Random drug tests

Nurses LPN/LVN

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Hi im an LPN in the iowa/nebraska/south dakota area. (yes my city is divided into three states, they are all compact states). I dont do random drug tests at my facility they only do one when you first get hired.

I am drug free but I still have concerns because I am around 2nd hand marijuana smoke every once in awhile. One of these days when I leave the place I work and move on to a facility that does more strict drug testing im afraid I might have my entire career that I worked so hard for destroyed. That would be the worst thing ever... So im wondering am I alone? Are there any other nurses out there that hang around people that have a little smoke in your car once in awhile? I always have them crack a window open but I get really anxious when I can smell it. I keep thinking "oh no my urine is getting dirtier and dirtier with each breath!". Its always me driving and him in the passenger seat.

I dont hang out with a bad crowd. This person is a family member and hes not a bad person for lighting up a little pot once in awhile, it just kinda keeps him from getting a decent job. He doesnt force me to do anything he knows that I cant put my career at risk. In the midwest you cant do ANYTHING with pot on your record. I know its a ridiculous world we live in. The law treats pot like its some kind of dangerous drug.

Anyway... just want to know anyone else around pot enough to smell it in the air around you but dont smoke it and do a lot of random drug tests? It would be nice to know beause if it anyone has ever lost a job from 2nd hand marijuana smoke im probably going to have to have a "no pot in the car" policy. Of course... he'll probably just tell me im being overly worried or something.

Specializes in med-surg, urgent care, emergency med.

sho nuff!

I don't know how to sugarcoat this....so I won't. You friend/relative is an idiot.

He doesn't have a job, but thinks nothing of putting yours in jepordy. Which he is.

Ya'll are too old for peer pressure stuff--

And I wouldn't put too much thought into someone who can't go a bit in a car without smoking pot.

REALLY? Cause his Mom and Daddy won't let him smoke in the basement???????

Honestly.

As an adult with a job and responsibility you don't need to explain why it is you don't drink or use drugs.

He should "try everything at least once" and go the heck to work. But chances are he will ignore it.

Specializes in TELE, CVU, ICU.

I do not think the subject is moronic at all. On the one hand, this person's relative is showing enormous disrespect by smoking in the car. I don't smoke tobacco cigarettes in someone else car, home, or other personal space. Its rude and obnoxious. Why on earth would anyone think weed is any different?

The jackass shouldn't be using any intoxicant in the car, no matter what type. Whether he is the passenger is also irrelevant. Weed is an intoxicant and one should not use intoxicants in a vehicle. One cannot drink a beer in the car, even if one is not driving (ie the passenger in a moving vehicle). If the driver gets stopped with open container (regardless of whose it is) in the car the driver is going down for DUI. One cannot even be under the influence in a stopped vehicle with the keys in the ignition without running the risk of being arrested for DUI. It would be this way even if weed were legal. LIKE IT SHOULD BE.

On the other hand, why should my career be at stake if I go to a concert, a club, a walk in the park or anywhere else where I might catch a whiff of weed? What if I am a home health nurse and one of my clients uses medical marijuana? Hell, what if I have a prescription for it?

These are legitimate questions.

Specializes in Trying to bring a little humor to people.

I like that everybody is giving this guy good advice and all but instead of all the negativity (yes I think some is in here) how about just answer his question? I know one person said it is possible but does anybody else have more info for this guy since thats what he is asking for? He is on the other hand not asking for a moral lesson or telling him to stop letting people walk all over him yada yada yada

I am pretty sure since he stated it he knows what the dangers are.

Specializes in Public Health Nurse.

I agree with Gypsy, this topic has a forum. I am sure there is one black sheep in every family.

To the OP, I will try to post my view in the most non-judgemental way....I am sure the reason you went to school is to have a better life, I can probably even go as far as knowing that you will pursue nursing further. You like what you do, and hopefully where you work as well....so why risk it?

I understand about loyalty and such, but is he thinking of being loyal to you as well?

Whatever he does in his own home is his business, but like Dr. Phil says, you train people how to treat you...he needs to respect you and he is not..... Would you be so forgiven if you lose your job because of it? Can you imagine being fired for something that you are not responsible for, much less this?

Re- assess and impose your rules.

Good luck.

Several years ago before I became a nurse, i was in a living situation that exposed me to quite a bit of 2nd hand marijuana smoke almost daily - and not much that I could do about it, as I was graciously given a place to stay during some difficult times (and thankfully was able to find better living arrangements quickly). I was able to pass a urine drug screening for a police dispatch job (as well as having to admit to being exposed to 2nd hand smoke, though did not have to state I was living with people who were smoking, because you have to pass a polygraph and it's best to be upfront). The only thing that kept me from the job was not passing the personality test - and I was 1st pick for the job until that!

If you are concerned about 2nd hand smoke exposure causing a positive drug test, my suggestion would be to go pick up one of the marijuana tests from the walgreens/cvs/etc and take it just to be certain (particularly after being exposed) - I think they're about $20 or so and then you'll know if it's an issue and then you can try to address it with your family member - I typically try to explain to people that I can lose my licenses for those types of things and I don't appreciate their lack of respect for my surroundings and well being and will typically remove myself from the situation if possible.

added:

I also agree with the others about using it in your car - doesn't matter how far in the country you are you should never let anyone use any substance including alcohol in your car while you are driving, it's just a bad idea because even if you are not using you could still be held liable for it as well as given a possession charge - guilty by association, basically and i know where I live that's typically something you get put on suspension/probation pending investigation by the board and you have to go through a treatment program and NA/AA meetings to restore your license status.

Specializes in med-surg, urgent care, emergency med.

But he does bear some responsibility if he loses his job...he's choosing to keep hanging around this person knowing there can be some repercussions for doing so. The old adage "actions speak louder than words" can apply here. It's two fold..action: knowingly hanging around this pothead & the inaction: not separating himself from it..the possible reaction: loss of job & license, and the fault wouldn't fall squarely on mr. fried brains. Some ties need to be broken and this is one of them. This particular nurse needs to be responsible and step up and do what's best for him and only him or face the possibility of a career killer that will follow him like a pesky gnat.

No, occasional second hand marijuana smoke is not known to produce positive results on a UDS.

Specializes in Dialysis/Nephrology.
I do not think the subject is moronic at all. On the one hand, this person's relative is showing enormous disrespect by smoking in the car. I don't smoke tobacco cigarettes in someone else car, home, or other personal space. Its rude and obnoxious. Why on earth would anyone think weed is any different?

The jackass shouldn't be using any intoxicant in the car, no matter what type. Whether he is the passenger is also irrelevant. Weed is an intoxicant and one should not use intoxicants in a vehicle. One cannot drink a beer in the car, even if one is not driving (ie the passenger in a moving vehicle). If the driver gets stopped with open container (regardless of whose it is) in the car the driver is going down for DUI. One cannot even be under the influence in a stopped vehicle with the keys in the ignition without running the risk of being arrested for DUI. It would be this way even if weed were legal. LIKE IT SHOULD BE.

On the other hand, why should my career be at stake if I go to a concert, a club, a walk in the park or anywhere else where I might catch a whiff of weed? What if I am a home health nurse and one of my clients uses medical marijuana? Hell, what if I have a prescription for it?

These are legitimate questions.

And if you were a Home Health Nurse and your client DID smoke medical marijuana and they smoked around you while you were there then you left and went to your next client and that client smelling it on your uniform they would call your boss and then the Nursing Board! Then you have ALL THIS DRAMA and for what? What did YOU do? Not a damn thing but do your job! So then your in to explaining, defending, etc....WHY? Because someone smoked AROUND you...Yes I agree, it SHOULD be legal IMO...

Maybe its just because of where I live but I'm also a Phlebotomist and in my years of practice with that I have never seen someone test positive for 2nd hand.

Specializes in Emergency Room.

You're not going to fail a drug test off second hand marijuana smoke. And even if you failed a drug test at worst you'd probably just lose your job. That being said though if you're that concerned you should either give your friend/relative an ultimatum to stop smoking around you or just stop hanging around them.

And what is up with all the nasty comments in this thread? Does it make some of you feel better to act like complete jerks to someone asking for advice or what?

Specializes in 4.

I honestly think this was a good question. I am sure there are others who are afraid to ask. From my knowledge, 2nd hand mj smoke won't be picked up during a UDS. If I were you, I would ask him to please not smoke in my car & just leave it at that.

Specializes in Dialysis/Nephrology.
You're not going to fail a drug test off second hand marijuana smoke. And even if you failed a drug test at worst you'd probably just lose your job. That being said though if you're that concerned you should either give your friend/relative an ultimatum to stop smoking around you or just stop hanging around them.

And what is up with all the nasty comments in this thread? Does it make some of you feel better to act like complete jerks to someone asking for advice or what?

Its just that smoking pot is still considered illegal, therefore its 'tabu' :no:

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