Addiction to Tobacco in Nurses as a Determinant of Work Performance and Interpersonal Relations Cover Image

Závislosť na tabaku u sestier ako determinant pracovného výkonu a interpersonálnych vzťahov
Addiction to Tobacco in Nurses as a Determinant of Work Performance and Interpersonal Relations

Author(s): Viera Hulková, Mária Kilíková, Vladimír Meluš
Subject(s): Health and medicine and law
Published by: VERBUM - vydavateľstvo Katolíckej univerzity v Ružomberku
Keywords: Smoking; Nursing care; Work performance; Nurses

Summary/Abstract: Background: Smoking is a long-term problem in our society and is still socially tolerated, unlike other addictions. The intention of the authors is to provide an insight into smoking among nurses from the labor law aspect, management in nursing and as a reason for possible interpersonal conflicts. Objective: The study aimed to determine the impact of tobacco dependence on nurses on their work performance and interpersonal relationships. Material and methods: The data were collected through non-standardized questionnaires in the period July 2020-March 2021. The questionnaires were prepared in three versions according to the target sample for which they were intended. The sample consisted of 381 nurses worked in hospitals in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Results: 49% of non-smoking nurses and 30% of smoking nurses consider smoking to be a determinant of work performance. We calculated the economic loss for the employer at 862.50 € per nurse-smoker per year. An alarming finding is a lack of interest or a neutral attitude on the part of managers in dealing with the issue of smoking during working time. Conclusion: Nurses managers should begin to perceive nurses’ smoking as a limiting factor in nurses’ work performance, given the shorter time devoted to the provision of nursing care, but also the impact of smoking on nurses’ health and interpersonal relationships in the team.

  • Issue Year: XIV/2022
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 43-47
  • Page Count: 5
  • Language: Slovak