Drugs

[CCHADWI]

Personally I've never smoked Marijuana or done any other illegal drug, so to be able to discuss effects it's had on me physically or mentally would be impossible. This is just something I've wanted to be able to tell my kids I've never done.(not that I have any yet or anything) It has however had an effect on me personally due to friends doing a lot of them. Marijuana isn't the same as a lot of other drugs that I've seen people do and the toll that they have taken on them.

I have always been a strong supporter of marijuana being legalized, and have done a number of research papers on the issue, back when I was in college. In college you could even hold focus groups to get information from people, due to the fact it was everywhere you turned. But at the same time, I can make arguments that it does impair people directly, and can lead to accidents which can be fatal.

Having worked for two different Fortune 500 companies, being a manager for one of them, we held numerous drug screens, for both managers, and the employees. I did know of a number of people who smoked on a regular basis, which somehow managed to pass their tests, and in no way did it ever effect their performance. So I guess for testing, it depends on the facility itself.

The key question to ask yourself Bama is, "Is smoking worth the chance of it effecting my career?" If you can say that I'm not giving it up, you should choose another field. If you can say, no it's not worth it, because nursing is something I've always wanted to do, and I wouldn't want anything to obstruct my chances of having a long career in this industry, than you should stick with nursing and quit smoking.

This is just my two cents worth. Whether you take it for value or consider it nonsense, that's your opinion as well. Either way, I wish you the best with whatever you decide, and hope everything works out well for you.

[Generation2]

What I meant by "a nurse should know better" is that there's a bigger picture here. That's our job, our training, to see the big picture. The whole situation. I myself was addicted to cigaretts, and I smoked pot. I know nobody's immune, and I don't get off on being high and mighty. Sorry if I came off that way. I'll never blame anyone for being addicted to something, but if you're not addicted I'll give you some flack. No, most marijuana smokers are not violent. People don't kill for pot. But people do kill for money, and drug trade is a cash-only business. "Prices for commercial-grade marijuana have remained relatively stable over the past decade, ranging from approximately $400 to $1,000 per pound in U.S. Southwest border areas to between $700 to $2000 per pound in the Midwest and northeastern United States." That's from the DEA website.
"Furthermore, criminal groups operating from neighboring Mexico smuggle... marijuana into the United States. These criminal groups have smuggled heroin and marijuana across the Southwest Border and distributed them throughout the United States since the 1970s."
The statement I'm trying to make here is this: people do get hurt because of marijuana, and people who ignore that are, in my opinion, socially irresponsible. That's why I don't do it anymore.
Lastly, don't tell me not to make judgements. You have no right to tell me what to think.

[imported_Aaron C.]

I agree that it hurts people in that regard. I think anything illegal does. I was referring to it more along the lines of the actual physical act of smoking pot and it's effects.

I think that this would become a neverending argument (oh well, it's at least discussion on here I guess), because of the fact that if it was legal, the harm you're discussing would be nonexistant, but the fact remains that it IS STILL ILLEGAL.

I don't think that you can tell people they are socially irresponsible because they smoke pot, other than for the simple fact that the "law" says it's illegal.

That's almost like saying if you aren't personally taking a stand against alchohol because some people drink and drive, then you are socially irresponsible.

I'm still going to continue to eat cheeseburgers from fast food restaurants even though fat and cholestoral are clogging peoples arteries and giving causing them to have strokes and heart attacks.

I mean, I agree with you in principle, but not so much with your actual argument. Does that make sense?

[BamaRN]

Gen. I'm not telling you what to think, nor what to believe. I'm simply asking that you refrain from making judgements about someone you have never met. And as for your argument about importers/smugglers (etc.), what's your response to someone that grows their own?

Bus, thanks for the responses (and everyone else). I always enjoy a little healthy debating, ESPECIALLY when there is no (agreeable) right or wrong answer.

[mercynurse]

I've never done any kind of recretional drugs as a personal choice but...
My husband's master thesis was on the ineffectiveness of the "war on drugs" Pot is no more of a problem than alcohol....probably less so except that it is still illegal.

[medi]

Hi BamaRN..
I'm not going to bother to get into whether pot should be legalized or not because what I think doesn't really change the fact that it is. My husband is fond of saying "what is, is"... and in this case that's the way it is.
Like WindingRoad..I've never had to do a drug test.. not even in the service.. but times are changing and I see "We drug test" signs up everywhere lately- even at Walmarts and Taco Bells.. my point being that I think you can expect drug screening almost anywhere you might go to work after you graduate. If you smoke pot can you be sure you have the time to use Goldenseal or whatever the latest thing that clears it from your system is before a random test at work?

(No... I've never used any illegal drug including pot, but I'm sorry (and sad) to say that my daughter used to smoke pot so I know how she cleared it from her system before pre-employment physicals).

I wouldn't want a doctor who was stoned taking care of me. I sure wouldn't want my nurse to have a buzz either- any more than I'd want an alcoholic with my life in their hands.

The point I'm getting at here is that I have to go along with those who are advising you to make a choice about what's really important to you. Do you want a career (as a nurse)-- or is getting high more important to you?

If getting high wins.. then that tells you you shouldn't become a nurse.

So... what's more important to you?

Also.. I don't know about your school, but mine was extremely competative. My class started out with well over 250 students but only 42 of us made it to that BSN degree (and we were the largest class they graduated). If your college is as competative you'd better worry about some fellow student telling an instructor you smoke pot! Remember- clinicals are highly subjective and clinical instructors can fail you on a whim. All it would take is someone who wants to graduate instead of you slipping the word to the wrong ears. Is a little pot worth it?? To you? To your future (and career).. to those who love you?

[RNBob]

I read these responses and it's easy to see the polarization on the subject of drug use. Fact is, whatever your opinion is you can't help but communicate it to patients so it is good to do some self-examination on the topic. I hope your opinion are guided by compassion.
During my years in hospice I know that using pot alleviated many symptoms for people suffering at the end of their lives.
I've personally lost interest in smoking pot but enjoyed using it recreationally for years. It is possible to evade drug screens. Many facilities have stopped drug testing because so few people test positive. I once worked in a herbal shop and we sold teas that successfully concealed the use of THC.
My experience has been that occasional use is relatively benign but that joint you smoked last night will still be affecting you at morning report.

[Anonymous]

I am supposing you have done some self examination also.



WR,,, three commas for Becca

[mercynurse]

Nursing always requires drug testing...you can't smoke when you hold a nursing job...if you are tested and are positive, you can loose your license, or be made to attend rehab.

[Anonymous]

I have been a nurse for 24 years. Last September was the first time I was ever tested. This is my 5th travel assignment.. From CT to NV to CA and now in NC..Three different companies.


WR,,, three commas for Becca