Pre employment drug testing in Washington state. Urine or hair test?? Providence.

[kate_l_]

Hi, I recently graduated from nursing school and am taking my NCLEX next week. I've started applying for jobs and the two places I'm most interested in working at are Providence hospital and Swedish hospital, both in WA state.

During nursing school I sometimes smoked marijuana 1-2 times a week to help with insomnia. Marijuana is legal in Washington state, but I know that as a nurse I won't be able to smoke. I stopped smoking about a month and a half ago so I could pass a pre-employment drug screen and don't plan on smoking again.

I was doing some research just to be sure that would be enough time and I started seeing a bunch of articles about hair testing and have begun to panic...from what I've read hair testing usually goes back 90 days but can potentially go back even further.

Basically my question is, does anyone know what kind of pre-employment drug testing they do at Providence and Swedish hospitals in WA state? I'm worried that if they do hair testing I won't be able to even attempt to get hired there.

I know marijuana isn't recognized federally as being legal and that it's not something acceptable in the nursing profession. I've never cared for patients after smoking and never would, so please don't judge me for this post...I haven't been able to sleep for the last week and haven't been able to find any information about what drug testing they do at these hospitals and any advice would be a huge weight off my shoulders.

Thanks in advance for reading this and responding. Also, sorry if this isn't the best topic for this post to be under.

[CCL RN, RN]

Neither. No drug tests for where I work

What can they do anyway? It's legal after all.

[wsuRN09]

Providence requires a urine test where I work.

[tinpuppy]

Kate: What happened with the drug screen? Was it urine or hair? I received an offer from Providence as well and am a rare recreational marijuana user. I'd pass the urine test no problem. But I've no idea about the hair test. Thanks much

BTW all: The fact that marijuana is legal has no bearing on whether an employeer can screen/hire for usage. Big learn for me.

[tyvin, BSN, RN]

Weed is only legal by the state. The federal government doesn't recognize it, therefore many places won't hire if THC +. OSHA, health insurance, workmens comp, and any malpractice insurance you may have will not pay out if positive (more than likely). That's what happens if something happens when you're working or in an accident; the first thing the facility will do is drug test you.

Weed impairs the memory; why would you want to risk that?

As for getting it out of your system; THC resides in the adipose tissue and it's hard to get out if you were/are a chronic user. Fluid and exercise is how to move it along. There are inexpensive THC urine screens on Amazon and other places if you're really worried and want to see the results (both 50 and 20's).

I am a for weed in cases of pain and other injuries but not when the person has a job that entails them to be sharp. It can't happen if you're a stoner.

Testing hair is too expensive, unless your going to be an astronaut...

[RiskManager]

I did risk management, patient safety and compliance as an executive at Providence Corporate in Renton. The standard pre-employment drug screening for Providence facilities is a urine test. Be advised that the Washington Supreme Court has ruled that an employer can fire for an employee using marijuana, even on their own time, and even if for a medical purpose. After you start working, if you ever test positive in a random or for-cause screening, expect to be discharged immediately.

[runnergirl86, BSN, MSN]

Providence was by urine drug screens in 2009. They also did random urine drug screenings.