Nursing student taking drugs

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What would you do if you found out that a fellow nursing student is smoking marijuana?

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Thanks for attempting to keep on-topic on this very controversial topic. It's not easy to keep emotions in check and sometimes what we mean to say comes across differently online. Enjoy the discussion!

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Do you understand the difference between laws that are enforced (and cause people to go to prison) and laws that are no longer enforced (and don't cause people to go to prison)? Go to Ohio and walk into the police station with a big bag of MJ and I bet you'll learn the difference.

But weren't you the one arguing earlier that nurses should not smoke marijuana because its illegal? So which is it? Do you believe in upholding all laws, or just the ones you agree with? If you don't believe in upholding all laws, then you have no real right to tell other nurses that they should do the same [provided the laws they break don't endanger their patients]. After all, as someone pointed out, even if there are concequences to smoking marijuana, these consequences have no effect one you.

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Originally Posted by BortaZinTx viewpost.gif

Do you understand the difference between laws that are enforced (and cause people to go to prison) and laws that are no longer enforced (and don't cause people to go to prison)? Go to Ohio and walk into the police station with a big bag of MJ and I bet you'll learn the difference.

Last time I checked, music piracy is illegal and there are attempts to enforce it. But are you going to rat out everyone you know who does it? You say you are focused on the marijuana, but it seems like you are only concerned with its legality. As for its enforcement, that certainly varies considerably too. Is every pot-user you know in jail? Did you try to report all of them?

Thats a good point, as well. I have several friends who have been caught by the police with marijuana in their possession. None of them were arrested. One received a possession ticket [which is merely an infraction resulting in a fine, nothing on your criminal record], and the others had their weed confiscated and were sent on their way with a warning. Granted, this happened in Long Beach, where the police recognize that they have more important things to worry about, but the point is, even marijuana laws are not always enforced.

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I DO care what nurses do on their own time..shouldnt you? everyone says they are occasional smokers..but do we really know that? how many people would readily admit to smoking pot on their every day off??

This is based on your personal anecdotes, and does not apply to everyone. Also, do we really know that "occasional" drinkers really do drink in moderation. How many people really admit to being alcoholics? Should we be suspicious of everyone that likes to have a glass of wine with dinner?

Bottom line is, you are passing judgment on another person without knowing any specifics about their situation. Instead, you choose to assume that everyone who smokes pot has or will end up just like your brother, which is absurd.

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Specializes in ER/Ortho.

I think what fired me up on the topic was not the pot itself its the attitude I sometimes see in nurses. I have wanted to be a nurse since I was a very small child. I saw a nurse as almost an angel. A nurse in my mind is compassionate, NONjudgemental, caring, kind, healing, and so many other wonderful things. This is the standard that we strive for, not some high moral perfectionist code. I don't smoke pot as I never enjoyed it in high school. I just got paranoid, and went to sleep which isn't much fun so I certainly wouln'd risk my license for that. Regardless, I am not going to run around over hearing people say they smoked pot on the weekend, and then tell my nursing professor because as a nurse it's my duty. It makes nursing and nurses in general look bad. It's the same kind of attitude I have seen when nurses sit and talk about how shabby patients were dressed, that they were on medicaid, were bad people because they did it to themselves because they were fat, smoked, drank etc. It makes me question if I want to be counted as a nurse.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
A nurse in my mind is compassionate, NONjudgemental, caring, kind, healing, and so many other wonderful things. This is the standard that we strive for, not some high moral perfectionist code.

It's the same kind of attitude I have seen when nurses sit and talk about how shabby patients were dressed, that they were on medicaid, were bad people because they did it to themselves because they were fat, smoked, drank etc. It makes me question if I want to be counted as a nurse.

Don't let the few that aren't these things make you question your desire to be the kind of nurse you strive to be. Sadly we aren't angels, we are human, so there will be a whole range of different personalities, values but also talents. While I've met a few nurses that just made me shake my head for the most part we are a great bunch and just trying to do our best to help people. Hang in there. :up:

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Right, but the United States Government doesn't pay my rent, feed me, or clothe me. So like many posters here, i'm not really too concerned with what the government says I can and cannot do in my house.:smokin:

Ok, because the Government doesn't pay for your living arrangements you think it is ok to break federal laws 'behind closed doors'? Smoke pot, drink underage, those are one thing... then a person could move on to bigger things... identity theift (at YOUR computer behind YOUR doors), drug production (in YOUR house), or even pedafilia or murder (I know these ae extreme) but all behind your closed doors in YOUR house. Does that mean the government should keep their nose out of your house when grosly harmful things are happening? I'm sorry... if the GOvernment says it is wrong (whether I agree or not) we SHOULD abide by it!

No, I just firmly believe that I should be left alone once I've done the whole good employee thing, and want to relax.

GGRRRRR!!!! There are SOOO many things you can do after doing the 'good employee' thing rather than using illegal drugs!! Take a nap, take a walk, read a book, watch your fav show or movie, eat ice cream, talk to your best friend, go for a drive.....

Or, rather, if I lived in Ohio, technically it would be illegal to arrest me on Sunday for ANY crime:

Section 2331.12

General Assembly: 100.

Bill Number: House Bill 1

Effective Date: 10-1-53

No person shall be arrested during a sitting of the senate or house of representatives, within the hall where such session is being held, or in any court of justice, during the sitting of such court, or on Sunday, or on the fourth day of July.

Are you kidding me??????

Shouldn't you be the one starting the petition then? You seem to be be the one concerned with whatever is on the books. There are alot of laws that are not enforced because the police thinks the resources are better spent elsewhere. The laws are probably kept on the books simply for show or for "just in case" legality purposes.

Ok, the laws that aren't enforced are those like mentioned earlier... NOT the drug enforcement laws. I live in Ohio and read nearly EVERY DAY about people being arrested for posession or smoking pot!!!!!!!!!!! IT IS ENFORCED!!!

The MJ laws might not be strictly enforced, and a casual smoker certainly isn't going to get into any kind of trouble with the law. However, trust me on this: your drug screen is positive for mj here in Florida, you are going to face the BON and that's what's enforced. You may be only monitored for a year, but you will be monitored, and your license everytime someone looks it up will be marked.

I may be ethically opposed to the mj laws, think smoking pot is no big deal and harmless,"what I do on my own time is no one's business and besides it's no worse than alcohol", "if I smoke on Saturday, I won't be impaired come Monday", and I certainly won't go to jail, but I'm still not going to risk my job, livelihood, and reputation just to get high.

The BON enforces it, and that's enough to keep me away from it.

The only reason it is not 'strictly' enforced is becuse the police can not go door to door searching everyone's home for drugs. The point is that it IS enforced... if you are pulled over for a routine traffic stop and the officer suspects the posetion or use of drugs you get your car impounded, and be arrested!!!!!

this is argumentative :down: and off topic

if you read the rest of my post I have high morals and I feel guilty for almost any mistake, however minor hehe. I was only commenting that in comparison to other professions, we have to be almost inhuman... no DUIs, no mistakes ever.

I'm sorry... NO DUI'S!!!!!!!!!!!???????? You think it is ok for a perosn (nurse or not) to drink, and get behind the wheel of a 2 ton vehicle and drive????????????? How is this NOT ok?

I think what fired me up on the topic was not the pot itself its the attitude I sometimes see in nurses. I have wanted to be a nurse since I was a very small child. I saw a nurse as almost an angel. A nurse in my mind is compassionate, NONjudgemental, caring, kind, healing, and so many other wonderful things. This is the standard that we strive for, not some high moral perfectionist code. I don't smoke pot as I never enjoyed it in high school. I just got paranoid, and went to sleep which isn't much fun so I certainly wouln'd risk my license for that. Regardless, I am not going to run around over hearing people say they smoked pot on the weekend, and then tell my nursing professor because as a nurse it's my duty. It makes nursing and nurses in general look bad. It's the same kind of attitude I have seen when nurses sit and talk about how shabby patients were dressed, that they were on medicaid, were bad people because they did it to themselves because they were fat, smoked, drank etc. It makes me question if I want to be counted as a nurse.

This attitude you speak of is disgusting to me! I have worked in healthcare fields both in public and private hospitals and LTC's. In all of these places it was strictly enforced to not be judgmental. It didn't matter if we were treating pro-bono, medicade, amazingly good ins or whatever - EVERY patient was to be treated with the SAME dignity and respect. No, I can't say that everyone held to this standard, but I can say that those who disregarded it and were caugut were repremanded and in some cases lost their job.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
A nurse in my mind is compassionate, NONjudgemental, caring, kind, healing, and so many other wonderful things. This is the standard that we strive for, not some high moral perfectionist code.

It's the same kind of attitude I have seen when nurses sit and talk about how shabby patients were dressed, that they were on medicaid, were bad people because they did it to themselves because they were fat, smoked, drank etc. It makes me question if I want to be counted as a nurse.

Don't let the few that aren't these things make you question your desire to be the kind of nurse you strive to be. Sadly we aren't angels, we are human, so there will be a whole range of different personalities, values but also talents. While I've met a few nurses that just made me shake my head for the most part we are a great bunch and just trying to do our best to help people. Hang in there. :up:

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Specializes in critical care, PACU.

Rutter Mama,

It was just an example. I dont condone any of it. I was just listing some of the various things not allowed in this profession but allowed in others. It seems whatever argument I make, my hole gets deeper. :selfbonk:

As an aside:

Man, this board gets crazy when we are all on vacation. Without school work people have too much time to get fanatical about things.

Im out of this topic. Already said what I feel and dont feel the need to prove myself to virtual people. Hopefully the OP made a decision he/she is happy with :).

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Rutter Mama,

It was just an example. I dont condone any of it. I was just listing some of the various things not allowed in this profession but allowed in others. It seems whatever argument I make, my hole gets deeper. :selfbonk:

No problem... again - I'm here to make friends, not enemies! As far as things allowed... illegal things are not allowed in ANY profession.

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Ok, the laws that aren't enforced are those like mentioned earlier... NOT the drug enforcement laws. I live in Ohio and read nearly EVERY DAY about people being arrested for posession or smoking pot!!!!!!!!!!! IT IS ENFORCED!!!

The only reason it is not 'strictly' enforced is becuse the police can not go door to door searching everyone's home for drugs. The point is that it IS enforced... if you are pulled over for a routine traffic stop and the officer suspects the posetion or use of drugs you get your car impounded, and be arrested!!!!!

It should be noted that the law is not enforced the same way throughout the country. For example, marijuana has effectively been decriminalized in several California cities. As of right now, you could be standing on the corner smoking a J in San Francisco and nothing would happen to you, as MJ is officially the police departments absolute lowest priority and cops are instructed not to stop you unless you are breaking other laws as well [such as driving while high/smoking]. So, depending on where you live, no, it is not enforced.

Also, even if you are pulled over for a routine traffic stop, your car will not necessarily be impounded, and you may not be arrested. A co-worker of mine [salon, not hospital], was driving in Long Beach last year, and took a bong rip while stopped at a red light. When he turned to exhale, there was a cop stopped right next to him. He got pulled over, the cops confiscated his weed, broke his bong, gave him a possession ticket [about $100], and let him go. To be clear, I am in no way saying its OK to drive high [i told him he was an idiot for doing it in the first place]. My point is, if you're going to be so adamant about the legal consequences of marijuana use, you should be aware that these consequences vary from place to place.

I'm sorry... NO DUI'S!!!!!!!!!!!???????? You think it is ok for a perosn (nurse or not) to drink, and get behind the wheel of a 2 ton vehicle and drive????????????? How is this NOT ok?

I don't think that was the point. No one is saying driving under the influence is OK. All they were saying is that the standard punishment for a DUI is enough. Nurses should not lose their license for a single act of indiscretion that is completely unrelated to their job.

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It should be noted that the law is not enforced the same way throughout the country. For example, marijuana has effectively been decriminalized in several California cities. As of right now, you could be standing on the corner smoking a J in San Francisco and nothing would happen to you, as MJ is officially the police departments absolute lowest priority and cops are instructed not to stop you unless you are breaking other laws as well [such as driving while high/smoking]. So, depending on where you live, no, it is not enforced.

Also, even if you are pulled over for a routine traffic stop, your car will not necessarily be impounded, and you may not be arrested. A co-worker of mine [salon, not hospital], was driving in Long Beach last year, and took a bong rip while stopped at a red light. When he turned to exhale, there was a cop stopped right next to him. He got pulled over, the cops confiscated his weed, broke his bong, gave him a possession ticket [about $100], and let him go. To be clear, I am in no way saying its OK to drive high [i told him he was an idiot for doing it in the first place]. My point is, if you're going to be so adamant about the legal consequences of marijuana use, you should be aware that these consequences vary from place to place.

Actually for ONCE I have to agree with you.United Stated should be more forgiving as a nation...

I don't think that was the point. No one is saying driving under the influence is OK. All they were saying is that the standard punishment for a DUI is enough. Nurses should not lose their license for a single act of indiscretion that is completely unrelated to their job.

Actually for ONCE I have to agree with you.United Stated should be more forgiving as a nation...

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