Random drug tests in nursing school?!

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Just out of pure curiosity how many of you have underwent a random drug test during your program? Do these happen a lot? Or only when a student is being suspicious? I'm aware of the annual drug screening but not the random ones. Any insight please!!

Why do you think it would be hokum? Many of the effects (ie. appetite stimulation which can be lifesaving) are very well documented. But yes, start another thread, as that's totally off topic for this thread unless you're talking a nursing student/healthcare provider as the patient with a valid prescription for a marijuana-based product.[/quote']

I don't think it's hokum, I know others do, though. New topic will be started.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

This is not something that I personally witnessed, or found cause to suspect, in my own fun-filled high school days, though I can't rule out the possibility for others from more disadvantaged demographics. I'm curious how you came to this conclusion as a result of working in primary care, as opposed to, say, forensics.

Sorry missed this.

I see it most of the time either during urgent visits or when do follow up visits from patients' ED trips. Drug are much more potent these days than they were 10 or 20 years ago. I will have to find the article but I remember reading that heroin is twenty times more potent today than in the 60s.

This is not something that I personally witnessed, or found cause to suspect, in my own fun-filled high school days, though I can't rule out the possibility for others from more disadvantaged demographics. I'm curious how you came to this conclusion as a result of working in primary care, as opposed to, say, forensics.

I was a heavy weed smoker from age 12 until my first pregnancy at age 20. I had a drug test coming for a job, so I asked a friend who happened to be a probation officer to swipe a few urine tests for me so I could test my urine prior to the scheduled test. The tests he gave me were 4 panel dip stick tests that people on probation use - they test for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines & opiates. When I took the test, I tested positive for thc (duh :]) but I also had a faint positive for cocaine. I have never snorted or smoked coke/crack a day in my life so I immediately called my dealer raving about him lacing my weed. After a short argument, we came to the conclusion that he hadn't intentionally laced my weed, but he had been bagging his weed on the same folding table that he had been bagging the coke he sells. So the weed I bought from him was slightly contaminated.

But to address the OP, I've been clean for 9 months - I quit as soon as I got my acceptance letter. I had one scheduled test before the first day of class & while there are random tests, I haven't been subject to one thus far. I do know that certain clinical sites do testing of their own so instead of getting caught slipping, I opted to stay clean. Weed isnt that big of a deal anyway. I'm so much more productive without it.

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I know this is talking more about the effects of marijuana/ other drugs in the providers system, but what about for the patient? Or should I just start a new board talking about it? Just curious... I haven't taken a pharm class, I got my pharm tech license from Walgreens after working and passing the state board, so I'm really interested to know what you guys think about marijuana being given to pts with critical illnesses? Hokum or helpful?

Starting your own thread about this is a good idea......this is about random drug testing in school.

Specializes in Public Health Nurse.

So far only for school.

I wished the drug testing were better though, one student tested positive for TCH, she was on NSAIDS and apparently this causes a false positive, she had to go through hoops to get a blood test to prove she was not using marijuana, the worse part yet, is that they never asked her on the urine test if she was taking medication, and since she is just a student she did not know the need to report this even without being asked. Now she knows, and made sure we all knew, so if anyone getting a random test and on Aleve, Advil and such, make sure to mention it.

Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
So far only for school.

I wished the drug testing were better though, one student tested positive for TCH, she was on NSAIDS and apparently this causes a false positive, she had to go through hoops to get a blood test to prove she was not using marijuana, the worse part yet, is that they never asked her on the urine test if she was taking medication, and since she is just a student she did not know the need to report this even without being asked. Now she knows, and made sure we all knew, so if anyone getting a random test and on Aleve, Advil and such, make sure to mention it.

Or it could be that they did ask her, but she thought they only wanted to know about prescription meds and not OTCs. It's amazing how often people--patients and otherwise--neglect to share the OTCs they're on when they're asked about their medications.

If asked about whether you are taking any medication, be sure to list prescription, OTC AND herbal medications (e.g., St. Johns Wort).

Specializes in Public Health Nurse.

I take it as her word that they did not ask her, because they did not ask me either...LOL. Our school has a welleness clinic that we can take the drug testing, ppds, etc. there.

However, when she told us what happened to her, I sort of well... was in doubt so I came home and did my own research on the net and found this to be true, worse yet, I read some people lost their jobs after failing drug testing with the same issue as her, and when they asked to see the results they were told it was confidential and could not re-test....Wow....I think this is messed up, if you test positive why can you a) not be able to see the results, b) be re-tested with a similar test my classmate took to prove you are not doing drugs, but rather is a false positive of medications you are taking????

I can see why some may not want to divulge they have health issues to which they have to take medications.

I do not know, it seems like some places may use this as an excuse to fire someone.

I am on the mind that if you do not have anything to hide then not worry about it, but I also know things are not black and white all the time.

I guess this is the way of the future, as one previous poster stated she had to take one to work part time at Target. I never heard that, thought it was only for those of us in this field or a field in which lives are at state. I for one, will make sure to take all the bottles of any medication I am taking on an appointed drug testing, or make sure to state what I am taking if random, just to cover all bases, would not like to lose a job for something like taking Naproxyn...LOL

Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

Or it could be that they did ask her, but she thought they only wanted to know about prescription meds and not OTCs. It's amazing how often people--patients and otherwise--neglect to share the OTCs they're on when they're asked about their medications.

If asked about whether you are taking any medication, be sure to list prescription, OTC AND herbal medications (e.g., St. Johns Wort).

The tests that resulted in false positives for TCH were replaced years ago; even so, it took very high levels of ibuprofen to cause the false positives. If a facility is still using the old tests, then can confirm with the GC/MS test.

My school does not require drug testing at all but some of the hospitals that we may be assigned to for clinicals do. Whether or not we have to take a drug test depends on where we get placed. It was, however, made ver clear to us that if we are even slightly suspected of taking any drugs that we could be subject to testing. We were also told that if we are prescribed narcotics to talk to the program administrator because it could effect our ability to do clinicals.

It seems so hypocritical to me, that so many people are acting as if cannabis use is the worst thing someone could do as a healthcare professional. If for some reason the use of alcohol lingered in the human body for 10 plus days, there would be an ENTIRELY different attitude towards random drug screens from the vast majority of the people posting replies to this question. I rarely drink, maybe 6 times a year?? It's never been something I've enjoyed very much. Nor do I use cannabis, but personally have nothing against anyone who does, as long as they're not coming to work under the influence.

However, if someone admits to using cannabis on their off days, everyone flips out!! Besides it being illegal for no legitimate logical reason by our government, which will and is changing by the way, can someone please explain why alcohol use on off days is so much better for patient's safety and health than using cannabis?? I just don't understand the reasoning behind that. Some of you would completely lose it if you could no longer partake in your nightly glass (or 2 or 3 glasses) of wine or beer for fear of losing your job.

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