Smoking

[keebler1995]

Hey Everyone,

I just wanted to ask your opinion on nursing students smoking cigarettes. Not from a medical or nursing standpoint but from a personal viewpoint. I smoke cigarettes, I had successfully quit a few years ago but once I started nursing school I started again due to stress. It is my vice and my stress reliever. And I know its bad for you, spare me the lecture but its what is getting me through the day. So I recently I was in lab. During lunch I went to the parking lot to smoke. (my university is on a "non-smoking" campus). I realize i was technically in violation of the rules but I didn't figure I was hurting anyone, but ultimately I was in the wrong and I understand that. While this happened one of my instructors saw me and scolded me during class. So my question is, obviously smoking is bad, but as nurses we also advocate for patients to make their own decisions. We discourage unhealthy behaviors but in the end it is the patients decision. How do you all feel about a nursing student going out for a smoke during their break? (I was in a secluded area. Not exposing anyone to second hand smoke and I would never do this on a clinical site.) Whats your opinion?

[LovingLife123]

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

That's not how it works. The smoke drifts. I smell it. Remember the days of smoking and nonsmoking areas? I do. The smoke doesn't confine itself to one small area.

[WanderingWilder, ASN]

Really your question is about schools having a non-smoking campus, not about you being a nursing student, since I'm sure the rules are the same for all the programs not just nursing students. I don't think its necessary for colleges to be smoke free, i think its better to have a smoking area away from the main walking areas, otherwise you get people who will just pick their own spots to smoke, such as in the parking lot. I don't smoke and as long as I don't have to walk through a wall of smoke to get in the school or to my car it doesn't bother me. I guess unless you want to try and change the rules at your school you'll have to obey them and leave campus for a smoke or deal with being reprimanded by instructors.

[Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP]

I remember when I was back in nursing school we had a smoker's area in the hospital cafeteria. Yes, I'm old. All us nursing students would go in there in our breaks and sit in the lounge chairs and smoke in our breaks. I haven't smoked in 25 years but I recently started vaping and I love it. I use the lowest nicotine available and it only smells of mint. No one else knows I am vaping as I smell clean and fresh and I can vape pretty much anywhere (within reason). Why not switch to vaping? It's cleaner, better for you and you won't smell of smoke. You can wean the nicotine level down to almost nothing (or even to zero) if you wish.

[elkpark]

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

Except that we all have to put up with the stink and second-hand smoke when people return to work/class from their designated smoking area ...

[nurse2033, MSN, RN]

My employer won't hire smokers, and tests for it.

[CFnDogs]

On a personal level? I really dislike smoking. I (knock on wood) haven't needed to be a pt in a hospital in a long time, but I could always tell when my nurse was a smoker. Made me gag.

I have lots of friends who smoke. It's your choice. I understand it's an addiction, and as a non-smoker it's easy for me to say "just quit". However, if a friend starts to smoke they usually end up standing alone because I don't have any interest breathing it in.

My mother has a smokers cough and it absolutely breaks my heart.

[Extra Pickles]

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.

My employer does not permit use of those things either. Doesn't matter what you choose to stick in it, it's not allowed on the property.

[Medic/Nurse, BSN, RN]

That's not how it works. The smoke drifts. I smell it. Remember the days of smoking and nonsmoking areas? I do. The smoke doesn't confine itself to one small area.

And then there is the other "drift", the one where smokers proclaim, "I have rights!" – or – light up "on the way" to the designated area and pretty soon most everywhere has a smoker or two (or a dozen). Zero tolerance makes for simplicity and clarity.

If I want to walk through building entrances filled with smokers, I can always hang out in da club.

[pixierose, BSN, RN]

Anyone remember the smoking sections in restaurants? When smoke miraculously knew to stay away from the non-smoking section of the restaurant?

Anyway ...

If it's against school policy, don't do it on school grounds. Especially if you already got chewed out already. I remember a nursing clinical instructor going off on another student during a rotation who came back from lunch; she used her lunch as a smoke break (and the hospital was a smoke free zone; she smoked in her car). She didn't reek, but you could tell. Her assigned patient was a CF patient that day. She was sent home.

[RN44]

I really dislike everything about smoking. The smell of it, the cost of it, the consequences of it.....every time I see someone smoking it looks ugly to me. That being said both my parents smoke....as a kid I was pretty sickly and smoking gave me migraines for days (allergies). They tried to use the air conditioner and air purifiers to help me but they just couldn't quit smoking. Sadly. My sister and b-i-l smoke now as well. My boyfriend was a smoker but quit before he asked me out on our first date as he knew my history and I appreciate that. As a person if I smelled smoke on a health care provider I would make a judgement....I know that sounds terrible.....but it is the truth. It would also potentially trigger a headache for me. I know it isn't fair to be so harsh on smoking because there are plenty of other unhealthy habits out there (McDonalds, Starbucks, crazy driving, etc) that I don't feel as strongly about. I also know there are so many sophisticated tests now for nicotine and very COSTLY consequences to your insurance premiums.

That being said..... smoking is a choice and it is not illegal. Your instructor should not publicly say anything to you about it. IF you were smoking on school property they could have consulted you privately. I would def advise not to smoke on property anymore. AND I would also tell the instructor in future please address concerns privately.

[8130]

Patients won't want to smell that on your clothes/hair.

[Volley88]

If you're able to extinguish the smell, do whatever you like. Honestly, its your business. It doesn't affect your pathway to become a nurse.

Yes, I can see hypocrisy for an active smoking Nurse to discourage smoking for their patient. Nurses are supposed to be neutral and not disclose too much personal information to their patients.