Drunk in Public supposed RN

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Watching Hard Rock : REHAB party on I think TRU TV. One of the patrons was a supposed RN, who was not only removed from the property, but arrested for ETOH related issues on the show and so on. What can happen to her if anything?

WOW.

I know she was going crazy on the show even in the patrol car.

Why on earth she screamed she was a RN to get out of it, I had no idea.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Geriatrics, LTC.

In NY you can lose your nursing license

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Specializes in ICU, ER, EP,.

It's funny how we've been taught to accept this and no one sees anything wrong with it.

The AMA (american medical assoc.) helps hide MD's in this same spot. In fact nurses loose their license regularly where the boy's club protects their own for the same infractions.

Any nurse that throws the first stone... should really review what happens to docs in the same instance.

I've had many a doc with their licenses suspended over and over again... and they just get the license back... not so for nurses...research your docs and do a comparison.

You're all sheep having been taught to throw stones while our docs protect themselves. Just compare conviction and license revocation rates for similar infractions..... you'll be mighty surprised.

I say just like the docs... what I do in my spare time, off the clock is my own business... they are protected by the AMA, we as nurses are not.

and FYI, I have no infractions personally... but I am aware of the politics.

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Specializes in mental health + aged care.
It's funny how we've been taught to accept this and no one sees anything wrong with it.

The AMA (american medical assoc.) helps hide MD's in this same spot. In fact nurses loose their license regularly where the boy's club protects their own for the same infractions.

Interestingly, in New Zealand, both docs and nurses (and all other health professionals, for that matter) would have to go up against the same tribunal for whatever infractions. At least this gives some semblance of fairness, even if it meant the rules became stricter for us nurses

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This example is a textbook definition of slander, with the accompanying real damages to reputation in the workplace.

Not very nice.

slander is punishable by law and has hefty fines, if the wronged nurse is reading this, act now, coz nurse X ows you some money

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It's funny how we've been taught to accept this and no one sees anything wrong with it.

The AMA (american medical assoc.) helps hide MD's in this same spot. In fact nurses loose their license regularly where the boy's club protects their own for the same infractions.

Any nurse that throws the first stone... should really review what happens to docs in the same instance.

I've had many a doc with their licenses suspended over and over again... and they just get the license back... not so for nurses...research your docs and do a comparison.

You're all sheep having been taught to throw stones while our docs protect themselves. Just compare conviction and license revocation rates for similar infractions..... you'll be mighty surprised.

That is not true in all areas all the time. The doctors who have been identified as having drug and alcohol problems are put through the same random drug testing as any other health care professional. They can lose their license just like any other health care professional. In fact, just like any other health care professional their name, violation and punishment are also on most states' Board of Medicine website for viewing.

However, if a physician is turned in for help by his/her peer group of other physicians, you are less likely to hear about it in the gossip lounge. In that regards they may have greater respect for each other and will take action rather than just gossiping about the person. They are also well aware of their group's reputation and that of the hospital if a physician's problem gets out of hand. And, they know it is a waste to stand by and watch someone's career and reputation go down the drain. Usually their intervention is early which is why some Physicians do get their ability to practice medicine again back.

Nurses and most other medical professionals are also usually afforded the opportunity to enter a program to get their life and professional career back on track. If they choose not to seek help on their own or when it is presented as an option by their employer, then there is little choice but to take it to the next level. Those who believe they are protecting a co-worker because they think that is what the doctors do is doing that person a disservice. Turning a blind eye and establishing your own "good ol' boy wall of silence" allows your co-worker to dig a deeper hole for themself and one which then leaves their employer and the BON little choice. When it comes to the safety of patients and the public as well as the family of that co-worker, the blind eye approach is not always the best nor is the kid gloves act. There are still many people working in health care with addiction problems who have co-workers covering and just picking up the slack for them. You don't want to wait until they make national headlines if a patient is harmed or they are arrested and their career is ruined. Then all you hear is "I always knew they had a problem" in the gossip lounge.

This is California's Diversion Program:

http://www.rn.ca.gov/diversion/whatisdiv.shtml

New Mexico

http://www.bon.state.nm.us/diversion_faq.php

This is a good article that describes the discrepancies between the states and mandatory reporting. It is on Medscape but registration is free.

Dilemmas in Mandatory Reporting for Nurses

http://cme.medscape.com/viewarticle/585562

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Regardless of what the rules are for Doctor's it is wrong. It is wrong to turn a blind eye on any health professional doing something unprofessional. I'm no perfect angel but if you are intoxicated to the point where some intervention needs to be made be it legal or medical then you should have consequences in your professional life. Get drunk to the point of complete beligerence or with the need to get ones' stomach pumped is not just having some fun, that person likely has a problem. It takes a decent amount of alcohol to get etoh poisoning, it's stupid and beyond reckless to drive under the influence, and if you are drinking enough to go crazy on anyone let alone cops then you did something wrong. Nurses and other health care professionals are held to a higher standard. We (I include myself as a student nurse) hold peoples' lives in our hands. Such responsibility requires maturity and an ability to think critically. If you are getting drunk, high, whatever to the point where something needs to be done to keep you and/or everyone else safe you may be lacking in some of this or you may have a disease (substance abuse) that needs to be addressed. So, no I'm not against going out and getting a couple of beers, drink of choice whatever after a long week, but be aware of how much is too much. As medical professionals we also have a unique understanding of how these things affect our bodies. Professional repercussions help to prevent unfit nurses from practicing and help otherwise great nurses get the help they need BEFORE it starts impacting how they practice.

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Specializes in cardiovascular.

Considering the fact that the nursing profession is mostly women, how much women gossip (honestly!), and the *almost* unbelieveable number if posts on this forum about 'nurses eating their young', 'backstabbing', etc. I myself try really hard to keep my private life PRIVATE . . . including when/where/how much I consume alcohol. I am ready to stop, drop and pee ANYTIME but I deliberately say nothing about my social gatherings, which also do not include coworkers. But I also drink responsibly, almost exclusively at home, and NEVER to the point of impairment or illness, one, just ONE is enough. Really.

For those who can't stop, get help, if you're a friend of someone having a hard time - do an intervention, no offense, but we've all seen alcoholics and both the long and short term consequences of alcohol consumption.

Just as kind of a thought for the day, a busy Friday just after the full moon, I work tonight and it's going to be crazy I know, so I am also reminding myself here, be kind to yourself, give yourself a break, life is hard - then take a deep breath and TRY to give that to your patients too. (I think I might write this down on a card and put it in my pocket for tonight!)

Best to all!

Andi

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