Drug test

My school requires a drug screen. Where do you think is the cheapest place to get this done? Also, how long does it take to get the results? I just realized I need to get this done and school starts next Monday - yikes!

What about any lab in your area? I am unsure of the cost but some are cheaper than others. :)

[hikernurse]

I don't know about costs, but our results were supposed to be back to the nursing dept. by the next day (and we took them at the end of the day), so I think they turn them around pretty quickly.

you may want to try calling the department and see if they have a contract with a local lab. My school sent info in the mail that told us where we had to go for our testing.

Good luck in school!!

Shouldn't the school be doing this at their own expense?

z

Shouldn't the school be doing this at their own expense?

z

We had to pay for ours but everyone was told in advance how much it would be.

We had to pay for ours but everyone was told in advance how much it would be.

I wouldn't pay. They want it? They can pay for it.

z

[hikernurse]

Shouldn't the school be doing this at their own expense?

z

I think they should, but ours sure didn't. I think it was $40-50 and we had to pay cash. We all had to have ours done at the same place; but the lab people came to orientation so at least we didn't have to make a special trip.

I think they should, but ours sure didn't. I think it was $40-50 and we had to pay cash. We all had to have ours done at the same place; but the lab people came to orientation so at least we didn't have to make a special trip.

hiker - were you told they were coming? I am disturbed by reports that new nursing students aren't given information about drug screens and then they show up and suprise - pee in the cup.

[crb613, BSN, RN]

hiker - were you told they were coming? I am disturbed by reports that new nursing students aren't given information about drug screens and then they show up and suprise - pee in the cup.

We had no advance notice....the director said field trip, we loaded up in the school van & off we went.

We had no advance notice....the director said field trip, we loaded up in the school van & off we went.

crb - first of all, Rock Chalk Jayhawk - KU > UK

Second of all - that sucks - I can understand if there is a suspected problem - but to pee test students with no warning if there are no issues is just facist, IMO. Were you at least told there would be random UAs? Or was it completley out of the blue?

[mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP]

We had 24 hours from the day we receieved notification from school to have our drug test done and completed and in the mail to the school. We went to where the hospital does their outpatient lab work and had it done there, it was $15. I think the turn around time was 72 hours or so (they sent it off to an outside lab).

[crb613, BSN, RN]

crb - first of all, Rock Chalk Jayhawk - KU > UK

Second of all - that sucks - I can understand if there is a suspected problem - but to pee test students with no warning if there are no issues is just facist, IMO. Were you at least told there would be random UAs? Or was it completley out of the blue?

Nope I don't ever remember being told we would have one. I did not have a problem with it & had thought we probally would at some time.Our orientation is Fri. so I am going to see if it is mentioned. BTW cats love birds!:smiley_ab

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

I wouldn't pay. They want it? They can pay for it.

Sorry, but no.

It is a cost of going to school for nursing. Like your physical and your titers.

Some places are requiring fingerprint checks. As in if the hospitals in the area require drug tests and/or fingerprints, the students that will be doing clinical in the facility will have the same requirement.

Thus it is generally the facility requirements not the school.

And in some cases it may be required by the school's/facility's liability/malpractice coverage.

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

Second of all - that sucks - I can understand if there is a suspected problem - but to pee test students with no warning if there are no issues is just facist, IMO. Were you at least told there would be random UAs? Or was it completley out of the blue?

I hate to burst your bubble...but in virtually every facility that I have worked in six different states, peeing in cup is part of the drill.

And most schools have little riders attached to admission to the College/University that you will obey the law and may be kicked out for not obeying the law. And using nonprescribed/illegal meds is against the law.

If you have a problem with proving that you are always clean of drugs, this is not a very good career field to get into.

Sorry, but no.

It is a cost of going to school for nursing. Like your physical and your titers.

Some places are requiring fingerprint checks. As in if the hospitals in the area require drug tests and/or fingerprints, the students that will be doing clinical in the facility will have the same requirement.

Thus it is generally the facility requirements not the school.

And in some cases it may be required by the school's/facility's liability/malpractice coverage.

Not sure what you're saying sorry but no for........ :chuckle

Up here....every blood test is paid for by the school. Hep....varicella....and if there was a drug test...that too. Even the N95 mask is paid for.

Drug tests at the hospital or LTC are paid for.

Z

"If you have a problem with proving that you are always clean of drugs, this is not a very good career field to get into."

Yes -well when you go for a job at a facility you are told ahead of time that it is a drug-free work place, or hiring is dependent on a clean ua. Once you're hired you are told about policies for when UAs are done. If nursing schools put the same info. out there ahead of time- great. I don't have a problem proving I am always clean of drugs, this isn't about me, but rather an atmosphere and respect for people's integrity. I understand and support the need for UAs for nurses and nursing students, but I believe everyone deserves information about their bodily fluids being collected and screened - even if it is just "acceptance into this program is dependent on the ability to pass random, unannounced UAs" in the student handbook or application, etc.

If it's required, the school should be paying for it. I would think they would want it done at a specific lab of their choice also?

[hikernurse]

hiker - were you told they were coming? I am disturbed by reports that new nursing students aren't given information about drug screens and then they show up and suprise - pee in the cup.

We were told that a drug test would be required but the date would be announced later. On the first day of orientation we were told that we had three days to complete the test but that the lab would be there the next day if we didn't want to drive across town to take it. I wish they had told us we had to pay in cash--no checks; fortunately, I had the money, but not all the students did.

I guess some of the hospitals (but not nursing homes) require the drug test prior to clinicals.

[wonderbee, BSN, RN]

I don't understand why students don't see the need to take responsibility for paying for drug testing. The school wants it because the patients you will be working on are entitled to a drug free student nurse and you are working on your instructor's license. You are going to benefit by the degree or diploma. Why should the school pay for it? It's the cost of an education like books, tuition, uniforms, etc. Later on, when working at a facility, the employer will pick up the tab for the pre-employment physical and drug testing, but you're not there yet.

Go to your family doctor or one of those free standing independent walk-in clinics if you have concerns about privacy.