while i do find it hypicritical for someone who knows all the bad things and outcomes that come from smoking. i don't think we should judge them, because we don't know the person nor the reasons why they have started in the first place. maybe they started before they realized they wanted to become a doctor or nurse. and all they want is, not to be called a hypocrite but rather a helping hand to help them stop doing something they haven't been able to do alone.

 food for thought :)

I am an x smoker too. As smokers we don't realize how bad we smell to people who do not smoke, and It's not appealing. As a health care provider I think it is not good judgement to attend to patients right after you have had a cigarette. It is offensive. And not setting a good example to others...

I am a nursing student.  I know the health problems associated with smoking.  I am very sure that most doctors and nurses are aware of the health problems associated with this addictive habit.  I call it "addictive habit" because it is both.  The habit is the hardest  to break in my opinion.  There are certain times of day, or things that you do that you want a "smoke".  When you are driving down the road especially on a long trip, when you have a cup of coffee or drink a beer, even if you have not had a cigarette in a month you feel like you need it.  The event really doesn't feel "right" without at least one in your hand.  It is heard to explain and I know sounds kind of weird but for me, it is the hardest part of quiting.

I am not sure I would call myself a smoker or not.  In 06 I quite until my son died in 08, and I went back to over a pack a day. In Nov. I decided to quite again.  Being the only nursing student in the school that smoked I heard my share of lectures.  I however told them all to bite me.  I have, I guess, quite smoking, that is until I get to drinking, then I want a cigarette, and then in the morning with my throat feels like I have been swallowing sand paper, I don't anymore. 

I guess my point is everyone has their own reasons for smoking and/or quiting, and should not be judged. 

Yes it is someone's own personal choice to smoke. However it becomes unfair to everyone else when smokers end up taking more or longer breaks than everyone else in order to support their habit.  Non-smokers should not be punished because either they were smart enough not to start smoking in the first place, or they had the self-control and will power to quit.  Yes there are other conditions that are terrible too, such as obesity, but I'd have to argue that smoking has a more negative effect on those who are non-smokers (2nd hand smoke, frequent breaks, smell, etc.). 

I am a nurse who smokes and frankly I am infuriated at the audacity of the anti smokers!! It is a personal decsion and yes I am addicted, but I can not believe the freedom others feel to critize smokers with comments to smokers that would never be used for any other habit. Would you feel free to mention to an obese coworker that she should not put that doughnut in her mouth as she was eating? I am not overweight, work out frequently and otherwise take good care of myself. If it is appropriate to call me unprofessional etc. than the same paintbrush should be used for ALL behaviors that humans engage in, as medical professionals are human, including eating fast food, drinking alcholic beverages, watching too much tv etc. When one can honestly say that they eat right, exercise, and have no bad habits feel free to justify leading by example, until then ENOUGH!

With the exception of my mum and myself, my whole family smokes (my sis occassionally does....which makes me very unhappy).  My father finally stopped, but he wasn't ready when he did... but a massive heart attack helped him change his mind.  I love my husband with all my heart, he stopped once, but decided he wanted to continue.  He isn't ready and I can't push him....he has to want to stop.

We are all human, some smoke, some drink, some do drugs...and there are those who are health nuts and drink protein smoothies....lol Irregardless, we are all aloud to have our own way of life and live as we please whether or not it is healthy or someone agrees.  I totally disagree with smoking, because I have seen first hand what it does, and the end result, but that does not mean that I would resist care from a Dr. or Nurse who I may have seen outside on a smoke break....that is their choice.  It does not limit them from caring for anyone, infact they could be great educational tool. 

Smoking is a choice...good, bad, or otherwise.  Nagging is not going to change someones habit, but education can. 

mvariz says ...

Yes it is someone's own personal choice to smoke. However it becomes unfair to everyone else when smokers end up taking more or longer breaks than everyone else in order to support their habit.  Non-smokers should not be punished because either they were smart enough not to start smoking in the first place, or they had the self-control and will power to quit.  Yes there are other conditions that are terrible too, such as obesity, but I'd have to argue that smoking has a more negative effect on those who are non-smokers (2nd hand smoke, frequent breaks, smell, etc.). 

Sorry but NOT TRUE! I take faster and less frequent breaks than the nonsmoking nurses I work with. I rarely have this smell at work as I work hard to make sure I don't offend anyone.

TO EVERYONE ELSE. ALL YOUR NAGGING ABOUT ONE GROUPS BAD HABITS DOES NOTHING BUT PISS US OFF. SO YOU PUT DOWN THE CHEESEBURGER, PUT BACK THAT BEER, QUIT TAKING ALL THOSE UNNECESSARY PAIN MEDS, GET SOME EXERCISE, LOSE SOME WEIGHT, TAKE CARE OF YOUR CHILDREN............should I go on? There are worse things out there than nurses and doctors who smoke. We still do our job. If you have never tried to quit smoking than please don't post this crap anymore! It is not as easy as you think. 

I voted that I find nurses who smoke disgusting. I'd like to amend that. I know how hard it is to quit, nicotine is a powerful addictive agent. It takes an inner force stronger than the body's craing for the drug to be able to quit. I have smoked (when I was a nursing student and worked as a CNA, the only breaks I got were when I had a cigarette in my hand). My husband smoked 3 packs a day, until he found a reason stronger than nicotine to quit (he found religion) 28 years ago.  Now that I am no longer exposed to second hand smoke, I have developed an allergy to it and get a migraine headache when exposed.  What I really think is disgusting is a health-care personnel clustered around the emergency room door smoking, so those seeking care have to wade through a cloud of smoke to enter the hospital. Kathy S.

Yes, I am a smoker.  I am working to be an ex-smoker, but with the other stresses in my life at this point in time it is difficult.  I do make sure that I smoke so that I don't smell of it when I'm done, because I am fully aware of the stink that follows you, and I am careful to check that my breath doesn' t offend as well (many of my co-workers have no idea that I smoke).  I know it is a bad habit, but there are worse, as so many have pointed out already, and I also know that using cigarettes as a crutch against stress is bad, but it's the worst habit I have currently.  I take care of myself otherwise with a good diet, exercise regularly, and manage to juggle working full-time with going to school for my RN full-time and raising two children- who never see me smoke.

Congratulations to those of you who have quit!  For those of you looking into Chantix, I've heard good reports and bad from friends- it made my mother dyslexic till she quit, but a friend of mine's been quit for quite a while now, after 30+ smoky years.  For the non-smokers, please stop being judgemental of the rest of us.  Yes, we know the horrors.  Because we choose to smoke does not make us poor workers or bad role models.  As a smoker I can find common ground with my patients who crave a smoke while they're admitted, and can talk with them candidly about smoking and the reasons to quit.  I do this on a regular basis, not as a hypocrit but as a fellow smoker who understands both the risks and the calming effects it can have.  My patients tend to listen to me because I'm not preaching, and I run into many of them in local stores (I live and work in a small town).  Many do quit, and ask how my progress is.  Most patients do hold health care workers in high regards, but can connect better when they realize that we are merely human as well.

why do i have to care....i personally smoke to release stress especially the kind of job i am doing right now,as long as nurses or doctors does not steal drugs or intoxicated when performing their job...you can just wash your hands,spray perfume and gargle......you don't affect your pts really unless you smoke infront of them...that is the question

If I remember correctly, the Hippocratic Oath starts with the words, "First, do no harm."  That should include harm to self.  When medical professionals harm themselves with smoking and other bad health habits, they compromise the level of care they can give their clients, the limit the length of time they can give care, and they reduce their moral power to induce good health habits among their clients.  I know that quitting smoking, drinking, overeating, drug abuse - including caffeine- is difficult.  I know that starting an exercise program, a good nutrition program and adequate sunlight, rest, fresh air and trust in God is also challenging.  But, for those of us who claim to be Christians, at least, it is the way of life that Christ, Scripture and practical wisdom call for.  The good news is that Christ never asks us to do something that He has not done and that He will not help us do.  It has been accurately stated, "All His biddings are enablings."  If you are ready for some solid support in a healthy lifestyle, contact me, robertfuller2005@gmail.com.  God bless every healthcare provider that reads this with the health they aim to provide.

Nursejenny1310 says ...

jane_0126 says ...

We don't only alleviate the symptoms of smokers but we also provide patient education. We teach people to stop smoking because of the various effects it could cause to our body. Now, isn't it hypocracy if the health care providers who teach such things smokes??? How could you even teach such thing if you yourself don't practice it? I don't judge the patients because they may be unaware of the degree of damage it could cause. But for health care providers, they should know better...

You can't tell me that joe blow walking down the street does NOT know what smoking does to you. I HATE THAT SMOKERS GET SINGLED OUT! No one at my work knows I smoke excpet for those that smoke with me! But I hear about all the ragging on smokers because they say it in front of me thinking I am not "one of them". We are not disgusting little bugs sent here to bother you personally. Don't you think I would love to quit? I wish I could but right now I am not ready. And again I will point out that WE ARE ALL HUMAN! And every stinking one of us, smoker or non, has some bad habit with which "we should no better" You arew judging patients. You have doctors, nurses, exdoctors, exnurses as patients frequently I assume? DONOT JUDGE> IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN THERE YOU DONOT KNOW WHAT IT"S LIKE. Like the old saying, walk a mile in someone elses shoes.............................. So enough already.

 

I still stand by my word that some people doesn't understand the effects of smoking until they have been to the situation already wherein it is hard for them to quit. I believe that not everyone knows that nicotine from cigarettes can lead to addiction. Most esp. the kids who are curious and sees that people who are smoking are cool. And when they grow old and manifest the symptoms that this causes they try to quit but it is hard for them because they have become addicted to the nicotine!

I didn't say that smokers are disgusting!!! And to tell you, you don't have to be in that kind of situation to know what it's like. Just by handling patients or going house to house in communities and interviewing such persons and their families you'll know what it is like. I know that quitting is hard. Simply because habits or addiction is hard to break. But if other people can do it, why can't you? It would just take time and a little tapering. Try to limit the amount of cigarettes that you usually use. I'm sure you know the rest since we provide such education to patients and their families.

 

I still can't get over how everyone is acting as if smokers ar the worst population on the planet. Does no one understand what we have been saying? EVERYONE HAS BAD HABITS! ONES THAT WE ALL KNOW BETTER FOR. You can damn us all as it seems you want to do but we still work hard EVERYDAY! As a matter of fact I word 200+ hours last month and still managed to be a housewife. I am a person just like you. Yes I smoke, SHAME ON ME! But you know what, I don't judge my patients who smoke because I know what its like. I don't judge other nurses because they are overweight, I didn't even judge the nurse that got fired for stealing narcotics. You know Why? BECAUSE WE ARE ALL HUMANS! You have absolutley no damn right to judge us. You were not given that authority because you became a healthcare worker. And the shall do no harm oath is fine, but harm is done also when you judge the smokers. If you want to call us hypocrites than make sure you remeber that next time you skip your exercise routine, or make a stop at McDonalds, or drink that beer. I AM SO TIRED OF THIS!! We are peolpe for crying out loud! I feel like screaming when I read some of these posts. GET OFF YOUR HIGH HORSE AND TAKE A LOOK AROUND! You don't like it? SO WHAT! I AM NOT HURTING YOU! I will quit when I am damn good and ready so there!

I work as an LPN in a cardiovascular surgeon's office. We have one surgeon that does smoke. I sure did think of what hiprocracy it did portray of someone who opens people's chests and operates on their hearts! This surgeon also operates on people with lung cancer. Need I say more about this subject!

Nursejenny1310 says ...

Sorry but NOT TRUE! I take faster and less frequent breaks than the nonsmoking nurses I work with. I rarely have this smell at work as I work hard to make sure I don't offend anyone

Honestly being curious here... How do you keep the smell off of your clothes/hair? I've never seen a smoker who has been able to escape the tell-tale odor... I'm not doubting you- just saying- if you really do manage this- it's definately a useful skill to pass on, because I know quite a few who think it's not an issue- but for those who don't smoke, it can be.... Just as bad as overuse of perfume etc. (And currently I have a co-worker who I'd LOVE to share this info with!) :)