The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #63464

Linda Sarna, RN, DScN¹, Stella Aguinaga Bialous, RN, DrPH², Mary Ellen Wewers, PhD, MPH³, Erika Froelicher, RN, PhD⁴, and Leda Danao, BSN, PhD¹. (1) School of Nursing, University of California Los Angeles, Box 956918, Factor 4-262, Los Angeles, CA 90095-6918, (310) 825-8690, lsarna@sonnet.ucla.edu, (2) Consultant, 676 Funston Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94118, (3) School of Nursing, The Ohio State University, 1585 Neil Ave., Columbus, OH 43210, (4) School of Nursing, University of California San Francisco, 2 Koret Way, #N-631, San Francisco, CA 94143-0610

Introduction: In the United States, it is estimated that 16%-18% of registered nurses smoke. With the increase in smokefree hospitals in the past decades, continued smoking among nurses creates wokplace health and safety issues that need to be addressed. Methods: Focus groups were conducted in 4 U.S. states with nurses who were current or former smokers in an attempt to identify workplace issues associated with continued smoking by nurses and to identify solutions. Results: Smoking by nurses creates dissension in the workplace. In addition, the stress in the workplace serves as a barrier to successful cessation by nurses, who view cigarettes as “stress relieving devices”. Nurses who smoke are perceived as taking more breaks than those who do not smoke by non-smoking colleagues; and creating resentment and strains in among professional colleagues. On the other hand, nurses who smoke tend to create a sub-culture that supports their addiction and facilitates smoke breaks; and they tend to be less likely and more uncomfortable in providing cessation advice to patients than non smoking nurses. Conclusion: There is an urgent need to address ongoing smoking by nurses because of the negative impact for the profession and patients. Smoking cessation interventions tailored for nurses needs and schedules need to be developed and implemented.

Learning Objectives:

• 1.Recognize that continued smoking by nurses presents a serious issues for workplace safety, quality of care, and professional relationships.
• 2.Articulate key priorities in addressing this workplace issue
• 3.Discuss strategies to improve the healthcare workplace through assisting nurses in their cessation efforts.

Keywords: Nurses, Tobacco

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Grant