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.

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

It's really not that hard. At least if you're a grown-up. Say not in the car. Mean it.

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.

In the small space of a car, it's not so much second-hand as being almost first-hand.

I wholeheartedly believe marijuana should be legal. But it's not. If one cares more about looking cool to their friend than about their ability to maintain a job and keep their license unencumbered, better to be negative now BEFORE something happens rather than wait for OP to come back wanting advice on keeping his license with a possession charge on his record.

Specializes in Home health.

A whole bunch of comments and only a handful of actual answers. People are suggesting pretty much booting a family member for smoking pot. While yes, it's putting OP at risk, it did not ask for anyone's advice on how to deal with family members. And aren't we taught in nursing school not to be judgmental? What's with attacking the poor guy? I agree with previous posts that op should check if he comes up positive with a home drug test

Specializes in family nurse practitioner.

Hey OP. Interesting thread to say the least :)! My thought is...will the drug screen be positive if someone ask for a hair sample? Take one of the other posters advice and purchase some over the counter drug test. In the mean time, I agree that having your relative smoke pot in your car could lead to trouble with your license and your back ground. If you ever get a chance, watch a movie on lifetime called Guilt by association. Its on demand. A nurses life was devestated bc her BF was selling marijuanna. All she knew was he smoked it sometimes. But knowing of a crime (even if you dont think it should be one) and not reporting makes you just as guilty as the person commiting the crime. I know thats unfortunate and far fetched, but it does happen. I think if you ask your family member nicely to smoke before or after riding with you, he will understand. If he is unable to work because of it, he should Really understand and be cool with not doing it. Because even if it does not show up in your drug screen, it wont matter if you are pulled over and the drugs are found in your car or you all smell of marijuanna. Just my two cents! Good luck :).

It sounds like you are trying come up with any possible excuse for this person's inexcusable behavior. Keep hanging with him, and you will be in the same boat he is. Just sayin'.

Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

Why would you let HIM smoke in YOUR car? Go ahead and ask someone in law enforcement what kind of trouble YOU'LL be in if you're ever stopped while he partakes in his "harmless habit".

He can't get a job because of his stupid decisions and now you're letting him risk yours?! Sorry to be blunt, but you're a fool.

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 HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

He's gonna ignore it? Wow. And you'll let him?

Nah im a straight dude this is one of my relatives thats around my age. Hes always sees me as "too strict and uptight" about things. I dont drink, smoke, havent even tried pot. Tells me I should "try everything at least once" and all that. If I start enforcing a no pot in the car policy hes gonna ignore it. The car is really the only place where its dangerous, since I live in a very remote backwoods part of nebraska theres almost no chance he'll be caught smoking it in my backyard surrounded by trees. Id never go so far as to say you cant smoke it there.

Gosh very interesting. I can't imagine being "pot tested" in my state of CA. Our unit would have a nursing shortage, R.T. shortage, etc.

Specializes in Utilization Management; Case Management.

:woot: oh California, California...never been there, sounds ...interesting, lol!!

There are lots of people wishing bad luck on this poor guy...sucks horribly. My mom would say stop putting your goat mouth on people children...hehe! OP nope, no positive from second hand. And you take the risks you are confortable with. Yea pot is illegal but we arent discussing legality. There are lots of posts with statements that I think are obvious considerations that the OP may have already contemplated and will deal with his way. Lots of judging here. Sounds like some ppl were deprived of a lil toke...may losen them up a bit, lol. Not trying to offend anyone but I do see lots of preaching and finger pointing that is backed up by a whole lot of assumptions and no attention to the details of the question posed...but I find on AN its hard to stay on topic...

Loser and idiot aren't nice...just because YOU would feel that way about yourself or you live in a community that name calls that way... Thats why people aren't open about things...pot, sexuality, religion, shoot being pregnant....just afraid their co-workers will judge and finger point and label....a shame you can't even go on AN to ask questions or vent without the same things happening...can't escape the "that was dumb, and anyone can track you down and find you and rip your license away." But hey this is America...land of the most fearful free people... ready to give up all opinions, outlooks and liberities for what big brother says.

OP do your thing, CYA bc I'm sure you know the potential consequences... then, move your family member to California. Just boought my ticket, lol j/k!!!

I have been working at same hospital for a zillion years and there has never been random drug test. Not even for new hires. I think it is like testing for MRSA. Many would come up positive. I always wonder if that is the reason why they do not test for MRSA. They would lose a lot of staff? As for the OP wondering about being tested positive for pot due to second hand smoke, it is in my opinion doubtful. One can test positive for it by eating a poppyseed bagel. I would never have anyone smoke any product in my car and do not understand why the OP has difficulty with that. Now this will get all of you......the city I live in is cigarette smoke free in all places, including apts. exception is in a home. We also can't wash our car due to soap being bad for environment and can get ticketed for washing car in driveway which is crazy. As for the pot issue......due to our many "clubs" the ease of getting it is overwhelming. They are now trying again to make it legal and working hard on making it legal in Oregon, WA and CO.

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 yadaI am pretty sure since he stated it he knows what the dangers are.
My husband (very successful, sweet, kind, compassionate husband who supported me financially and emotionally through nursing school) is a heavy weed smoker. Im around the smoke daily, have been for 8 years, and have taken 3 drug tests in the last few years, all came back negative. Im starting a new job soon and will be taking another drug test possibly tomorrow. Ill update on how that goes. A previous fellow nursing student said she knew someone who tested positive from second hand smoke. For all I know though, that is just what the person claimed, but could very well be true also. So thats my experience, hope it helps. Ignore the judgemental ignorant comments. Im sure you're smart enough to know all the risks and will be prepared to accept the consequences if something were to happen. Good Luck : )

You're not in any danger of failing a drug test unless he is "hot boxing" ( smoking an excessive amount of marijuana with the windows rolled up and no ventilation with the intent of filling the car with as much smoke as possible). I come from a Jamaican family and I have never had a problem passing a drug test due to just being exposed to second hand smoke.

A whole bunch of comments and only a handful of actual answers. People are suggesting pretty much booting a family member for smoking pot. While yes, it's putting OP at risk, it did not ask for anyone's advice on how to deal with family members. And aren't we taught in nursing school not to be judgmental? What's with attacking the poor guy? I agree with previous posts that op should check if he comes up positive with a home drug test

The original question did ask for advice on how to deal with the family member. The second post by the OP then went on to say that he pretty much excuses the behavior, while at the same time not wanting to be around it, so it seems. Often, people add a number of details, and should one not want comments about the details, then one could leave them out. (ie: I am exposed to 2nd hand pot smoke. Could I test positive on a drug test?)

I am all for someone standing up for what they think is right. I am not so fond of grown men who partake in copious amounts of pot use without jobs or apparently lives and their peer pressure, I am too sexy for my cat, you are over-reacting bull.......most know the type. So at the end of the day, if someone said "yes, it happend to me, I tested positive and never have done pot in my life" the OP would still be making excuses on why he would continue to allow his relative to smoke a fat one in his car.

WITH ALL THAT BEING SAID.....adults can do as they choose, smoke what they want, have at it. I am not anti weed, for weed, not judging on weed. When it interferes with another's livelyhood, one gets comments about being "too uptight" etc. is where I have the issue. This nurse needs to stay strong to his beliefs and not be swayed by a relative.

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