Nursing student taking drugs

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

A nurse who gets high is more likely to divert medications for personal use...plain and simple.

Please cite any studies and credible resource material to support this theory.

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I don't have time to do an literature review right now, but here's one that I found in under 5 minutes:

"Non-medical prescription stimulant users were more likely to report use of alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine and other risky behaviors."

McCabe, S. E., Knight, J. R., Teter, C. J., & Wechsler, H. (2004). Non-medical use of prescription stimulants among US college students: Prevalence and correlates from a national survey. Addiction, 100(1), 96-106.

"Non-medical use" means that they obtained it without a Rx. Either they buy it illegally, or if they have ready access (as a nurse does) they steal it.

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Personally, I think that drinking in moderation while off-duty should be no different than smoking. Acually, I bet if someone drank to excess the night before work they would probably be affected more than someone who smoked pot the night before. For the record, I like to have a drink now and then, no smokey dopey though!

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Use of a substance I would not consider risky behaviour. ABUSE of a substance I most assuredly would... I'd say that someone with a substance ABUSE problem (whether legal or illegal in regard to the substance being abused) would be more likely to steal other substances. However- I make a firm and clear distinction between use and abuse. IMO it is a necessary and pertinant differentiation. I would no more worry about Jane Doe stealing meds because she has a glass of wine with dinner occasionally than I would if she were to engage in a joint on an equally occasional basis. Does this study make this distinction between USE and ABUSE?

I don't have time to do an literature review right now, but here's one that I found in under 5 minutes:

"Non-medical prescription stimulant users were more likely to report use of alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine and other risky behaviors."

McCabe, S. E., Knight, J. R., Teter, C. J., & Wechsler, H. (2004). Non-medical use of prescription stimulants among US college students: Prevalence and correlates from a national survey. Addiction, 100(1), 96-106.

"Non-medical use" means that they obtained it without a Rx. Either they buy it illegally, or if they have ready access (as a nurse does) they steal it.

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Specializes in None.

Of course its not cool to be taking substances before and during patient care. Plus Im not a fan of drugs, and I drink liquor once in a blue moon. But Im not naive to believe that healthcare professional dont smoke weed at all, thats a lie lol. But, as I said earlier, as long as its not during and before patient care, and their not abusing themselves, thats between them and their maker!!!

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I'm sorry... these responses are absurd! Anti-depressants, sleep aids... DR PERSCRIBED meds are one thing... absolutely NOTHING wrong with them. And - to not say anything about a fellow student or co-worker abusing drugs... come on people! :confused:

It's ILLEGIAL :banghead:... it's WRONG :banghead: ... it's DANGEROUS!:banghead: These students/professionals have real people's lives in their hands!!! If I KNEW that a student in my class - or a co-worker was abusing drugs - of ANY kind... I would go to our superior - IMMEDIATELY!

Please - Please do the right thing! This person could be caring for MY husband or son one day!!!

THIS POST IS INSANE

Do you report your co workers when they drink too much at a picnic? Do you report co workers when they go an extra 7 mph?

This is a real PA law.

It is illegal to have over 16 women live in a house together because that constitutes a brothel. is that reportable?

Seriously

If you or others are not harmed or at potential to be harmed then why do you care.

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this post is insane

do you report your co workers when they drink too much at a picnic? do you report co workers when they go an extra 7 mph?

this is a real pa law.

it is illegal to have over 16 women live in a house together because that constitutes a brothel. is that reportable?

seriously

if you or others are not harmed or at potential to be harmed then why do you care.

i think that's the point. there is potential for harm...to myself, my fellow classmates/co-worker, and especially to patients.

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THIS POST IS INSANE

Do you report your co workers when they drink too much at a picnic? Do you report co workers when they go an extra 7 mph?

This is a real PA law.

It is illegal to have over 16 women live in a house together because that constitutes a brothel. is that reportable?

Seriously

If you or others are not harmed or at potential to be harmed then why do you care.

I hear ya. I think that its stupid that the friend went to the physical drunk. i think if she is that careless she doesn't deserve the prized NS student spot.

But if nobody has suspected her of being intoxicated/ not sober while at school or clinical.... you can't really do anything.

I am sure lots of the students in the class are smoking something lol.

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I think I just posted that in the wrong thread lol.

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I think that's the point. There is potential for harm...to myself, my fellow classmates/co-worker, and ESPECIALLY to patients.

Oh there is NO harm to you, coworkers, nor the patients because someone smokes a little mj on the weekends. I think you've watched the movie reefer madness one too many times. :down:

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I think that's the point. There is potential for harm...to myself, my fellow classmates/co-worker, and ESPECIALLY to patients.

That's kind of silly. By just being a human being you present a potential for harm to patients.

That's a weak argument. There is ALWAYS a potential from harm from everywhere. Smoking a joint occasionally does not present any more potential for danger that alcohol does.

That said. I need my money/job/school more than I need weed! :D

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That's kind of silly. By just being a human being you present a potential for harm to patients.

That's a weak argument. There is ALWAYS a potential from harm from everywhere. Smoking a joint occasionally does not present any more potential for danger that alcohol does.

That said. I need my money/job/school more than I need weed! :D

By your logic, if I'm in my home in bed I have the POTENTIAL to get hit by a car that veers off the road and into my home...so why shouldn't I just go sleep in the street?

Risks are all around us, yes. But drug use impairs mental abilities, thus increasing the risk that a healthcare worker will harm a patient.

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