Nurses and alcohol - Page 3

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  1. Jul 2, '12 by
    Quote from MN-Nurse
    Nurses probably have addiction rates that are about the same as the rest of society - which is pretty bad.

    That being said, I have taken care of many, many, many ETOH withdrawal, cirrhosis, varicies, gastritis, pancreatitis and other enjoyable patients.

    None of them have been nurses. Yesterday was a mechanic, the other day, a chef, previous to that, a crack addict, before that, records processor, sales manager, bank officer.....these patients are from every occupation.

    I'm past my partying days and I rarely drink....but I still can go out and tie one on with my coworkers once in a while. To an outside observer, it looks like we are booze crazy, and we play it up and have a good time.
    Actually, and I don't have the actual research but I believe it was in my fundies text, but in our first semester our professor told us that nurse have a much higher rate for substance abuse and that it is a high stress job as well.
  2. Jul 2, '12 by
    Quote from Been there,done that
    What area are you working in? Wherever it is, these comments are unprofessional. Those conversations could be overheard by family, patients and ancillary staff.
    Nurses are expected to be pillars of the community.
    How they deal with the stress of the profession should be kept private.
    There's nothing "private" about it -- these things go on in public places. I haven't seen anyone "outed" here for bad behavior, and most of the comments seem to uphold a fair amount of anonymity. I don't see anyone naming names... We're just discussing.
  3. Jul 2, '12 by
    Quote from malamud69
    Not sure if you are referring to the "partying hard" quote...private??? Why should it be so private when someone goes out the night before they are supposed to be in to work and still has alcohol coursing through there veins when they come in...we all know that happens daily, everywhere. I don't care what anybody says...it is not safe and they cannot perform like they should whether they are 20 or 60 and should never be condoned.
    I would like to just clarify one thing here in regards to my specific comment about my friend -- he does NOT go out and get sloshed the night before work. I am strictly speaking about times we have been on group vacations, long weekends, etc.
  4. Guide
    Jul 2, '12 by
    I had not read this thread when I just wrote an article so it is not in response to what I read here. The article is clear about my thoughts on the topic. We are not saints and don't need to be, but in public I believe we need to present ourselves with some decorum.
    kdbean530 and iluvpatho like this.
  5. Jul 2, '12 by
    Thank god for the bar that opens up at 0700 for the night shifters to go to. Yes we can put it down. So can many professions.

    Work hard play harder.
  6. Jul 2, '12 by
    As long as they are not drunk while on duty or patients are suffering because they are so hung over they cannot function, no biggie to me.

    It started in nursing school, we would celebrate the end of the semester and man could we put away some ETOH.

    Now Im more likely to go out for a drink or two.
  7. Jul 2, '12 by
    Quote from Been there,done that
    Nurses are expected to be pillars of the community.
    :lol:
  8. Jul 2, '12 by
    Quote from ericabeth
    There's nothing "private" about it -- these things go on in public places. I haven't seen anyone "outed" here for bad behavior, and most of the comments seem to uphold a fair amount of anonymity. I don't see anyone naming names... We're just discussing.
    Per the original poster "One thing I'm learning is that nurses can drink! They talk about drinking their entire shift," The main issue here is any DISCUSSION about drinking needs to be out of earshot of families. patients, doctors.. etc.
    ImKosher likes this.
  9. Jul 2, '12 by
    Quote from dirtyhippiegirl
    :lol:
    May I ask why you are laughing at the statement that nurses are expected to be pillars of the community?
  10. Jul 2, '12 by
    I don't mind a beer after a hard days work. I don't mind social drinking, but you do need to keep it seperate from work. Particularly when your in a patients room discussing that "last party" with a co-worker. Need to keep alcohol and work seperate and in private.
    kdbean530 and Been there,done that like this.