TRENDS IN AMERICAN FEMALE NURSING STUDENT'S DRINKING PROBLEMS OVER THE PAST DECADE.

Abstract

PURPOSE: the purpose of this study was to determine if there had been a change over a decade in problems related to drinking. METHODS: The Student Alcohol Questionnaire was used with a quota sample of university students over four time periods. The instrument has a reliability coefficient of .79. and includes 17 problems related to alcohol use and abuse. Female nursing students were select out of the total sample for the four time periods resulting in a sample of 607. RESULTS: Among this sample of female nursing students, who consumed alcohol at least once during the previous 12 months, there was a significant increase in 5 of the 17 problems related to drinking. Over a third of the students had missed a class because of a hangover. Over 10% had been in trouble with the law because of drinking and about 4% had gotten into trouble with school administration, gotten into a fight after drinking too much, or were arrested for driving while intoxicated. There was no change in the percent of heavy or "binge" drinkers.CONCLUSIONS: other than five problems there appears to be few changes regarding drinking. However, three of the problems could potentially affect school, clinical performance or obtaining a license. Alcohol education for student nurses needs to be implemented as part of the curriculum.