break...worked great. Smoke if you got 'em.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

When I worked LTC, a few residents who were there before the smoking ban went out to smoke 3 or 4 times a day. It wasn't hard to find 2 LNAs who smoked to take them outside.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, ER, EP,.

Surely there is some smoker that can safely monitor them? Teamwork! I've gone in to talk to family reeking of perfume for patients that weren't mine when my RN buddy was an asthmatic.

It's tough because these folks live there and they have a right to smoke. You however should have a supportive team that protects you and your health... if you can't breath, ya can't do your part in patient care... I'd point that out to everyone...

"sure I'll go inhale smoke and need to leave work right after because I won't be able to breathe... I'll need to give you report now as i won't be able to catch my breath in a sec."........ that will change things.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The supervisor sounds like a real winner....if she is a smoker, why couldn't she take the 5 minutes to smoke this resident??

If you are not a smoker, and have health issues which being around smoke irritates...then you should be exempt from smoking the residents. I never understood why this is a nursing responsibility in the first place. They are plenty of smokers in laundry, kitchen, housekeeping, administration that could spend 5 minutes smoking these residents also.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRtNfb6D3Mc[/YOUTUBE]

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you all for the advice/support : )

Yesterday was better. Perhaps she misunderstood the asthma issue?

I would never tell someone they can NOT go smoke, but I won't smoke with them.

The video was the best...hard to stay mad when you are laughing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion