Smoking nurses

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I am not a nurse yet, but my sister-in-law is and she smokes. I smoke as well and would like to quit before even starting my classes. I heard that "you can't be a nurse unless you smoke". I feel like I am such a hypocryt for smoking and wanting to be a nurse at the same time, but I also know from reading all of the threads that nursing can be a very stressful job. I am sure that I am not the only one with this problem, but I do feel guilty. Does anyone else? Not judging in any way.

Specializes in MS Home Health.

Been over 23 weeks for me now and I am really craving one this morning.

renerian

Our State just passed the banning of all indoor smoking as well...I never have smoked but two of my three brothers do and both my parents. It just kills me to think that those damn things are what will put my parents in the grave...they are so addicted to them they at this point in there lives have found it impossible to quit. I lost count of their many attempts at trying..the only good thing about the awful habit is that my two boys think they(the cigs) are disgusting and will never smoke. ... So sad :scrying: :sniff: ....I love my parents and brothers to pieces and wish they could stop....:o

Specializes in Float Pool, ICU/CCU, Med/Surg, Onc, Tele.

After watching my Grandma die (literally, by her bedside) from smoking related health problems, you couldn't PAY me enough to smoke. It was HORRIBLE, she was pleading with God to just take her and get it over with, for weeks! Yes, Hospice was there... but they can only do so much. It gives me the heebie-jeebies just remembering the process and being there. I am comforted knowing that she knew I was there and that she was loved, though.

So no smoking breaks for me... although I may have to take "Pepsi" breaks every hour on the hour (kidding)... :)

I'am a non-smoker myself and my husband also and we live in aapartment building and the man below us smokes and so does his 3 sons when they come over to his apartment and I could smell it all the way to the bedroom had to get 2 air filters to level out the smell:( . put air freshner but no matter what I try to do to avoid it I cant. I know hes has his rights just like all other smokers but dam a little consideration its a small building and hes smokes in the hallway and the whole buiding stinks like cigarettes yuck! but I guess is part of life and all of us non- smokers have to deal with it. I mostly worry about my 2 year old because i dont want him inhaling that stuff.:sniff:

I agree that it is setting a poor example for a nurse to smoke, but lots of other things also set a poor example such as obesity, now I'm not meaning to pick on obese nurses, but as some have mentioned earlier everyone has some type of failing or vice. I smoke and I'm not proud of it, but I try not to let it interfere with caring for the patient to the best of my addicted ability. One thing for sure is if I'm ever in a health crisis and the nurse that saves my life smells like cig smoke or is fat as mud I'm sure I won't mind at all how she smelled or how fat she was. I will only be thankful that she or he knew the right thing to do and did it. I'm sure some of you won't believe it but I have been named in more patient satisfaction surveys than any nurse at our facility (smelling like I do) lol.

Let me add I was mentioned in a positive manner in those patient satisfaction surveys.

Specializes in Mostly LTC, some acute and some ER,.

I'm weird when it comes to smoking. I'm not adicted, but it relieves my stress. I could go on forever without a ciggarette, but every once and a while I just have one of those days when I need one. The most ciggarettes I have smoked in a day was 5, at work, during a stressful day. I have been doing this since I became a CNA. I know its bad, but I just don't see my self ever getting into smoking like a chimney.

I have to agree Mario. Why should I have to tolerate billigerant, dangerous-behind-a-wheel drinkers, obnoxious drinkers, puking in the anywhere they can drinkers, etc,etc. Guess you know I don't drink...........yet, I STILL have to tolerate them !!! I hate drinking as much as they hate smoking..........and , I'd be willing to bet that the non-smokers all take part in downing a few here and there, and see NOTHING wrong with drinking........look at all the health/social/financial problems that drinking causes for heaven's sake !!!!!!!!!! Give us a break !! I don't like the smell of booze either, so everyone quit drinking right now !!!

I'd like to add my 2 pennies here.... Yes I am a smoker. I'm not proud, my employer does not know that I smoke. I never smoke at work or in my car or in my home when my grandbaby is there. I am a selective smoker but still a smoker. But here's my beef... Everyone complains about the stinch of smokers and I agree,. But what about the stinch of colognes and perfumes? That is very offensive as well. And the non smoking nurse who dazzles herself/himself with colognes or perfumes and cares for our pts. is just as bad if not worse than smelling the aftermath of a cigarette. And I hate to take a bite of somones perfume:(

There are alot of things out there that are offensive to others.

Smoking IS a disease and can be cured. But who's gonna tell the nurses and others they cant wear their estee' lauder?:confused:

Specializes in CVOR,CNOR,NEURO,TRAUMA,TRANSPLANTS.

Well I smoke and hear flack about it everytime Im assisting in a thoracotomy or some cancer case. A Dr or another Nurse feels compelled to lecture me at that moment about my habbits of my smoking, which usually sends me into a nice sacastic comments about thier habbits of choice. They tend to stop with thier comments to me especially since I nailed one of the Nurses about her habbit of sleeping with married surgeons. :D :eek: :devil:

Havent heard too many of the lectures since. I dont feel guilty because I smoke, its a personal choice for myself and I try not to speak to others about it, but Im also not a huge smoker either, mainly in high stress times or when Im on my laptop. I do however speak to my patients about it and can understand how difficult it can be for them to stop. I can see both sides of the fence and I understand the medical side of the issue but I also know its a personal choice and mine for the making. Not anyone elses.

Zoe

Specializes in Float Pool, ICU/CCU, Med/Surg, Onc, Tele.

Sleeping with married surgeons.... now THERE's a deadly habit! :o ;)

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

like I said before, all noxious odors, perfume, cleaning solvents, smoke what-have-you should and must be tightly controlled. You never know who is allergic to exactly what and what reaction they will have when they are exposed to it. I work with a nurse who is deathly allergic to cigarette smoke residue and when she enters a room where patient family members bring it with them, its all she can do breathe after leaving. Another is allergic to perfume/dye. I don't think it is fair to pick on cigarette smoke alone without addressing nurses' insistence on wearing obnoxious perfume to work. That, to me, is just as offensive and unfair to the patients who don't have the choice but to breathe in such odors. WE should lead by example by avoiding smoking on the job OR wearing perfume, period, to protect the safety and health of ALL patients and even our coworkers!

+ Add a Comment