Background check/drug screen before clinicals

Lesli61 · Jul 11, 2006

Yep, two state background checks, criminal and child abuse ($10 each), and drug screen (free but must be done at the hospital). Also required were antibody titers for Rubella, Ruboela, and Varicella. The Titers were very expensive! (about 350 bucks). Let's see... physical with tetorifice booster, followed by hep B vaccines (required) was another couple hundred bucks. And of course we have the 'nurse pack', uniforms, shoes, wrist watch with a second hand, and about $1000 worth of books, plus a big wheeled bag to carry them in.

I feel like I'm doing one of those credit card commercials. The punch line will be 'taking care of my first patient ... priceless!':w00t:

RANCH GIRL · Jul 11, 2006

'taking care of my first patient ... priceless!':w00t:

Couldn't agree more!

ms mimi · Jul 11, 2006

yes my school drug tests, and we have to have fingerprints done before we can go into any clinical facility. i am glad they are drug testing because i wouldn't want a drug user as my nurse, they dont belong in the field.

love2beanurse · Jul 11, 2006

yes my school required this. It will also randomly drug test everyone in the program throughout the whole program.

loriangel14, RN · Jul 12, 2006

We had to get a $25 police check and that's all.No drug screen in the whole program.

Nurse-To-Be-Joy · Jul 12, 2006

At my school, once we get accepted or put on the alternate list, we must get our fingerprint clearance card and a drug screen and turn in the results by Aug. 10. If we don't, we are automatically dropped and will have to reapply.

81ke83 · Jul 12, 2006

When we receive our acceptance letter for the nursing program it is tenative until the background check is complete. We have to have all our immunizations up to date, physical, tb test, CPR card. The first thing we turned in is the background check. If it comes back without any problems then we are eligible to start in August. If it doesn't there are some forms you can file with the state and some things they will wave. We also had to have a background check when we did the CNA program, same thing. Our school doesn't check every semester, I think it is the first and the third semester. :uhoh3:

Ruylupez · Jul 13, 2006

When I started nursing school no background check/drug screen was required. One hospital did a drug screen on anyone doing clinicals there but that was it.

During the summer break between first and second year we were informed the rules had changed and we were required to pay for a background check and drug screening before attending clinicals the next semester.

Then we had to pay for another background check in order to take the NCLEX and I recently had to pay for a THIRD background check when I applied for a license by reciprocity in a neighboring state where I am now working.

By applying to work as a nurse you are asking for access to some medications that are illegal to have without a prescription so I understand they want to make sure your not in the habit of popping those pills yourself.

Three background checks in less than three years does seem a little excessive but sometimes you just gotta jump through the hoops they put before you to get to your desired destination.