smoking clients

[fuzzygirl]

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?

[AmericanRN]

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.

I don't think your supervisor misunderstood anything, she sounds obnoxious but tomorrow is another day. More like a powertrip. I think she needs to let the power tripping go before you end up the next rapid response code in the facility. I don't think that you should be taking smokers outside when you have asthma. People who smoke or don't mind smoke are the ones who should take the residents out, not an asthmatic or anyone who may be vehemently opposed to smoking.

[Rob72, ASN, RN]

As long as your dx and treatment of asthma are documented, you're fine. It sounds like your DON is amenable to your situation, which definitely helps, and, ultimately, the Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA) is your fall-back.

[AgentBeast, BSN, RN]

Check your state law. Many states have passed laws regarding workplace smoking, smoking in restaurants, bars, ect. You might be afforded protection under state law.