Lived Experiences of Registered Nurses Who Stopped Smoking

This study explored the lived experiences of registered nurses who stopped smoking in selected public and private healthcare institutions in Digos City, Davao del Sur. It employed a descriptive phenomenological research design to understand their personal, occupational, and social experiences, reasons and turning points, challenges, coping strategies, and support needs related to smoking cessation. Nine registered nurses who had stopped smoking for at least one year and were currently employed in selected healthcare institutions participated in the study. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used, and data were gathered through a validated researcher-made structured written interview guide. The findings revealed that smoking cessation was a difficult but rewarding journey shaped by health awareness, family responsibilities, professional exposure, social support, and the desire for self-improvement. Participants described critical health scares, encounters with ill patients, and the need to align professional knowledge with personal behavior as major turning points. They also experienced cravings, withdrawal symptoms, disrupted routines, occupational stress, relapse risks, and vaping substitution. Healthy coping practices, family and peer support, workplace encouragement, and recognition of improved health helped sustain abstinence. The study concluded that smoking cessation among nurses is a gradual, multidimensional, and transformative process requiring continuous support. It is recommended that healthcare institutions develop confidential workplace-based cessation programs that include counseling, stress management, relapse prevention, vaping reduction, peer support, and long-term follow-up for participating registered nursing personnel.