Marijuana user starting program in Fall

[Catatonik]

Hello I am starting a nursing program this coming Fall. I use marijuana every day and find nothing wrong with that but at the same time I understand there are consequences and sacrifices that come with the lifestyle.

My primary goal is to make it through nursing school and later on find work that is suitable for the lifestyle I find appropriate. I have my bachelor's degree in another field in case nursing does not work out for me.

I recently attended my school's nursing program orientation and have a blood test I have to schedule. I looked over the paperwork and found the typical comprehensive blood panel spaces for the results, as well as a remark to attach the actual paperwork to the program's sheet. The blood work is to be done at the school's clinic. There is no mention of drug testing, no consent forms to drug testing (very common in California), and no mention in the school's guidelines about drug testing. Of course, they state a strong stance of zero-tolerance for attending classes and school-related activities under the influence of any drug. I do not know if nursing falls under a federal regulation that allows for drug testing without consent. But my job for example, must obtain prior consent for future random drug tests, and will do so only in the event of negligence or an accident.

So I have a few questions: Does it look like I will be tested for drugs? Marijuana is mostly a recreational drug for me so I am willing to stop using it if I have to. I also may be able to obtain a state marijuana card for a condition I have. Or am I just asking for trouble if I don't remain 100% clean while attending the program? Acceptance of Marijuana use is changing in California, but professionally I've seen standards that range from legal tolerance to immediate grounds for dismissal or termination. And sometimes it is hard to tell from the outside.

Please don't lecture me about my past. I just need some realistic advice suitable for a hippy going into a 2-year RN program.

[leslie :-D]

The subject is one that hits home with a lot of people.

i honestly don't know why...

as if any of us is eligible for sainthood?

but i do understand about things hitting home.

i respond in same when it comes to hypocrisy.

leslie

[LaceyRN]

I appreciate the support. I guess that license is the critical part I haven't been focusing on. Currently it looks like I will be doing without MJ for nursing school. And I'll be ready to stay that way if I have to. (bummer)

ooops, I accidentally clicked the "thanks" button on your posting instead of the "quote" button, but nevertheless I must ask...

I don't understand how/why this is choice that's hard to make. The decision seems clear to me. You can either choose to continue to use an illegal substance and not go the NS or you can give up the substance and go to NS. I don't think you can have it both ways and its certainly not fair to your patients, IMO. I personally wouldn't want a nurse who smokes MJ on her free time to have MY life in her hands, and I think for an RN or MD to do so is irresponsible.

[amjowens]

You sound very responsible. You're looking honestly at yourself, and contemplating the possible need for change. It's the people who are in denial about possible problems they might create for themselves who have it bad!

We were given a story the first day (I think-at least first week of classes) about students in a clinical group who were drug-tested. As student-nurses, if the facility we do our clinicals wants a drug test, we are required to have it done. In the case we were given, there were meds missing, and everyone on the particular unit were tested, even though our school doesn't do drug testing in an organized way. I'm sure we were told this for a lesson, not just for the heck of it. Nurses do have to abide by a different set of standards, different (well, not in the case of marijuana) from the general public.

I have been at several events where smoking was an option, and as I have went ahead and enjoyed myself before NS, I definitely avoided participating while given the option while in school. For those of us who are social about smoking weed (thinking of it almost as alcohol-limited to a certain environment and time), I agree that nursing schoool changes all that!

[luvmy3kids]

I guess my concern for you would be the fact that once you are working you will have easy access to many different kinds of narcotics. Is it possible that that could be a problem for you?

If not, I say... to each their own. If you aren't going to be "on-call" or doing it before you go in, I suppose it's up to you.

My aunt drinks like mad on her days off. I have a feeling she is way worse than someone high on MJ would be. It's all how you handle it.

Good luck to you. I hope you find the strength to do what is right for you.

Take care,

Jennifer

[CAnursingstudent]

As as advocate and script-holder of MJ and a nursing student, I can tell you that even if you are not being drug tested you shouldn't use it, or use it only sparingly because YOU WILL NEED ALL YOUR BRAIN CELLS!!! I was using and my grade shows it... I have sinced stopped and my grades went up. Nursing school is hard, but you really do need your brain at it's best functioning level... For the record, I have never had a problem with using in any other area of my schooling, but nursing school is very different and people's lives will depend on what you learn and how you can think. I sure miss it, but I can tell that I am better off without it, but there are some days when all I want to do is smoke and crawl into a fetal position. I have to resist those days and sadly have begun drinking a tad (since that is legal) to relieve my stress!

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

As as advocate and script-holder of MJ and a nursing student, I can tell you that even if you are not being drug tested you shouldn't use it, or use it only sparingly because YOU WILL NEED ALL YOUR BRAIN CELLS!!! I was using and my grade shows it... I have sinced stopped and my grades went up. Nursing school is hard, but you really do need your brain at it's best functioning level... For the record, I have never had a problem with using in any other area of my schooling, but nursing school is very different and people's lives will depend on what you learn and how you can think. I sure miss it, but I can tell that I am better off without it, but there are some days when all I want to do is smoke and crawl into a fetal position. I have to resist those days and sadly have begun drinking a tad (since that is legal) to relieve my stress!

I have to get out of the house and take a walk or do some kind of exercise. While I was in school I also took a PE class during pre-reqs and then during nursing school I either walked the track or jogged.

My mental health break is exercise.

steph

[Hotflashn]

I am in CA and have to submit to a drug screen and background check before they will let me enroll in the nursing courses. Drug screens are also very common as part of pre-employment routines, as well. I would guess you will face one sooner or later. I would expect that you are not intending to go into school or work high and are an educated adult making choices for your own body, so no lecture here. I will tell you though, that I would not be surprised to find the BRN and the state of CA have some strong feelings about it. You may want to see what consequences you could face if you had any drug related offenses. It would be such a shame to work so hard for so long only to be denied of your nursing license.

This was extracted from the Business and Professions Code of California regarding unprofessional conduct that could result in discipline (including loss of license) :

2762. Drug-related transgressions

In addition to other acts constituting unprofessional conduct within the meaning of this chapter it is unprofessional conduct for a person licensed under this chapter to do any of the following:

(a) Obtain or possess in violation of law, or prescribe, or except as directed by a licensed physician and surgeon, dentist, or podiatrist administer to himself or herself, or furnish or administer to another, any controlled substance as defined in Division 10 (commencing with Section 11000) of the Health and Safety Code or any dangerous drug or dangerous device as defined in Section 4022.

(b) Use any controlled substance as defined in Division 10 (commencing with Section 11000) of the Health and Safety Code, or any dangerous drug or dangerous device as defined in Section 4022, or alcoholic beverages, to an extent or in a manner dangerous or injurious to himself or herself, any other person, or the public or to the extent that such use impairs his or her ability to conduct with safety to the public the practice authorized by his or her license.

© Be convicted of a criminal offense involving the prescription, consumption, or self-administration of any of the substances described in subdivisions (a) and (b) of this section, or the possession of, or falsification of a record pertaining to, the substances described in subdivision (a) of this section, in which event the record of the conviction is conclusive evidence thereof.

(d) Be committed or confined by a court of competent jurisdiction for intemperate use of or addiction to the use of any of the substances described in subdivisions (a) and (b) of this section, in which event the court order of commitment or confinement is prima facie evidence of such commitment or confinement.

Certainly a lot at stake. When you said "I understand there are consequences and sacrifices that come with the lifestyle" I wasn't sure which lifestyle you meant - MJ user or nurse. Both, I would say entail consequences and sacrifices.

Best wishes.

[trepinCT]

It has been my experience as a nurse that showing empathy will get you way farther with your client education plan than judging their choices.

It seemed to me that the OP was asking an honest question and was gracious in considering the feedback so it really didn't need to get to this, imo.

I said nothing about judging a patient, what I said was educating is a BIG part of being a nurse,,educate educate educate..how can you possibly educate the patient on a healthier lifestyle if you use drugs yourself? As nurses we are told that we will encounter many different types of people who's religion, culture, and lifestyle might not be what ours is and we need to put our personal feelings aside and educate the patient so that they can make the heath care decisions they feel is best for them.

It got to this because some of us have strong feeling on this subject and she asked for an honest answer. Did she honestly think that this wasn't the reaction she wasn't going to get? This was all feedback, just because you or anyone else felt it was harsh doesn't mean it wasn't feedback. It was, just maybe not the feedback she wanted.

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

Wow! I'm kind of floored by this thread! If your smoking dope for medicinal or any other reason, please don't go into nursing! Just think if you get hurt on the job, here in WI your automatically drug tested with a work related injury. You'll be done. Not to mention the harm you can cause a patient. The first lesson we learn as nurses is 'do no harm'. If you can honestly smoke dope and you really think your on top of your game, you are sadly mistaken. Open your eyes and quit smoking that dope so your head can clear. If you need it, its called addiction. If you say its just recreational, then why bother writing into this site? It seems pretty obvious your bothered enough to wonder if you should stop. HELLO! Yes you should stop. Have you read about brain cells and pot?

If you do continue to use, please stay right in CA so I don't have to worry about you taking care of my loved ones!!

Sorry this is so harsh, but I really think you need to think a moment outside of your question and see the whole picture.

[Jules A, MSN]

As nurses we are told that we will encounter many different types of people who's religion, culture, and lifestyle might not be what ours is and we need to put our personal feelings aside and educate the patient so that they can make the heath care decisions they feel is best for them.

Absolutely but your response was judgemental and the OP probably didn't expect to encounter such an atomsphere of superiority. The biggest issue I had was your flagrant statement about your fancy "second year nursing student" status, lol.

how can you possibly educate the patient on a healthier lifestyle if you use drugs yourself?

Hmmm so how can heavy nurses educate clients on maintaining a healthy weight? They aren't able to do it.

[Jules A, MSN]

Wow! I'm kind of floored by this thread! If your smoking dope for medicinal or any other reason, please don't go into nursing! Just think if you get hurt on the job, here in WI your automatically drug tested with a work related injury. You'll be done. Not to mention the harm you can cause a patient. The first lesson we learn as nurses is 'do no harm'. If you can honestly smoke dope and you really think your on top of your game, you are sadly mistaken. Open your eyes and quit smoking that dope so your head can clear. If you need it, its called addiction. If you say its just recreational, then why bother writing into this site? It seems pretty obvious your bothered enough to wonder if you should stop. HELLO! Yes you should stop. Have you read about brain cells and pot?

If you do continue to use, please stay right in CA so I don't have to worry about you taking care of my loved ones!!

Sorry this is so harsh, but I really think you need to think a moment outside of your question and see the whole picture.

I'm floored by this response and hope you stay out of my state because I don't want to have to worry about harsh, judgemental nurses caring for my loved ones!

[Fun2, BSN, RN]

I agree with Marla . . . . you have to choose your recreational use of pot or an RN license.

This is something you definitely have to soul-search for....What is more important to you in life.....