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.
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.
I read that right after she posted and I cried while reading it. My hearts breaks for that man, absolutely breaks.
I was not perfect as a kid. I never did have a drop of alcohol throughout high school. I did go to a sorority party with a friend of mine at her sisters college. We were not leaving the sorority house. No chance of driving. I made at stupid mistake at the age of 37 by letting a man I did not know too well make me a drink. I was not wanting to get drunk that night and this guy put a completely different really strong alcohol that o can't tolerate and he knew it in my drink. He got me pretty drunk thinks my he was going to have sex with a girl who was too drunk to say no. I still said no even though I was drunk. That guy never got a call again and I learned a lesson.
Hopefully this girl has learned her lesson got scared enough that it could affect her career and avoids a similar situation in the future.
I was a Deputy Sheriff before I became a nurse and depending on your state they can send a ticket in the mail. It happens all the time, just like the van that takes your picture in an intersection and they send you a ticket. There is nothing legally that states they must write you up on site. And if you don't get a ticket be extremely appreciative that you didn't just ruin your future career. A DUI in my state will make you lose your license or at the very least put you on probation with your state nursing board. A responsible nurse cannot afford to be irresponsible when it comes to patient care so a DUI reflects your being a responsible person.
Good Advice! When you ask a question on a public forum you should be mature enough to take the criticism as well as the good advice. Constructive teaching from experienced Nurses should be valued for what they can teach you. As a Nurse you are held to a standard. A good thing for you to do is look on the Board of Nursing site in your area to find out how quick you can be suspended or lose your license for alcohol or drugs.
Just be careful. My daughter had one at 17 even breathing 0.0 bc it was our house and we were away. She's now a junior in college and a week away from 21, but it was a big hassle!
My daughter got an underage at 17 bc it was our home, we were away, despite blowing a 0.0. It was a big hassle but she knew that having friends over was wrong and did her time. She is a junior in college and one week away from turning 21. She's one of the best people I know and just made a mistake. We all do. Move on and learn from this. They would've cited you and notified your folks right away. Good luck in school!
You will be fine. They would have written you a summons or arrested you on the spot. For the future, you can never put yourself in a position that could risk your nursing license. In NJ, if you get a dui you must report that to the state board of nursing. Nurses are held to high ethical standards. Also, in NJ, you do not need to have a blood alcohol level above the legal limit to get a dui. If the police believe that you are under the influence and appear affected and unsafe by alcohol or any substance---even legally prescribed medication, they can issue a dui. I won't even have one drink and drive. Also, you can be arrested even if you are not participating in illegal activity- but you are with the people/friends, like being at the party where the pot was. Guilt by association. Being young, you will be in these situations again but now you know what you need to do to be responsible and protect yourself. Good luck in school.
The OP made 3 very poor decisions: drinking under age, accepting an open drink from a stranger, and sitting behind the wheel after drinking. She also made one good decision: leaving the party when marijuana appeared.
OP, nurses are held to a higher standard; you know this. Thank your lucky stars if you don't get cited, and learn. No drink is worth your career. In two very short years, you can drink legally. Is it really worth risking your career for a vodka and cranberry?
Furthermore, you are lucky that nothing was in that drink. I personally know others that have not been so lucky.
It's not "parental" to say consider this a narrow escape in more ways than one and learn from it. When you're old enough, drink responsibly, don't ever drive, and always make sure you see that drink being poured.
As for the larger debate about giving advice that the hearer is unlikely to follow: we do this all the time in healthcare. I tell my patients who smoke to stop. Will they? Probably not. I tell my patient with multiple sex partners who says "my men don't like condoms" to use safe sex practices even though I know she won't. I provide nutritional counseling about a balanced, heart-healthy diet to my post-MI patient who is chowing down on a Big Mac and large fries his significant other brought.
In the case of underage drinking, I prefer a "both/and" approach. Do not drink if you are underage, but, if you do, don't drink and drive, and don't accept drinks from strangers.
Just my two cents, from someone who has seen the results of poor judgment fueled by alcohol far too much (I'm an EMT).
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.
wow, if this isn't a reality check to each and every one of us posting on this site, I don't know what is. I know I tend to get snippy when I disagree with a post from time to time, and need to keep this in mind! I almost want to print this out and tape it to my laptop as a reminder. Watch what you say on the Internet, act professionally, and don't say anything you would not tell a stranger to their face. Thank you for the post, direw0lf, wise words that are worth reading.
Farawyn
12,646 Posts
Yea, I realized that after. Thanks!