Controveral Topic: Using medications for studying and exams

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Dec 17, 2015

Both drugs are prescription only controlled substances, it's illegal to obtain without a prescription in the US

annie.rn · Dec 17, 2015

Neither are without potentially serious side effects and should not be taken w/o a medical provider's prescription and supervision. If one legitimately has an illness requiring these drugs and he/she obtains them through the proper channels, more power to them. Otherwise, any use of these drugs is illegal, potentially dangerous and constitutes cheating.

achurley · Dec 17, 2015

Even when you take legality out of the equation (and you can't if there is no rx), I feel like this is equal to an athlete who takes steroids to enhance their performance. It is cheating to the other athletes, as this would be cheating to the other students. It doesn't show sportsmanship, it shows you are going to take the faster, easier route to the end goal, which someone else is going to bend over backwards to get there by other means.

It also is a slippery slope because what will that person do when they are under stress, out of school and taking care of patients? Will they start self medicating in other ways to get them through a night shift or to manage their own stress?

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Dec 17, 2015

There are some misconceptions. Taking stimulants may make you THINK you are studying more effectively, but actually, the end result is not what you think. HERE is one of the studies. You may think you're doing great because you can "study" all night without becoming drowsy, right? However, your test-taking results will probably be worse than if you had studied without the pharmaceuticals. Sort of like those absolutely brilliant ideas that people have when they are under the influence -- usually don't end well.

Nursing is an evidence-based profession. It's never too early to begin.