Marijuana and Nursing School

[heather19]

I'm sure there is a thread about this but I wanted to establish one specific to my situation.

I am a 20 year old, second year nursing student in a highly competitive nursing program at a four-year private liberal arts college. I do not live on campus, I still live with each of my parents.

I am sure this question will elicit judgemental comments from all walks of life but let me illuminate you on my character-

I do not drink alcohol or party.

I strictly am attending college to better my future and become qualified, you'll hardly catch me socializing. I am extremely school-oriented and maintain a 3.5 gpa.

I study in my free time and work full time as well as attending school full time.

but YES, on occasion I indulge in smoking marijuana for the calming effects it has on my situational anxiety and sleep issues.

So here is my directive.

Do nursing schools TYPICALLY drug test prior to clinicals and how severe are the consequenceswhen testing positive with marijuana?

[Caribbean Character]

I thought the same thing when I read the OP - just saying it's natural doesn't create a valid argument for safety. One does of synthetic Zoloft is infinitely safer than one dose of orificenic or hemlock.

or cyanide or hydrochloric acid or asparagus berries or nightshade or belladonna or bleeding heart or caster or cerberin or larkspur or broom or narcissus or foxglove or.........

[aTOMicTom]

Easy there, Panama Red. Just because I think saying "...on occasion I indulge in smoking marijuana for the calming effects it has on my situational anxiety and sleep issues." and "I am fervently against the use of any anxiety prescription of the sort" exemplifies a level of idiocy I rarely get to see anymore doesn't mean that I or the other posters in this thread don't care about you....

Haha Griffin123 FTW!

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

Why couldn't you attend clinical with a sunburn?

FWIW, I don't think the OP was saying he/ she smokes MJ during the day or showing up high to class or clinicals. Only that he or she does it to aid with sleep. That being said, I do think the best course would be to quit ASAP I'm case there is testing.

We were supposed to be setting a good example for our patients and a sunburn isn't good. Simple as that.

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

I wasn't making an argument pro or con . . or comparing alcohol to pot . . . just saying that you can't use an argument that it is a plant or natural so that has to mean it is safe. Plants and natural stuff can kill you or make you pretty sick.

Yes, I agree that just because it's natural doesn't mean it's safe. I was speaking more to the idea of the illusion of safety.

[crossfitnurse]

The only reason it's legal guys is cause it shows you what's REALLY going on. Makes you self aware. They don't want that...

LOL. Is this thread over yet?

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

The only reason it's legal guys is cause it shows you what's REALLY going on. Makes you self aware. They don't want that...

LOL. Is this thread over yet?

Ummmmm . . . . are you stoned?

Marijuana is not legal (not counting medical marijuana). And self-aware??? That's funny. Way back in the day when I tried it I felt like I was watching a movie where every other frame was missing. Too disjointed . . ha ha . . .to be "self-aware".

[kjrobinetteSN]

So you need it for situational anxiety....So are you telling us you smoke a joint during these types of situations? I highly doubt that a joint for situational anxiety is realistic. There are legal ways to deal with situational anxiety. Do you plan to smoke a joint on the floor if you get anxious?

My thoughts.

Also, are you aware that marijuana can be laced with other drugs, cocaine, etc., that can form addiction after one use?

[Griffin123]

The only reason it's legal guys is cause it shows you what's REALLY going on. Makes you self aware.

[tcvnurse, BSN, RN]

"When things are unfamiliar to me, to a nervous point, I become more anxious than the average individual."

How in the WORLD do you think you will make it as a nurse? Everything will be new and unfamiliar AND you will be under a RIDICULOUS amount of stress.

My advice--leave the pot alone, and try some meditation, deep breathing, or other coping methods.

[crossfitnurse]

My point was can we just quit? Everyone doesn't need to prove their point. We get it, it's illegal. Cool. You'll be fired or dismissed if you get caught.

Cool.

Done.

Alright - let's get on with our lives.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

My point was can we just quit? Everyone doesn't need to prove their point. We get it, it's illegal. Cool. You'll be fired or dismissed if you get caught.

Cool.

Done.

Alright - let's get on with our lives.

And you are free to light up and out of this conversation...this thread has a life of its own.

[truckinusa, BSN, LPN, RN]

My thoughts.

Also, are you aware that marijuana can be laced with other drugs, cocaine, etc., that can form addiction after one use?

Marijuana with free cocaine? One could only wish for that!