If you are drunk, don't drive!

jimthorp · Feb 6, 2007

Nursing licensure is not a right, but is a privilege that must be earned and standards upheld.

Yes it is an earned privilege and yes the standards of nursing practice must be upheld but that's where it ends. The nursing profession has absolutely no right to dictate to me how I go about my life off the job, period!

You cannot point out a single scientific, peer reviewed study that proves people who's personal life are riddled with legal, financial, and or other troubles are poor employees.

Ann RN · Feb 6, 2007

To answer all of the above...absolutely nothing. That's the whole point. I'm glad you feel the same.

Would you want a pediophile taking care of your children if that has nothing to do with job performance? Again, I stand by my belief that you are licensed by a governing unit where these are the rules. If you can't play by the rules, then accept the consequences.

And again, I also stand by the belief that if you show you are irresponsible outside of work by DUI, you are abusing a drug. Yes - alcohol IS a drug. And I sure as heck do not want anyone taking care of me or my family that shows this total lack of responsibility. So do not tell me that what I post as my own personal belief is the silliest thing you ever read on this board. It's my opinion and I am entitled to it.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Feb 6, 2007

You cannot point out a single scientific, peer reviewed study that proves people who's personal life are riddled with legal, financial, and or other troubles are poor employees.

I don't need to, therefore don't waste my time on it.

I have plenty of real life work experience to prove it, much of which can be attested by others that have dealt employees orcoworkers with said problems.

When you manage employees, then please feel free to hire all the pedophile, felonous drug addicted, alcoholic staffers that you want, and see how well or poorly your business runs. Feel free to be the pioneer in that and we will see how well it works.

People can manage business, work as wait staffs, become politicians, work in computer programming, e-commerce, farm, raise animals and livestock,work in the mines, be a chef...there are thousands of careers that you can work in without a license. Of course, many still will not hire anyone that cannot be bonded.... and for some reason it is difficult to bond a criminal (those highly suspicious bond agencies don't buy your theory, for some reason...such as ohhhh experience).

Bill Gates is very successful and doesn't have to be drug tested.

But if you enter the profession that has rules, you get the privilege to obey them. If you don't wish to, you are free to go elsewhere.

jimthorp · Feb 6, 2007

So do not tell me that what I post as my own personal belief is the silliest thing you ever read on this board. It's my opinion and I am entitled to it.

If you believe that; "They ensure that the public is protected from unsafe care" then yes it is one of the silliest things I have heard. Like you I am entitled to my opinion.

They no more ensure safe patient care than the passing of stricter gun laws ensures gun crime will go away.

jimthorp · Feb 6, 2007

IWhen you manage employees, then please feel free to hire all the pedophile, felonous drug addicted, alcoholic staffers that you want, and see how well or poorly your business runs. Feel free to be the pioneer in that and we will see how well it works.

You see, I have managed employees. I used to do the hiring and firing in a former career. I have had employees who's personal life was a complete mess, including legal trouble, but were outstanding employees. I have also had employees who had relatively trouble free lives outside work who were poor employees.

To paint everyone with a broad brush based on your experience is simply unjustifiable and is called stereotyping.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Feb 6, 2007

Asit stands the NIH (National Institutes of Health) has reports on consumption of alcoholic and its negative effects on the functioning of pilots. Even 14 hours after the pilots had reached a BAC of 0.1 (legal limit), there was impairment of their demonstrable skills. It was from a study in American Journal of Psychology, I believe (would post a link, but I am not that computer literate).

But it is all rather moot. The law is the law. You can waste time arguing over such a trivial issue or move on. One knows the rules to be a professional nurse and if one does not conform, they will reap the well deserved consequences. Their loss.

And arguing the right to drink oneself into a stupor, attempt to kill someone by driving (which is what DUI/DWI is in essence) and yet still be a respected professional is quite ridiculous and a waste of time. So I am off and out for a few days of a much needed break.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Feb 6, 2007

To paint everyone with a broad brush based on your experience is simply unjustifiable and is called stereotyping.

Not merely mine but about every nurse manager I have come in contact with. But then they are nurse managers. And I tend to be choosy about where I work, most of the time.

LuvMyGamecocks · Feb 6, 2007

Please tell me what drinking and driving has to do with job performance.

Y'all...this is about a mindset, a personal moral code, personal integrity...and the lack thereof is something that's running rampant in America. Too many people are not holding their OWN selves accountable for their actions.

You would think that those intelligent enough to make it through nursing school and hold a license would be able to efficiently exercise the good judgment that it would take to avoid a DUI. It's TOO easy to make the plans ahead of time to include safely returning home.

If one's own integrity, their own moral code allows them the audacity of driving after happy hour (or any other time...1, 2, 10 drinks...it's all the same to me), maybe someone other than that person NEEDS to hold them accountable for their actions.

So, what's the right answer? One time, it's over, and the license is gone? A second chance, and then it's gone? Though I'm not in the position to make that call, it seems that the right answer depends on how big of a scoop you want to take out of the integrity bowl before you decide.

piper_for_hire · Feb 6, 2007

And of course .... if someone has a DUI they must be drunk at work. WHAT? And of course ... to force someone to have morality you threaten them - in this case with taking their license away. HUH? Truly illogical conclusions to justify a truly unethical practice.

-S

katilynn · Feb 6, 2007

Shoot, the people at my work in debt or have bad credit are always covering shifts, working doubles, holiday whatever.

Good luck getting a hold of this girl with good credit scores.

LeahJet, ASN, RN · Feb 6, 2007

Sorry if this is Off Topic.....but I've always wondered.....

What does a person's credit rating have to do with anything??

gemini81sg · Feb 6, 2007

I agree...there are many things that nurses do that they shouldn't do. Think about how many obese nurses you see in any facility or how many nurses (including Respiratory Therapists!) sneak out to smoke on their breaks.

I'm not voting for Pro-Drinking and Driving or anything, but you can get an OWI or DUI pretty easy with the legal limit being .08 in most states. That's a drink or two from a christmas party....not everyone who gets these tickets are "drunks". Stealing money from patients, taking narcotics from the job, denying pain meds to a patient because it's your opinion that he or she is not in pain, denying eqaul cares and services to a patient because you don't like their lifestyle or race for that matter.....these things to me, are much worse than getting a drinking and driving ticket.

I don't think a license should be taken for this pending the extent of the circumstances of course. I mean, if you get a DUI on your way to work as a nurse, then I really think you should reconsider being a nurse, and check in to some counseling and rehab real soon!! :nono: :beer: