Regarding life outside nursing school

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Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER.

here goes.... I am concerned about some students that are in the class below me. One of them was originally in my nursing class, and did not make it past the first semester. She's in the class below me now, and there is a certain clique that all hangs out. I like them, they're all nice. But, I am really really really concerned about their outside class habits. The one time I've been downtown this semester, I saw this girl out plastered drunk again. Saw a girl in their lil clique at Sam's club buying 6 bottles of wine today (is she serving communion at her house?). My boyfriend, who is in their class, overhead them talking about going out drinking Friday night after clinicals.

I do not know how they perform in clinicals. I can only hope and pray they're putting off their drinking habits until after clinicals are over. Do you think I should say something to one of their instructors (ex: I am concerned that some of your students may have drinking problems- no specific names). Advice please-Andrea

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Specializes in ED.

I understand why you would be concerned. But I wouldn't say anything until you have seen something happen during clinicals that can be proven to the professor. Like the woman reeks of booze or she is giving bad patient care. Other wise, the instructor is very likely to spot something thats off with her as soon as anyone else does and will hopefully do something about it.

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Since drinking is a legal activity, I'd say it's nobody's business what they drink after clinicals. If you see that it's affecting their clinical performance, like showing up hung-over, that's a little different. Just knowing they drink on their own time does not warrant talking about though.

kirbi

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Specializes in L&D.
Since drinking is a legal activity, I'd say it's nobody's business what they drink after clinicals. If you see that it's affecting their clinical performance, like showing up hung-over, that's a little different. Just knowing they drink on their own time does not warrant talking about though.

kirbi

I agree. :stone

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Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER.

Thanks guys. This was my concern, since I have never seen their clinical performance. -Andrea

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Specializes in MS Home Health.

No I would not say anything......

renerian

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Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER.

***edited out copy of personal attack***

. . . .if these girls want to kill their livers and flunk out of nursing school (again), then more power to them. my concern is patient safety. if (that's an if, and the reason i am not saying anything, not concrete proof) tehy are abusing alcohol on nights before clinical, then i feel it's a big danger to patient safety (and against school policy). and despite the fact that it's their free will, i do have a level on concern for the girls themselves (i don't want them to flunk out, and i don't want them to kill their livers, even if they have the right to do so). refer to the nightengale pledge: "...i will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug..." :rolleyes: food for thought!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Dave, the personal attack was not necessarily and in violation of the terms of service, please read them. But I'm not a moderator so I'll mind my own business.

To the original poster. I agree with the general concensus that perhaps it shouldn't be your concern. If the person is an alcoholic then it will get her eventually.

If however you suspect her drinking during clinicals or smell alcohol on her while in clinicals that's another story.

I think it's great that you're concerned and I didn't see any judgement on your part.

Good luck in school!

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Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER.
Dave, the personal attack was not necessarily and in violation of the terms of service, please read them. But I'm not a moderator so I'll mind my own business.

To the original poster. I agree with the general concensus that perhaps it shouldn't be your concern. If the person is an alcoholic then it will get her eventually.

If however you suspect her drinking during clinicals or smell alcohol on her while in clinicals that's another story.

I think it's great that you're concerned and I didn't see any judgement on your part.

Good luck in school!

Thank you, Tweety. You ALWAYS have something positive to say! -Andrea

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

Although saying anything isnt really in your court since you didnt see or hear what was said, i do have to remind people that some nursing schools have a code of conduct that students are expected to adhere to. Some of the points in the codes do address behavior and habits outside of classroom/clinical time. Remeber if your school has these codes you agreed to them when you signed up and started the classes.

Instructors know who they need to watch. They are kind of like mothers, they have eyes everywhere, it only takes one nurse from clinicals to see someone out and not agree with their behavior to let the school know. To think that instructors dont get feedback on their students is a serious mistake, because they do, you just may not see it.

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sounds like typical college students to me . . . :p

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Specializes in ICU/CCU (PCCN); Heme/Onc/BMT.

just a reminder - personal attackes are not allowed on this bulletin board. keep the focus on the topic and not your fellow bulletin board member.

the allnurses.com staff

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