Question about Concealed Weapons Carry

U.S.A. Florida

Published

OK, there probably haven't been many questions on this topic before, but I do have a legitimate concern.

I'm currently in school for my pre-reqs to become a nurse, and I am looking into getting my concealed weapons permit. Do you think there is any reason to believe that having this permit will affect my ability to get into nursing school, or to become a licensed RN once I'm done?

I respect all personal views about having a concealed carry permit, but I would appreciate if responses could be geared only towards how this may affect one's career as a nurse.

Thanks so much!

Sam

Specializes in L & D; Postpartum.

I have a permit, and think that if a gunman came to our facility, our unarmed "security" guards would be useless. An armed Rn or tech, on the other hand, could be useful. Just my humble opinion. Another example of the law abiding obeying a law, or mandate in this case, which can and does and has backfired many times, resulting is a lot of innocent people being slaughtered. I imagine the recent incident in Texas on the military base could have been ended quickly had the soldiers present been allowed to carry their weapons and when the gunman entered, they could have immediately gone into their battle mode and taken him out quickly. Far fewer bodies as a result. And no I don't carry to work...but in the parking garage, there have been many times when I have wished my Lady S & W was in the car.

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Specializes in oncology,med/surg,psych..

Having a Concealed Weapons Carry Permit in no way affects your schooling to get your RN degree. If you have a clean background check you are fine. Just remember that there are a lot of places the forbid guns and it is your responsibility to follow that law. Good luck in your schooling. Otis RN-BSN:yeah:

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I live in PA and many of my nurse friends and myself have a concealed weapons permit. Not an issue. Most hospitals do not allow weapons on the campus though.

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I've held my CCW since 1982 and it in nowise effects one's licensure nor schooling in any way... go for it! We welcome you into the ranks of the sheepdog, keeping watch over the milling masses. 'Licensed to carry, licensed to care'

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does any one know why so many hospitals/ large medical clinics have no gun policies? since we are to carry just about every place else ..? I thought about obtaining conceled permit but wondered what the point would be if I couldn't carry at a place where i spend so much time

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Specializes in Wilderness Medicine, ICU, Adult Ed..

You have a legal right to carry with a permit. How can that be used against you? Having a criminal conviction on record CAN end a carreer, but engaging in a legal act? I don't see a problem.

As for keeping your carry private, in my humble opinion, this is a good idea in general for security reasons. As the NRA slogan says: "Everyone is safer when the criminals do not know who is armed." Knowing the status of your defensive preparations could be useful information to the very people you are most concerned about. Keep it to yourself and you are less likely to need to use it. And, never needing to use it is always the best outcome.

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I agree with the above posted notes to not tell anybody that you can and or will carry a gun. the medical profession is not on your side and will do everything against you regarding anything to do with a gun. I recommend carrying a good can of pepper spray gel that shoots about 20 ft. and also a taser that can reach about 20 ft. these are non lethal defense products that can save your life. if you were ever caught with these types of defense weapons, the hospital might be more forgiving???

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does any one know why so many hospitals/ large medical clinics have no gun policies? since we are to carry just about every place else ..? I thought about obtaining conceled permit but wondered what the point would be if I couldn't carry at a place where i spend so much time

It is a safety issue. Realistically there are few places to secure your weapon in a hospital. Things get stolen there all the time. You can't carry it in your scrubs- can you imagine being up on a bed doing CPR and your nine falls out onto the floor? Or, you take everything metal off to go into the radiology MRI area with a patient so you put your Glock - where???? No, not a good idea. Plus there are a lot of nuts and criminals who frequent the hospital because of their um, lifestyles. You would have to always be watching to make sure your S&W is still in its holster. Nursing is a physical act, lifting, tugging, crawling around on the floor, all sorts of acrobatics. Just not safe to have a gun on you.

Schools often have the same policy, but when I went to night classes I kept my gun with me. Who is going to know? I was traveling alone, at night, over 100 miles one way. I was not going to leave it nestled safely at home. If I was living on campus that would be a different matter. They don't want drunken students shooting the place up after all. And nothing is safe in campus housing either.

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Specializes in ED, Critical Care.

As a life long NRA member and ardent supporter of 2A rights I have had my CCW for many years.

1. If you have never fired a weapon get real training. If you have fired a weapon get real training.

2. It is none a universities business if you have a CCW

3. It's called Concealed Carry for a reason! Keep it to yourself! For more than the obvious reasons as well.

4. Follow the rules where you work. But, remember the rules don't apply to a criminal.

5. CPZ or Criminal Protection Zones. These are those gun free zones that "no one is supposed to carry a weapon. Except a criminal of course.

6. I carry everywhere, I have fired thousands of rounds from various weapons, and have verified training.

7. Don't think just because your a nurse and work in a hospital your safe. Google Charleston Area Medical Center, Charleston WV.

Some crazy female walked into her husbands CCU room and shot him in the head.....dead of course. Did I mention CAMC is a "gun free zone".

And always, always remember this: "When seconds count, the Police are minutes away."

Merry Christmas and stay safe!:)

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As a nursing faculty I can tell you that, unless you say something, no one in the school will even know you have a concealed carry permit. Most facilities do not allow firearms in the building, so leave it in your vehicle or at home during clinical. Some schools do not allow firearms on the property, check the student handbook for details.

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Specializes in Rehab/Nursing home/LTCF.

It's not going to be a problem. I live in FL, I'm a LPN and getting ready to enter the RN program. I also have my concealed weapons permit. They are totally different things. Having the permit is your constitutional right. Everyone is entitled to get one, if they meet the qualifications.

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Specializes in OR 35 years; crosstrained ER/ICU/PACU.

It shouldn't be a problem..."right to bear arms" sound familiar to you? I have my permit, though I'm in Nursing 30 years now. I can't imagine why it would hinder your entering Nursing School. As was pointed out earlier.....take the course first, & don't keep a weapon where the "bad guy" can get to it!!! Be safe, good luck!

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