Smoking in Unform..unprofessional???

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Specializes in renal,peritoneal dialysis, medicine.

Hi Guys!!

I am a long time member of this forum, recently inactive for various reasons..anyway, hello to all of those who know me, and those of you that dont!! :)

Heres a little question i wanted to ask the forum, this week my trust has introduced a ban on nurses smoking in uniform by the front door of the hospital as it gives the patients a bad impression and looks unprofessional, all smokers (im not one myself, i add) must now go to the back of the hospital to smoke in the loading bay area.

there are smoking shelters at the front of the hospital (patient use) the nurses must not use these but go to the rear of the hospital as stated above.

so, my question is...what is your opinion? is this right, does a smoking nurse look unprofessional?, whats next, fat nurses banned from eating crisps in their uniform?? :confused:

I am not saying that the trust is wrong (heaven forbid) just wondered what you all think?

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Actually, I am surprised they are allowed to smoke on site at all. It is unprofessional and makes their clothing stink (although they can't smell it, everyone else can!).

And yes, why not ban fat nurses from eating crisps when in uniform - there is an obesity epidemic in this country and healthcare professionals should set as good an example as they can.

May the flaming begin...........:devil:

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

I know the hospital I used to work at a few years ago banned smoking on the site full stop and whilst I was working there there was designated staff areas outside for staff only

Hi EN long time no see, hope you are all keeping well :)

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I have no opinion on nurses smoking in uniform but they should NOT be sharing a smoking area with patients, that is a liability nightmare.

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Specializes in renal,peritoneal dialysis, medicine.

hi mrs dragon!

we are not keeping too badly at all thanks....although I have just submitted an application to be a post grad trainee midwife.. something which i would have done staright from nurse training if i hadnt started NCLEX study etc!!

any advice anyone??? im a bit concerned about the interview...

hows tricks in Canada???

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Great EN I am sure you will enjoy doing that although not something I would enjoy :)

Check out Sharrie's links re interviews (can find links at the bottom of her posts) but I am sure you will do great

Loving it out here, seeing all sorts of wildlife (deer, bald eagles, raccoons etc :D) just applied for permanent residency.

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Specializes in renal,peritoneal dialysis, medicine.

thats just smashing!!! i see your stuff on Fb sometimes and i smile!

thanks for the advice :)

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Our trust is smoke free for staff, they have to go out of the main entrance and onto the street outside to smoke.

I am an ex-smoker who hates the smell, and think it's not fair for people to have to dodge hospital staff when walking down the road- the hospital should provide smoking shelters for everybody.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, DSU, Ortho, Onc, Psych.

I had to have day surgery once, and the nurse that was prepping me absolutely REEKED of smoke - her fingers were all stained, and so were her teeth, it was disgusting. And because I had been fasting the smell made me feel sick to my stomach. I have never smoked - it makes you stink and you think others can't smell it. My ex used to smoke (he gave up) and if I didn't wash his clothes separately, mine were all stinky and people used to think I smoked! Horrid habit, but I have been told worse than heroin to kick. And the large public teaching hospitals I have worked at don't allow smoking on site, only some designated areas. As to patients & nurses smoking together, I have seen this all the time, never really wondered about it to be honest. They share lights and ciggies.

Not a good image overall I don't think.

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Specializes in med/surg.

Hey EN!! Nice to see you back!

When I left the UK both the NHS Trust I worked at & the Private hospital in the 2 years prior to my leaving were supposed to be smoke free!

I say "supposed" because the nurse at the Trust went out on the balcony of the unit (it went right round the corner & they couldn't be seen) & in the Private hospital they just went out the back of the OR, where again they couldn't be seen!

Here in Canada we are also supposed to be smoke free but pts & nurses alike stand on the very no smoking markings painted on the pavement & smoke - pts out front, nurses & other staff out back!! Honestly it makes me laugh to see them all - especially when it's - 20+ degrees (in which case the staff all huddle over a warm air vent out back!!!)

I don't think you'll stop hard & fast smokers so I think the best thing is to provide shelters (seperate for staff & pts) & let them get on with it.

What I hate more is the smokers in the staff who use their habit to get extra breaks - you ALL know what I mean!

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Specializes in Dialysis, Nephrology & Cosmetic Surgery.

In my last Trust all the managers where on a rota to patrole the hospital grounds to seek out anyone smoking and inform them it was not allowed on site. It was only stopped when the local press published a derogatory story on the idea of ward managers being taken out of the clinical area to act as smoking police.

If any member of staff was caught smoking it led to disciplinary action - went on your locally kept records and could in theory lead to dismissal. I was suprised when I started at my current Trust that they have allocated smoking areas for staff as I had assumed that this was a national initiative.

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Specializes in renal,peritoneal dialysis, medicine.

thanks for the replys, its certainly been interesting!

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