stinking of cigarette smoke

[sisterfaye]

:angryfire Is there anyone out there who agrees with me?

I work on a ward where we frequently provide palliative care for patients with cancer (amongst other things). I cannot stress how much it infuriates me when nurses who are smokers go into a dying cancer patient's room stinking of cigarette smoke.

In my opinion this is so morally and ethically wrong that I took my concerns to our unit manager after a patient's family made a complaint to me about another nurse. Unfortunately the NUM also smokes like a chimney and bla bla bla bla nothing was done.

Now that I have unloaded I feel more able to look at the situation objectively and decide on a course of action through appropriate channels.

I would welcome any and all opinions on smoking in the workplace.

(Please let it be known that I do not object to any person's right to smoke off the ward if they wish, only in the circumstances descibed above).

[LilPeanut, MSN, RN, NP]

You know, if I want to smoke pot, take 10 valium or shoot heroin in my own time, in my own home, what business is it of my employers that I do that, as long as I come to work sober?

/sarcasm

[RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN]

Here ya go, a link to the story:

Your smokes or your job

In less than a year, Scotts Miracle-Gro plans to start firing employees who light up-even at home

Friday, December 09, 2005

"Beginning in October, smoking will be significantly more expensive for employees of Scotts Miracle-Gro Co.

Lighting up, even at home, will cost them their jobs......"

rest of the story at:

http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2005/12/09/20051209-A1-01.html

So don't be TOO terribly surprised hospitals will follow suit in the future. It's about insurance costs and all that......

Their plan is pretty radical, help them any way they can to stop smoking and they built a muli-million dollar fitness center for the employees to work out in---but it means no smoking, even off the job! I can see this catching in other companies, including hospitals if it has not already.

Is this fair? You decide....

With the rising costs of healthcare.........can't blame them.

[RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN]

Believing that all people have the right to smoke on their own time, I also believe that nurses should not smell like cigarette smoke when they come to work or anytime during their shift. Smoking is like a blanket that covers your hair, clothes, and breath. It is a smell that sticks with you throughout the day. In nursing school we were told not to wear perfume as the strong odor would offend some patients with sensitive noses. Well why don't they ban smokers from smoking on their shift to not offend these same sensitive noses??? I agree that in the hospital setting especially the cancer ward where some of these patients may have been trying to quit smoking due to their cancer from smoking, it is very offensive to the patient, family, and coworkers.

I agree wit you.

[Barb2000]

You know, if I want to smoke pot, take 10 valium or shoot heroin in my own time, in my own home, what business is it of my employers that I do that, as long as I come to work sober?

/sarcasm[/Q

Good point! I know of 2 RN's who were drug tested (the typical pre employment drug testing), and were positive for marijuana. They used it the same as people who have few drinks on their weekend off. BUT, they were denied employment and reported to the Brd of Nsg. And now, are under a monitoring contract, with drug testing, for a year. And yet, I know RN's who party with alcohol on their weekends off, yet are sober to work monday am, and are excellent on the job. Yet, someone who has marijuana in their system, which they used on their off-time, is considered a potential drug addict.

[rpv_rn]

You know, if I want to smoke pot, take 10 valium or shoot heroin in my own time, in my own home, what business is it of my employers that I do that, as long as I come to work sober?

/sarcasm[/Q

Good point! I know of 2 RN's who were drug tested (the typical pre employment drug testing), and were positive for marijuana. They used it the same as people who have few drinks on their weekend off. BUT, they were denied employment and reported to the Brd of Nsg. And now, are under a monitoring contract, with drug testing, for a year. And yet, I know RN's who party with alcohol on their weekends off, yet are sober to work monday am, and are excellent on the job. Yet, someone who has marijuana in their system, which they used on their off-time, is considered a potential drug addict.

The difference: alcohol is legal; marijuana is illegal.

[jimthorp]

The difference: alcohol is legal; marijuana is illegal.

So isn't speeding but neither the board nor employers care about that.

[leslie :-D]

So isn't speeding but neither the board nor employers care about that.

regardless of the bon's personal view on pot-smoking, they are obliged to uphold the law and therefore penalize a nurse who tests positive.

speeding isn't going to potentially harm the pts. that's the way they look at it, whether they agree w/it or not.....they are legally obliged to penalize any nurse using illegal substances.

[Corvette Guy]

The difference: alcohol is legal; marijuana is illegal.

BINGO!

[Corvette Guy]

So isn't speeding but neither the board nor employers care about that.

Hey! I resemble that remark :roll

[LilPeanut, MSN, RN, NP]

Is someone truly safe though if they are going through withdrawl while trying to work?

[Corvette Guy]

Is someone truly safe though if they are going through withdrawl while trying to work?

Huh? Once I park my Vette I have no more withdrawals for the need to speed. :rotfl:

[jimthorp]

Huh? Once I park my Vette I have no more withdrawals for the need to speed. :rotfl:

Yea, but how long does it take you to get to the point you are ready to park it, LOL.