drug testing in school

[prettylittlenurse2b]

So I am a nursing student and I hear all the time that hospitals do random drug testing often. However; I only had to take a drug test to get into school, and haven't had one since. Do you think schools should also do random drug screens, how many drug test did you take while in school, and was there a reason for having to submit more than one?

[hikernurse]

We had to do a drug test within 23 hours of the start of NS orientation. We had to pay for it in cash (aren't all drug deals done in cash ). We had to sign a paper saying we understood that random drug tests (again paid for by us) could be required at any time, for any reason and refusal to do it immediately would

result in immediate dismissal. I never heard of anyone having a PRN test, but I guess it's not something they would announce .

We didn't have to pee in front of anybody. We used the school restrooms; there was some blue stuff in the toilet and we weren't allowed to flush. They did have an employee in the bathroom, but they definitely weren't watching.

[Jdl2002]

We had to take a drug test the summer before first year of nursing school. If I did have to pay for it, then the cost was included in my tuition. We had to take it at the employee health office of our hospital and could schedule it anytime in July. I had to empty my pockets and a nurse locked my belogings in a cabinet, then I went into a restroom alone.

Our school's policy is that you can be asked to take a drug test at any time, but I don't know of anyone who has ever been asked to take another.

If you do an externship at our hospital, then you have to take a blood test.

[jackson145]

I've never had to have a drug test for school. My husband never had one the whole time he was in NS. At work, I had to pass a drug test before they would hire me. After the pre-employment, they only test if they suspect you've come to work under-the-influence.

[lvnandmomx3]

Never had to take a drug test for school or for a clinical site. Did have to take one for employment though.IMO all emloyers and or school should be able to do random testing especially if you have a job that involves other peoles lives (nursing, airplane pilots,bus drivers.....ect).

[BBQvegan]

Anyone ever hear of a Dr. being drug tested?

[Woodenpug, BSN]

My facility has pre employees testing for everyone. The MD's for the most part are not employees, however those who are, are required to take the drug test. The policy is then testing only for cause. That is the policy for everyone.

The testing for cause thing is another silly idea. I've only seen that done once, and the nurse was so intoxicated, she could not find the door out of the med room. That was years ago and at another facility. I've never seen the "for cause" overused, but I think someone could, for political reasons.

Cause, if it was clearly defined and not left to the judgment of a person, would be a policy I could support. For example, any sentinel incident results in an automatic drug screen for all involved. Pre-employement/enrollment and random testing is a policy I oppose, but it's a minor battle. So, I only whine about it when given an opening.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I haven't been drug tested...yet. They can demand it of me at any time though, and so can the agencies that I do my clinicals at. I've heard of doctor's being drug tested too. And to be honest, I don't blame any of them for wanting drug testing.

Just remember if you do have a drug test, to list EVERY single medication (including OTC and herbal) that you've taken/have taken within the required period of time. Don't worry what people will think...because it's a LOT less embarassing to list all those meds than it is to get a false positive test straightened out. Go on, ask me how I know.

[JanessaG, BSN]

I was drug tested once for school and once for my job. I think we signed a form that said we could be drug tested at any time for school.... I believe they only did further testing if they had a reason to suspect there was a problem. But I definately agree with other posts, whether its for school or a job, we have people's lives in our hands..... drug testing should be allowed at any time for any reason.

[Woodenpug, BSN]

I was drug tested once for school and once for my job. I think we signed a form that said we could be drug tested at any time for school.... I believe they only did further testing if they had a reason to suspect there was a problem. But I definately agree with other posts, whether its for school or a job, we have people's lives in our hands..... drug testing should be allowed at any time for any reason.

If it actually addressed the problem of drugs in the workplace, I would agree.

I can't accept the attitude that since I will never have a positive or false positive then let's fry those druggies in the name of patient safety. I know I won't have a true positive for obvious reasons and I'm pretty sure I won't have a false positive because I've never needed to list my medications or change my diet before a tox screen.

If we are serious about a drug free work environment, we need to address this issue in a better way.

[AlabamaBelle]

Yes, MDs can be drug tested. One weekend, the pee-in-a-cup brigade was going full tilt. No sooner had one of our RNs gotten back from his than they called our intensivist for a drug test.

One of our secretaries came in one night and was apparently under the influence of something. The house supervisor came and told her to go to the ER for a breathzalyzer. The sec refused. She was immediately terminated. Refusal to submit to drug testing is equated to a positive test and, as spelled out in our handbook, cause for immediate dismissal.

[APBT mom, LPN, RN]

Also keep in mind that even though your school may require one drug test at the beginning if you get hurt while in the lab or at clinicals they work it up like a workmans comp claim so they will require you to give a urine sample. If it comes back positive you get stuck with the bill and you're out of the program. It works the same way when you have a job.

[jxoxo]

do clinical sites test for mj ?