Hey everyone,
So im a 20 year old nursing student who smokes marijuana recreationally.
I have maintained a 4.0 in the program I am in. I get excellent comments from my clinical instructors/staff nurses on site. I smoke on the weekends, do not drink, never 'popped' a pill, or have used 'hard' drugs, and yet I'm a 'pot head'.
I understand what it takes to be a nurse, and plan on getting 'clean' within a month or two, and that will be it for my marijuana use.
I have to say, from time to time I feel guilty for smoking pot while doing patient care-all though I feel fully capable of doing procedure's, and honestly would rather me do it, than some of my fellow non-smoking classmates.
So...what is your opinion?
*side note: I have never/will never come to school or a facility high. It pops into my mind some times when I'm on site, that I smoke marijuana, and feel guilty for it.
Jun 22, '09
Smoking marijuana is pretty much illegal everywhere, isn't it?? So it would be wrong, actually on two levels: It's against the law, and it impairs the thought process. If it were legal to smoke it, it would still be wrong to smoke prior to coming to work, in the same way that being impaired by other drugs and alcohol would be... JMHO
Jun 22, '09
How did you pass a drug test?
Jun 22, '09
I'm one of those folks that believe it should be legalized...along with every other non-pharmaceutical drug such as crack, cocaine, etc....I say if people want to waste their life on a mind-altering substance, have at it.
However, know that a hair follicle test, which some hospitals do us, can trace back 90 days of use.
Don't ask yourself the moral or even the legal question...ask yourself if MJ is worth trashing your entire nursing career for.
To me, that is a pretty easy choice.
Jun 22, '09
The problem is that it is illegal. It does not fit with ethical or professional behavior of a nurse as defined by your state's nursing practice act. Coming to work under the influence is the equivalent of drinking alcohol and coming to your shift. I know you stated that you would never do this, but that the thought had occurred to you.
People have abused substances for thousands of years. It has gone in and out of favor, depending on what society you live in. So really it depends on who you are asking. The problems that most people have with substance abuse is that it takes control of their lives and they become dysfunctional with or without their substance of choice.
What are the pros and cons of using marijuana for you? Maybe making a list like that can help you to determine the answer for yourself.
Personally, I find my gratification in helping people and being the most informed and efficient that I can be, you don't "need" drugs for that.
Jun 22, '09
Also, keep in mind that as an employee in a healthcare facility you could be subject to random drug tests. Marijuana stays in you for quite awhile, and I think if it was discovered in you, you'd be without a job pretty quickly.
Jun 23, '09
You have to quit. It is not worth it.
Jun 23, '09
If you are caught in a random drug test you would be jeopardizing getting your license or keeping your license, plus you would go through a lot of distress. Take some time to do some reading on the nurses in recovery forum. You could be destroying your career for good. You say you are planning on quitting soon. Make that a reality sooner rather than later and you will be able to relax about three or four months afterward. Good luck.
Jun 23, '09
Let's see, another new member, who's first post is aimed at the marijuana debate. While it may be legit, I am still a little skeptical because of past trolls regarding this argument.
This one is a no brainer: Smoking pot is illegal. It is that simple.
Jun 23, '09
Since it is illegal and would get you arrested, yes it's wrong. Otherwise I'd have no issue with it.
Jun 23, '09
Remember that test they give you in grade school to test abstract thinking? Goes something like this:
1. Is stealing wrong?
2. If your parent/loved one were sick, is it wrong not to help them?
3. If the only way to help your parent/loved one would be stealing, would you steal whatever medicine you needed to save them?
The abstract thinking comes in to play with #3 obviously.
I think your situation is much like #3. Its not necessarily something that can be defined as right/wrong by laws and rules. Your situation at the time makes a lot of difference.
For instance, if you have children to support and house payments to keep up.......then your decision to partake in recreational use would be foolhardy to say the least.
Now, if you rent an apt., no children and do it only once in a blue moon while vacationing........well, then its harder to throw stones at you.
In the end, its your choice. Just, when making the choice, be sure if there are any consequences to your behavior.........you will be the only one suffering them.
Jun 23, '09
Cheer up...alcohol is still legal
Jun 23, '09
Unfortunately, the drug debate involves more than just ourselves. This is not something that occurs in a vacuum. Somebody has to grow the drug, harvest the drug, package and prepare the drug, smuggle the drug, sell the drug, and buy the drug. We often say smoking pot is a "soft" crime and does not hurt people. This is total bollocks!
Ever see what happens to rival smugglers or drug cartels? Or, what about the dirt poor people who backpack the marijuana into the US? People who smoke pot are part of a much bigger cycle of violence. While they do not directly "hurt" people, the purchasing of this drug ultimately fuels this cycle. Therefore, these people have the blood of other people on their hands. Food for thought guys.
In addition, smoking pot has nothing to do with getting medications to my dying mom.
However, the crux of this thread is still the fact that doing pot is illegal.
Jun 22, '09Joined: Jan '05; Posts: 306; Likes: 486Smoking marijuana is pretty much illegal everywhere, isn't it?? So it would be wrong, actually on two levels: It's against the law, and it impairs the thought process. If it were legal to smoke it, it would still be wrong to smoke prior to coming to work, in the same way that being impaired by other drugs and alcohol would be... JMHO
Jun 22, '09Occupation: CVICU Stepdown Specialty: 3+ year(s) of experience in Cardiac/Tele/CVICU ; From: US ; Joined: Dec '07; Posts: 211; Likes: 158How did you pass a drug test?
Jun 22, '09Occupation: Flight RN Rotor/Fixed HEMS/CCT Specialty: Flight RN, Trauma1 CVICU STICU MICU CCU ; From: US ; Joined: Sep '07; Posts: 243; Likes: 142The problem is that it is illegal. It does not fit with ethical or professional behavior of a nurse as defined by your state's nursing practice act. Coming to work under the influence is the equivalent of drinking alcohol and coming to your shift. I know you stated that you would never do this, but that the thought had occurred to you.
Jun 22, '09Occupation: working in a free clinic Specialty: psych, addictions, hospice, education ; From: US ; Joined: Jul '05; Posts: 3,711; Likes: 6,074Also, keep in mind that as an employee in a healthcare facility you could be subject to random drug tests. Marijuana stays in you for quite awhile, and I think if it was discovered in you, you'd be without a job pretty quickly.
Jun 23, '09Occupation: RN Specialty: 3 year(s) of experience in Mental and Behavioral Health ; From: US ; Joined: Jun '07; Posts: 305; Likes: 519You have to quit. It is not worth it.
Jun 23, '09Joined: Aug '02; Posts: 38,000; Likes: 37,188If you are caught in a random drug test you would be jeopardizing getting your license or keeping your license, plus you would go through a lot of distress. Take some time to do some reading on the nurses in recovery forum. You could be destroying your career for good. You say you are planning on quitting soon. Make that a reality sooner rather than later and you will be able to relax about three or four months afterward. Good luck.
Jun 23, '09Joined: May '07; Posts: 2,092; Likes: 3,347Let's see, another new member, who's first post is aimed at the marijuana debate. While it may be legit, I am still a little skeptical because of past trolls regarding this argument.
Jun 23, '09Occupation: RN Specialty: 5 year(s) of experience in M/S, Travel Nursing, Pulmonary ; From: US ; Joined: Dec '08; Posts: 3,088; Likes: 6,707Remember that test they give you in grade school to test abstract thinking? Goes something like this:
