Background check/drug screen before clinicals

WDWpixieRN, RN · Jul 10, 2006

Yep....background check, a family registry check (?) to see if you'd ever been convicted of any kind of abuse or whatever for nursing home/daycare employment, and the drug test.

That's never mind the physical, vaccinations, shopping, stressing, whatever that needs to be done by 8/21!!

ARGH!!!

shock-me-sane · Jul 10, 2006

Will a person be denied if they take medication for anxiety? That is my only worry as far as that is concerned??

no. just make sure if you have to do a drug test that you let them know what you are on. i would also bring the bottle so they can see the prescription just to be safe.

my school only required a background check. no drug tests which i thought was weird.

LeahSusan · Jul 11, 2006

The school I go to doesn't require a background check or a drug test. However, one of my clinical sites did require a background check. I think it would be a great idea for all nursing programs to require a background check for every student before they get accepted. Last semester we had an issue with one of our classmates. She did not have to get a background check and the state police ended up picking her up at school b/c she was wanted in another state. So yeah, I think it's a good idea.

darlanow · Jul 11, 2006

For my program (Regis, Denver CO), not only was a background check required, but a physical and, of course, those immunization cards. Since I was born in the dark ages before parents kept such tidy records, I've had to do a bit of sleuth work, along with some titres and booster shots. At least it was entertaining for my doctor - "Oooh, we usually see these on the 18 year olds..." (She and I are of similar age and have a bantering relationship, so it was all in fun.) She also asked if I'd be needing a summer camp physical :lol2:

I also love the fact that I've been through 4 PPD (TB screens) in the past year - CNA and EMT programs, nursing school, and a volunteer spot at the hospital have each required one that was not more than 90 days old and I seem to get there on day 92...

Darla

firstyearstudent · Jul 11, 2006

Yeah, our school just sent a letter saying that we may have a drug screen. I just don't understand it. I mean, someone would only be a danger if they were on drugs (high) during clinicals and 1) the test isn't going to tell you that and 2) I would think it would be obvious to the clinical instructor and/or staff RNs.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Jul 11, 2006

My school requires a state background check and a child abuse clearance. Also, for people like myself who is from out of state, they require a FBI background check.

That's interesting. I'm attending school out of state and all they wanted was the same state background check.

Miss Calculation · Jul 11, 2006

Our school is now requiring background checks--which I think is a good thing. This came on the heels of the resp. therapist and nurse at Children's Hospital (San Diego) who were caught molesting and photographing their critically ill patients. It doesn't get any sicker than that.

RANCH GIRL · Jul 11, 2006

Hi Miss Calculation - I also live in San Diego County and the thought went through my head that perhaps this new policy had something to do with what happened at Children's Hospital, because we also will be having clinical rotations there. Did you see in my original post that all instructors have to have a background check/drug screen too?

emllpn2006 · Jul 11, 2006

At the school I attended a federal back gound check that cost 25.00 along with a drug test that cost 35.00 was required as part of the application process. These all had to be paid out of pocket before you knew who would be accepted I personally thought this was a little extreme since over 400 people paid for these and only 35 of those were selected to attend class.

iToniai · Jul 11, 2006

That's interesting. I'm attending school out of state and all they wanted was the same state background check.

Yeah, it doesn't make any sense to me either. I figure if you're cleared in the state that the school is in everything should be fine but my school doesn't see it that way. If I lived in state but had an offense in another state, they would never know about it, since it's not required for an in state resident to have a FBI check. I'm actually still waiting for the FBI clearence it's been over 8 weeks since I requested it and they still have not mailed it to me which is holding me up

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Jul 11, 2006

Did you see in my original post that all instructors have to have a background check/drug screen too?

As virtually all (or at least 95-99%) instructors have worked as nurses, still work as nurses, and will be working somewhat as the charge for the students, it makes sense.

But given that most jobs will require drug screens, and background checks, better to eliminate those that will not be able to work as nurses now...before they spend the time and money getting a degree and then, surprise, are not able to practice.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Jul 11, 2006

At the school I attended a federal back gound check that cost 25.00 along with a drug test that cost 35.00 was required as part of the application process. These all had to be paid out of pocket before you knew who would be accepted I personally thought this was a little extreme since over 400 people paid for these and only 35 of those were selected to attend class.

Given the amounts of money that other professionals have to spend in pursuit of their school, it is not that extreme.

In some places, they choose those for the program, and test before clinicals. This makes little sense, as they have students pay tuition, book fees, and supplies, and then knock some out on the screens. That means someone that could have gotten in that class didn't, or gets in late. If they screen before hand, it saves everyone a lot of trouble and worry.

As far as paying the extra fees, nursing classes are substantially more expensive to run than say, accounting/math/english. They require more expensive equipment, more one on one teaching. It is natural and expected that there are extra fees involved. And $60.00 is not that expensive for a drug screen and a background check.