Drug Testing: After being accepted

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Hello All!

I was recently accepted into a nursing program. I was wondering about your experience with the drug testing portion. I have smoked weed and I have been prescribed sleep aids for anxiety/insomnia for ten years (same medication, same dosage). In addition, I injured myself at work in 2014, while I did not have health insurance, and a family member gave me hydrocondine for the pain-- I only took the pills for about two days because, well.. opiates block you up. If you were wondering, I did not file worker's comp because my company neglected to inform me that I could do so and swayed away from informing me of my rights.. This is an industry I am looking forward to getting out of.. I digress..

I was reading that this college may take various forms of sampling (i.e. urine, blood, hair..), but only will conduct UA's, blood, and hair follicle tests if there is any suspicion after acceptance, while in your clinical classes. I have posted something on here before about WHEN a drug test prior to and after acceptance, Question is: what is the required drug testing protocol for acceptance into an accelerated nursing program? I have been weed-free for five months now, but I do take my sleep aids [periodically] before bed ONLY. I've never abused them and usually take half the prescribe dosage. Opinions aside, what has your experience been with taking a drug screen PRIOR to starting your program? Was your drug test a urine, hair, or blood test? And if it was a hair follicle test , would you need to provide documentation of the prescribe medications you've taken? Did they specifically test the concentration after the test came back positive? I hope this makes sense.

And again, opinions aside. I am drug free and will continue to be.

Thank you for your time!

FN

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Took a pee test... All the people in my class (some that are active smokers) passed and continue to pass periodic tests. Just be smart because theses are people's lives you are dealing with in the work force...

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Urine, screened for 10 items. We were offered a choice of 3 different companies, and each had up to 5 different sites.

We went when we wanted, just had to be handed in by a certain date.

. I don't think I've ever heard of a nursing school doing hair follicle!

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Mine was urine. Just be upfront about prescribed meds you're taking so they know ahead of time and don't pull you into the office. I'm prescribed methylphenidate and I just gave written notice (doctor's note) to the school office

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Mine was a urine drug screen. My suggestion is to stop ALL medications (and of course pot) that you do not have an Rx for. If you pass this drug screen but fail another you are out of the program. You will still owe all of the debt that you have accrued without any benefit. Not to mention this could have an impact if you ever did receive a license, it may have stipulations on it, which makes it harder to find a job, and is VERY expensive.

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We did a urine test and had random drug screening throughout the program. The guy would just show up at the school and call a bunch of random people.

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Thank you for your help!!

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

I am confused...are you prescribed the "sleep aid"? If you are then why are you concerned? If you have a valid prescription you are good. If you do not then you are not good.

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Don't worry about others opinions. From my experience they did not require drug screening prior to starting my nursing program. I was only drug tested once before my pediatric clinical and it was urine. They told me my drug test was good for only 1 year. They made us pay $30.00 for it. Although in our nursing student handbook, it stated that we could be drug tested at any time by reason of suspicion. More people smoke than we realize. When I was in nursing school I would do it over winter break and over the summer. When it was time for my practicum I stopped completely. Enjoy it now, because when you become a RN, your name will go to the board. If it's prescribed, don't worry about anything.

What I found helped me for insomnia and anxiety (in my last semester was yoga). I wish I would've tried it sooner. ;)

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Newbiee RN,BSN said:
Don't worry about others opinions. From my experience they did not require drug screening prior to starting my nursing program. I was only drug tested once before my pediatric clinical and it was urine. They told me my drug test was good for only 1 year. They made us pay $30.00 for it. Although in our nursing student handbook, it stated that we could be drug tested at any time by reason of suspicion. More people smoke than we realize. When I was in nursing school I would do it over winter break and over the summer. When it was time for my practicum I stopped completely. Enjoy it now, because when you become a RN, your name will go to the board. If it's prescribed, don't worry about anything.

What I found helped me for insomnia and anxiety (in my last semester was yoga). I wish I would've tried it sooner. ;)

The advice given here is irresponsible. Just because others get high without getting caught, doesn't mean you'll get as lucky. Having a positive drug screen as a student can have real consequences for you. Do what you want, but it doesn't make sense to risk it to me.

I guess I'm just being mature and responsible - popular opinion or not.

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Newbiee RN,BSN said:
Don't worry about others opinions.

Except yours, right?

OP, it's unlikely you'll have anything but a urine test.

My D was hired in a different industry for a paid internship last summer. I was very surprised they did hair follicle tests. So was one of her friends. He failed the screen and lost his internship. My D made 12K in that internship for two months of work, PLUS got 4K in living allowances. She's very glad she didn't have to worry about her drug screen, though she was very taken aback at the hair test. As for her salary, Lol, I'm in the wrong industry when someone who really doesn't know much of anything can make that kind of money for a temporary summer job. Oh well.

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