Smoking

caliotter3 · Jun 16, 2017

I have asthma. My neighbors who smoke, insure that I have episodes where I have extreme trouble breathing. I don't care if they want to smoke. It is not their fault the building is constructed to allow smoke to go from one living area to another; but there is a limit to everything. I can not move away. But then, why should I have to?

Luckyyou, BSN, RN · Jun 16, 2017

My employer (31k employees, 15 hospitals locally) no longer hires smokers. Food for thought.

Scottishtape · Jun 16, 2017

I smoke. I'm trying to quit again, but currently still smoking.

I never smoked at school, during clinicals, or even at work.

I am ashamed of the fact that I smoke, so I don't like people to see it, and I also consider the non smokers around me.

I think it's unprofessional because people are seeing you make a poor choice and most smokers stink.

I'm using a stop smoking app which helped last time I quit, so I'm hoping it will again. Maybe you could download one to help?

It's tough, I know. Good luck!

AceOfHearts<3 · Jun 16, 2017

If the school is smoke free I think you should follow the rules and not smoke on campus. I hope your instructor didn't scold you in front of the class, because that would be uncalled for- if they felt something needed to be said it should be said in private. My entire hospital campus is smoke free and both hospitals I've worked for won't hire tobacco users- they test everyone before hire. Also, the stress won't disappear after nursing school- the first year of nursing can be very difficult and stressful.

Good luck with everything!

ItsThatJenGirl, CNA · Jun 16, 2017

I think smoking on a smoke free campus is a bad idea.

Mavrick, BSN, RN · Jun 17, 2017

One opinion comin' right up!

It's not what (smoke) or when (on your break) you did it, it's where (on campus). Why do you think your campus would have such a rule? Do they really care that it's bad for you? No, they don't. They care more that it's bad for the patients they serve, some of whom because of their condition or disease process can be very sensitive to smoke. Bad for employees and students, who don't smoke and don't want to be exposed to unhealthy substances in their work/learning environment. Bad for housekeeping persons who don't particularly like cleaning up the cigarette butts smokers inevitably leave behind thinking someone else can pick up those nasty things. Bad for maintenance workers who have to repair or replace tables, counters, window sills, trashcans, landscaping plants/mulch and the additional costs incurred when smokers leave or discard smoking materials still on fire.

When you smoke it saturates your person. A non-smoker can smell you. Your clothes, your hair, your breath give you away. I work in a recovery room and can smell it on people before they even wake up. They are wearing a hospital gown, presumably showered that morning and brushed their teeth and I can diagnose them as smokers before they say a word. It's nauseating.

Employers who forbid smoking or tobacco of any kind (chew, etc) can order a blood test that will show evidence of nicotine in your system for a week after exposure. (Smokers not being a protected class.) Nicotine use = loss of job. Even if done off campus and on your own time!!

I find it personally visually unappealing. An attractive woman will have on a real sharp outfit with complementary make-up, hair, jewelry etc. then ruin the whole look by whipping out a cigarette and sticking it in her mouth. Swipe Left.

I would venture a guess your instructor would like to see you kick a reversible habit before it further impairs your ability to work in close quarters with people.

Apple-Core, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 17, 2017

If it's a smoke-free campus, then I would suggest stepping away from campus to have a quick smoke-break.

Leedeedee · Jun 17, 2017

I don't understand anyone smoking these days with the cheap and easy availability of e-cigarettes. Yeah vaping isn't exactly healthy, but much better for you than the real thing AND you won't smell of smoke.

Emergent, RN · Jun 17, 2017

I'm a non-smoker. Yes, smoking is unhealthy, but the moral crusade of the anti-smoking people has gotten out of hand. I'll bet your university doesn't ban unhealthy foods from the cafeteria or vending machines.

Why not provide an outdoor, designated area for those who smoke? Probably because the morality police have made smoking the unpardonable sin...

LovingLife123 · Jun 17, 2017

I'm a non-smoker. Yes, smoking is unhealthy, but the moral crusade of the anti-smoking people has gotten out of hand. I'll bet your university doesn't ban unhealthy foods from the cafeteria or vending machines.
Why not provide an outdoor, designated area for those who smoke? Probably because the morality police have made smoking the unpardonable sin...

Huge difference between a person eating unhealthy food and smoking. Smoking affects the health of everybody around them. Me eating twinkies from the vending machine doesn't cause anybody else around me to get sick.

I think smoking is gross. My parents smoked growing up and I hated how I reeked anytime I left the house. I can smell the smoke when the person in the car I front of me is smoking. Heck, I can smell when my neighbors are in their backyard smoking in my house. It makes me sick and it's not an exaggeration.

Emergent, RN · Jun 18, 2017

Huge difference between a person eating unhealthy food and smoking. Smoking affects the health of everybody around them. Me eating twinkies from the vending machine doesn't cause anybody else around me to get sick.
I think smoking is gross. My parents smoked growing up and I hated how I reeked anytime I left the house. I can smell the smoke when the person in the car I front of me is smoking. Heck, I can smell when my neighbors are in their backyard smoking in my house. It makes me sick and it's not an exaggeration.

Designated smoking area allows nonsmokers to stay away. Hooray for you, you don't have to go there!