Drug Testing At Hospitals

Nurses General Nursing

Updated:   Published

Hi, I was just wondering if nurses have to take random drug tests for illegal drugs? Don't worry, I'm not a druggie nursing student I was just wondering. We had to do them all the time in the Navy. Thanks.

Specializes in NA, Stepdown, L&D, Trauma ICU, ER.
KellNY said:

(I'm also of the apparently unpopular mindset that if a nurse smokes MJ occasionally on her days off, that is also no one elses business--as long as it's not affecting her job performance, but that's beside the point)

I'm with ya! It's nobody's business what we do outside of work on our days off. Now, being impaired at work is another story. Nurses are too important in the outcomes of their patients to come to work in anything other than top form, regardless of the cause.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
KellNY said:
Excuse me, but maybe they're taking legally prescribed drugs that they are uncomfortable with their employer knowing about.

Maybe they take a Xanax before bed every once in a while because they get anxiety attacks after working a full unit. Maybe they have a bad back from lifting too many patients without enough staff to assist and were prescribed Percocet or Norco. And you know what--that's no one elses business, really.

(I'm also of the apparently unpopular mindset that if a nurse smokes MJ occasionally on her days off, that is also no one elses business--as long as it's not affecting her job performance, but that's beside the point)

FTR, I don't take/do anything at this point in my life that would show up on any drug screen, but I would be opposed to taking one. (probably not opposed enough that I'd lose my job for it, LOL, but opposed enough that if I were to choose between being employed at a hospital that does drug testing vs. one that doesn't--all other areas equal--I'd go to the non drug testing facility)

No nurse should smoke MJ under any circumstances, at any time. This is just basic personal health, nevermind the felony that will cost you everything.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in High Risk In Patient OB/GYN.
Jack39 said:
No nurse should smoke MJ under any circumstances, at any time. This is just basic personal health, nevermind the felony that will cost you everything.

Actually, it's not a felony, but that's really beside the point. Nurses smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol. MJ smoked 2 weeks ago on my vacation in Cancun isn't going to effect me hanging an ampicillin now as won't the mojitos I had there. (Lets get really silly and say I went to Amsterdam where it was perfectly legal for me to toke up) But really, this is OT, and I shouldn't have brought it up. Oh well.

Dorimar, I know that you can declair your prescription use before hand, but as I've stated, I don't think it's anyones business that I took a Xanax last week because my father died (made up scenario). There is still a large stigma attached to mental health issues, including anxiety. *YES* (and I'm tired of spelling this out) it is their business if I come in buzzed, or foggy, or groggy, etc. But if I come in, able to do my job, then it's no problem.

ANY employee that comes in unable to perform basic duties or who seems under the influence should be reported and evaluated before being allowed to work-period.

kelly

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

First of all, your employer wants to know everything about you these days. Besides a drug test (which I can understand) they also want to run a credit check. This tells them your mortgage payment, your department store payments,ect. Really, corp America is out of control.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have no problem with drug testing at all.....I think if you aren't doing anything then what's the problem...you have nothing to hide...right???? Usually from what I have seen/heard in the past..is that the people who get all bent out of shape are the ones who do have something to hide however they use the excuse of it's a violation of their personal rights blah blah blah.....What anyone does on their own personal time is their business I absolutely agree 100% but you have to put yourself in the other persons place (the person you are caring for, or the employer you work for). Lots of places do testing now with hair...they will take 3 patches off your head in various spots...down to the scalp & can tell if anything has been used months ago.....they will take hair from anywhere if they want to ......what's the old saying.....people who have nothing to hide hide nothing???

I was at a hospital last year in the er and a truck driver had gotten into an accident....the isurance company rep was there in the er with the guy to do drug testing..and the guy hadn't even gotten into the back yet to see the dr.

So basically pretty much for those who do smoke pot or whatever meds they take for various problems.....it is their business yes BUT the drug test will detect those things so it really doesn't matter why as far as they care..it's just the fact it showed up......I personally don't do any of that stuff..and I would never risk my job for it either...it's not worth it. And for meds that are prescribed..if you are legitimately taking them for a reason then there is no reason to be worried about what anyone thinks as long as you aren't impaired & can work safely. Just mpo :rolleyes:

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.
HARRN2b said:
First of all, your employer wants to know everything about you these days. Besides a drug test (which I can understand) they also want to run a credit check. This tells them your mortgage payment, your department store payments,ect. Really, corp America is out of control.

Please correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that credit checks are only done if you will be working in a position that involves handling money.

T

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
L&Dsomeday said:
Please correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that credit checks are only done if you will be working in a position that involves handling money.

T

I recently heard on the television news that credit checks are becoming more common place in the hiring process regardless of the position or profession involved.

It was explained that a credit score tells a lot about a person's ability to manage his/her resources and the ability to make good decisions.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Actual event: An anonymous complaint came in to our facility about a nurse being overheard to say" Don't worry, I have some Demerol left". Administration requested she take a drug screen which she did and it came back positive for benzo's. She takes an occasional Ambien or Lunesta for sleep and a herbal diet aid. When the drug screen went to an outside lab for verification, Serax showed up. She is now facing BON sanctions. There was no investigation by our facility except for checking narc records which did not have her name on them anywhere and there was only ONE injection of Demerol given the entire weekend.

Moral of the story: Don't take anything with valerian root and St. John's Wort in it.:(

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, Education.

Jerseyboy,

The US government is not knocking on your door and demanding you take a drug test, are they? That indeed would be a violation of your 4th amendment rights. You are working in a profession where "the risk to public safety is substantial and real" to quote your site. When you choose to work at a place that has a drug free policy and declares they drug test, then your rights are not being violated.

Nurses have access to all kinds of controlled substances. Also, this is a job where one's judgment must remain unaltered (ciritical thinking, life and death situations, calculations , etc) I've worked with nurses who'v been caught stealing narcs and are now in the State board programs that moniter them (their lisences NOT removed) . It is much more prevalent than any of you suspect (obvioulsy from these posts).

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Education, Acute, Med/Surg, Tele, etc.

I have had randoms, and no biggie to me...I don't use drugs even Rx at this time or at the time so I have no probelm!

However, if I was to need a pain med or something that would turn up on a UA, I simply alert the tester to the use of these medications and typically I will bring in the Rx bottle or lable to prove it. My hubby does this as well.

My biggest fear was when I was working as a volunteer medic at concerts. Fun as heck, but let me tell ya...walking around at certain concerts, even outdoors, could give you a good buzz LOL!!!!! That is when I feared random UA's...but the company I worked with would stand behind me if a UA popped pos for pot, hazard of the job (I tended to go to more outdoor concerts for this reason...but wow...you can get quite a contact from indoor or outdoor events!).

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.
TriageRN_34 said:
My biggest fear was when I was working as a volunteer medic at concerts. Fun as heck, but let me tell ya...walking around at certain concerts, even outdoors, could give you a good buzz LOL!!! That is when I feared random UA's...but the company I worked with would stand behind me if a UA popped pos for pot, hazard of the job (I tended to go to more outdoor concerts for this reason...but WOW!...you can get quite a contact from indoor or outdoor events!).

My husband didn't believe in contact highs until he was 18 and went to a Sublime concert at a tiny little club in Chicago. He said he walked out of there pleasantly stoned without touching the stuff to his lips once. Of course, this was a band whose songs were almost always about drugs...

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, Family Practice, Free Clinics.
L&Dsomeday said:
Please correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that credit checks are only done if you will be working in a position that involves handling money.

T

Not true. I am a nursing student starting school in the fall and a job shadowing/externship program. I had to submit to drug testing, background, AND credit checks :angryfire. My car payment is none of thier business!

Also, I don't mind "for cause" drug screens, but random checks create this feeling of mistrust. I also wouldn't feel as funny about it if they did saliva or blood testing. Urine screening when you aren't even under suspicion is just degrading. Why would anyone think it is okay to treat thier employees in such a disrespectful manner? I'd like to see the chairman of the board of some big hospital have to come and pee in front of me!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment