Supervised Smoking Requirement Legal?

[adodell85]

So our facility has a new policy where all the residents who smoke have certain hours throughout the day where they can smoke on the porch, supervised by a CNA. Our hall with 3 aides is delegated to supervise the smokers. I was heading down the hall to retrieve a resident when the nurse told me we were overdue for a smoking session. The only aide on our side who's a smoker was still showering a resident. I told the nurse I didn't want to inhale second hand smoke, and that I didn't know how to use a lighter properly. The nurse told me I wasn't being a team player or contributing. Does anyone know where I could find out if there is a law for Idaho that says whether a non-smoker should be forced to inhale second hand smoke on the job? I feel like the RCNs should write ahead of time who will take the smokers out to ensure that no non-smoker CNA should be forced to supervise and help residents smoke, but unless there's some regulation against it they probably wouldn't bother.

[8130]

This should be addressed with management. I had similar duties in the years 2000/2001 and it was a hospital. I found it absolutely discussing and unhealthy. I realize that the nursing home is home to these residents but there has to be a better solution.

[3ringnursing, BSN]

Maybe start with an internet search - beginning with JCAHO, the health department, or the American Cancer Society? You may find some answers to this dilemma. After all, many facilities are smoke free campuses nowadays - and some employers won't even hire a cigarette smoker, adding nicotine to the standard preemployment urine drug screen.

You might be forced to get a note from your PCP for your employer that you absolutely cannot be around cigarette smoke. Period.

As a former smoker I now find the smell revolting - fresh, stale ... it doesn't matter, and it makes my throat sore in remembered pain. Even the burning wood smoke smell from a bonfire or fireplace I find offensive now, triggering the sore throat feeling for me (but then again, there is nothing worse than a reformed smoker - so I realize my 2¢ is a biased one and I try too keep that in mind too).

My best friend and coworker is a many years smoker, and she is absolutely convinced she is able to mask the smell of cigarette smoke on herself after she has indulged. I broke it to her as gently as I could that she is unsuccessful - she had the brass ones to tell me she disagrees. LOL, okay ... (((but you still reek girlfriend))).

E-cigarette vapor doesn't bother me at all - but then again it's water vapor, not the smoke of a burning substance.

I think people (including the residents at your facility) absolutely have the right to be able to smoke - just as you have the right to not inhale their second hand smoke. I think it really boils down to be about a matter of courtesy.

Team player-ness aside, I feel that the nurse in this instance had no right to expect that from you, as it was above and beyond the call of duty (and probably isn't in your job description either). There are few things worse for a nonsmoker than reeking of cigarette smoke yourself after being in the company of a smoker enjoying a stogie.

Good luck. The odds are in your favor.

[Wastelander86]

I would try and do what is asked of you by the nurse the residents have a right to smoke they are obviously unable to care for themselves completely and need your assistance and support let them enjoy what pleasures they can get from life also you sont want to put any extra negative attention on yourself at work if you're outside you re not really inhaling second hand smoke if it bothers you thatch maybe ask if you can stand away from the smoke once you've helped the light their cigarettes...try and find a middle ground where you're doing what's asked of you and you feel comfortable don't try and go over the nurses head right away