Nurses and alcohol

[kdbean530]

One thing I'm learning is that nurses can drink! They talk about drinking their entire shift, and then go out for drinks after. But I can't blame them! Nursing is a very stressful job. I heard addiction is a problem with nurses. What's your take?

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Thank god for the bar that opens up at 0700 for the night shifters to go to. Yes we can put it down. So can many professions.

Work hard play harder.

[Mandychelle79, ASN, RN]

As long as they are not drunk while on duty or patients are suffering because they are so hung over they cannot function, no biggie to me.

It started in nursing school, we would celebrate the end of the semester and man could we put away some ETOH.

Now Im more likely to go out for a drink or two.

[dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN]

Nurses are expected to be pillars of the community.

:lol:

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

There's nothing "private" about it -- these things go on in public places. I haven't seen anyone "outed" here for bad behavior, and most of the comments seem to uphold a fair amount of anonymity. I don't see anyone naming names... We're just discussing.

Per the original poster "One thing I'm learning is that nurses can drink! They talk about drinking their entire shift," The main issue here is any DISCUSSION about drinking needs to be out of earshot of families. patients, doctors.. etc.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

:lol:

May I ask why you are laughing at the statement that nurses are expected to be pillars of the community?

[ImKosher]

I don't mind a beer after a hard days work. I don't mind social drinking, but you do need to keep it seperate from work. Particularly when your in a patients room discussing that "last party" with a co-worker. Need to keep alcohol and work seperate and in private.

[dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN]

May I ask why you are laughing at the statement that nurses are expected to be pillars of the community?

Argh - sorry - I tried to edit my original statement but it's not letting me. And I'm not even drunk. Yet.

I'm neither a martyr nor a pillar of the community. If I wanted to be either, I would have become a nun?

[afterseason, ASN, RN]

Per the original poster "One thing I'm learning is that nurses can drink! They talk about drinking their entire shift," The main issue here is any DISCUSSION about drinking needs to be out of earshot of families. patients, doctors.. etc.

Ah, yes, that I agree with.

[Stephalump]

Nurses are expected to be pillars of the community.

.

By whom?

[OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN]

By whom?

Im not sure but you hear a lot about it from all your nursing professors :) Also it is a respected and trusted profession but I don't really care because this whole trhead doesnt pertain to me since I do not even drink alcohol :)

[FlyingScot, RN]

Social drinking is fine with me but I worry about my peers who regularly use alcohol as a stress-reliever, even in moderation. I think it's a slippery slope. I totally get it and have had many times when the thought of getting a slight buzz sounds like a great way to forget the day but I've learned to choose better ways for me to decompress. The proof that it's a problem can be found in the back pages of most nursing board's publications. Pages and pages of actions taken against nurses and most of them are addiction related. Don't get me wrong. I like to have a good time as much as the next person I'm just careful to check my motives.