OK, so first off, I am going into my second semester of my adn program and I am 19 years old. I was at a party last night with my friend and there were about 70-80 people there.
A girl made me a drink and I decided to drink it. It was kind of strong but I drank it anyway.
There was a lot of marijuana so we decided to leave but our truck was boxed in by other vehicles. I told my friend to drive my truck and he agreed, but out of habit I got in the drivers seat. So we are waiting for some of the cars to leave so we can get out and then the cops show up.
One cop came up and said they were going to breathalyze everyone driving and just to sit tight. Then another cop came and asked me what I had to drink and I told him a cup of grape juice with a small amount of vodka a few hours ago.
He then told me he was going to breathalyze me and asked what my name was, how old I was, and who my parents were. I didn't see him write anything down, but it was dark so I don't really know what he did.
I blew a 0.02 and he told me I could go. He didn't breathalyze my friend. I AM INCREDIBLY PARANOID THAT I AM GOING TO GET AN UNDERAGE DRINKING TICKET IN THE MAIL.
I live in Mississippi and this is my first run in with law enforcement beside getting a ticket for running a stop sign. I personally think the officers were more concerned with what was going on inside than with me. I mentioned something about the marijuana to one cop and he just walked inside.
My question to anyone who has any knowledge about legal issues is, can I get a ticket in the mail?
Keep in mind that I was in my truck with tag number visible ... and if I do how will this affect my status in school and taking my boards? I live in Mississippi. Any input is appreciated, but I really don't need a lecture about this incident. I am a good kid, I never go anywhere or do anything besides study.
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
I don't think how a person behaves at a party has much to do with how they behave at work. I don't expect nurses to behave like nuns, especially when they're "off the clock". That's all.
But that behavior can indeed affect eligibility for licensure or lead to license discipline, such as stipulations, probation, suspension, or revocation. Fact is that licensed professionals are held to a higher standard, and the sooner that is realized the better.
Would like to suggest to the OP and anyone who thinks drinking (underage or not) and getting behind the wheel of a car is "no biggie" - go to General Nursing and read the post "Even the stoic have their breaking point".
I know the OP said that she wasn't driving and only blew a 0.02, but next time may not be lucky enough to have the police show up before her diminished judgement decides she's sober enough to drive home.
It wasn't meant to be an insult by any means. Because I'm prettyyy sure I didn't mention anyone in particular. However, if the shoe fits...
I'm just letting the OP know that this forum has many women and men who won't be very understanding so she shouldn't put too much information in her posts. People are so quick to jump down a complete strangers throat when they're anonymous.
I just am so incredibly taken aback by how rude this is.
iShaybie I think you didn't take your own advice about posting too much info. I checked your profile because I wanted to just see if you'd made any other posts besides in this one (I'm nosy also)
From your profile I was able to ascertain that you are not in the nursing program yet, what school you go to, what year you will start the nursing program, what your full name is, facebook and twitter account. Wouldn't it be a small world indeed if Elkpark or wow me one day or whoever HAPPENS to be a nurse who interviews you in the future and then can recommend to hire you or not...well.. interesting.
You are very lucky to have dodged a bullet. In my state, if you are under age and blow anything but a .00, you are DUI.
Learn from this. People who want to go into careers which are overseen by state licensing boards need to take extra special care not to get into any legal trouble whatsoever. Even expunged records are "visible" to nurse licensing boards. One wrong decision can result in revocation of your license, or, as a new grad, refusal to grant you permission to sit for NCLEX.
No need for me to read any of the prior posts. OP I too am a young a nursing student, once could've gotten in major trouble after a party in a similar situation (good thing it was campus police and not actual). Just enjoy your life and make smart decisions. Drinks here and there won't kill you.
No, but even if she doesn't drive, and MIP or MIC could cause her MAJOR trouble in her quest for a nursing career. That's why some of the advice here is useless and vague. WTH does "be careful" even mean? Unless the OP is drinking alone in her closet, she runs the risk of legal trouble for drinking even if she never ever again gets behind the wheel of a car.
Nursing boards see EVERYTHING, even expunged records.
You are very lucky to have dodged a bullet. In my state, if you are under age and blow anything but a .00, you are DUI.
Learn from this. People who want to go into careers which are overseen by state licensing boards need to take extra special care not to get into any legal trouble whatsoever. Even expunged records are "visible" to nurse licensing boards. One wrong decision can result in revocation of your license, or, as a new grad, refusal to grant you permission to sit for NCLEX.
This is oh, so true! Many years ago, one night when I was on the road, I met this one gorgeous dude in a coffee shop. He had ideas; I had ideas. We went out to the parking lot and sat in my car for a while. Other cars were coming & going in the lot. Another car pulled up, and then the flashing lites came on.
All I could do was look at the dude as I hissed "Randy, are you clean?" I had to step out of my car as the LL shined his light on me and then my car's insides. Randy also rec'd the added invite to 'assume the position'.
Luckily, there were no 'recreational' problems with Randy or his big, 'ole 18-wheel rig. But I didn't know that man from Adam or Eve when my RN career-life flashed before my eyes in sync with those flashing lites.
Only once in my life did I ever knowingly drive 'under the influence'. Truly, I didn't know it at the time when I started to drive home from a co-worker's staff party. But I sure felt it and experienced it about 10mins into my short drive on an empty divided highway as I was crossing painted lines.
Never again, I prayed.
I find it so deceiving how innocuously these episodes started. You never can tell though. And I bet we all who are reading here have some similar 'confessions' to 'fess up. But in reality, all I could think about was 'my license' and possibly 'kissing it all goodbye'.
Reading all your posts just makes me want to hug you all (except a few)
Thank you for putting our profession on a pedestal and not allowing anyone or anything to take that away. What an honorable and inspiring group I am so proud to be a part of
Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN
6 Articles; 12,057 Posts
But that behavior can indeed affect eligibility for licensure or lead to license discipline, such as stipulations, probation, suspension, or revocation. Fact is that licensed professionals are held to a higher standard, and the sooner that is realized the better.