Stupid q's: Has smoking cigarettes kept you from getting a job?

[mls4455]

Do any of you smoke cigarettes? And has it kept you from getting a job?

[llg, PhD, RN]

I don't smoke. But I work for a hospital that won't hire people who do. Prospective employees have to pass a nicotene lab test before being hired.

[MySonIsAdorable]

Yeah I have run into this. I am actually trying to quit just passed my nclex so I know I need to quit now, excuse after excuse I give myself, nursing school, nclex, what next? a new job...gotta do it soon.

I went to 2 nursing homes that wont allow smokers, makes sense even though it wasn't fun for me! They don't want to supply health benefits for someone who smokes, that makes sense. They don't want to have their employees smoking, smelling like smoke...that makes sense too. I guess they are just trying to protect themselves from extra expenses.

[mls4455]

Whoa they do that? Guess I need to quit!

[mls4455]

Yeah I have run into this. I am actually trying to quit just passed my nclex so I know I need to quit now, excuse after excuse I give myself, nursing school, nclex, what next? a new job...gotta do it soon.

I went to 2 nursing homes that wont allow smokers, makes sense even though it wasn't fun for me! They don't want to supply health benefits for someone who smokes, that makes sense. They don't want to have their employees smoking, smelling like smoke...that makes sense too. I guess they are just trying to protect themselves from extra expenses.

I do the same thing, I always say this will be my last pack but I'm always right back at the store buying more.

[eatmysoxRN, ASN, RN]

I've seen that employers won't hire smokers. Next they'll do a FLP and set limits for your cholesterol.

[AngelicDarkness]

I don't smoke. But I work for a hospital that won't hire people who do. Prospective employees have to pass a nicotene lab test before being hired.

Can they do that? I thought that would be discrimination?

[Mama_Cashew, ASN, RN]

Can they do that? I thought that would be discrimination?

Smokers aren't a protected class.

[Dazglue, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN]

My employer is a smoke-free facility and will hire smokers. However, they require a nicotine test for all employees yearly and smokers have to pay a higher premium for insurance.

[SoundRN7]

What happens if you quit smoking cigarettes but still use the patch, gum, or e-cigs? They all have nicotine in them.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Trend to not hire smokers started about 2004-2005 due to concerns for employee health and increased employer insurance premiums:

Nursing and smoking....can it hinder your career?

Totally Smoke-Free Facility and Grounds?

LTC: Smoking

[JZ_RN]

I wish they'd fire the smokers at my workplace and not hire any more. Not 'cause I hate smokers (though the smell is just disgusting, true) but because I don't care to be stuck with all your hardest work at the most inopportune times because you have to go take a "smoke break" while I never get any break at all, not even to pee! I also get tired of them whining about contributing to unit activities they voted to participate in. That 5 bucks we ask is less than a pack of cigarettes and you said you wanted to be involved..