Drug Testing At Hospitals

KellieNurse06 · Jul 21, 2006

On another note....not to change the subject...but my bf was talking to me because of the nurses we have had in our house in the past, some were obviously nutcases, one was a crackhead & I never even knew it until afterwards when she was fired by me for something not even relevant to do with drugs or anything, more of an overstepping of bounds on her part.....he had a valid point ...if many other jobs do psychiatric testing why doesn't nursing??? He told me fire fighters do it, he had to do it on his job (police) and tons of other jobs that deal with the public like this.....it had me thinking myself also...why don't they? I have seen my share of whack jobs that have come to interview/orient for home care at our home as nurses and it was pretty eye opening to say the least...doesn't make them "bad people" so to speak ..just not playing with a full deck there... any thoughts? :uhoh3:

Warpster · Jul 21, 2006

I can certainly see drug testing for cause like odd behavior changes, absenteeism, and poor job performance. I resent and thankfully have never been subjected to a random drug test as a corporate fishing expedition.

I think the line is quite clear between an appropriate use of testing and an infringement of personal rights.

As for the procedure, a test really doesn't have to be observed and humiliating. A surprise test on an employee can be performed with a standard cup in a stall in a real bathroom. Cheating requires foreknowledge. Urine osmo will tell if water's been scooped out of the bowl to dilute the urine in the cup.

I've worked with two nurses who were tested for cause and several others who were tested when the narc count was off that day. This is entirely appropriate. If they changed the completely humiliating nature of the procedure it would never be that big a deal and would be accepted as part of protecting patients from fallible staff who run into trouble like anybody else.

testikleez · Jul 21, 2006

If a RN gets tested with and fails due to marijuana use, will he get terminated? Or a warning?

honeyz · Jul 22, 2006

i was randomly chosen for a urine test. quiet oh me.. yet the loud nurses and aides that look like there high on something NOT! hmmm i wonder.. was it cause i'm hispanic?? lots of discrimination going on.. :idea:

Sodie, BSN, RN · Jul 22, 2006

traumaRUs said:
Not silly at all. I was also in the Navy and I can remember even doing drug test when I was pregnant -LOL. However, as an RN, I have done one drug test (pre-employment physical) once in the 14 years I've been a nurse. However, your employer can do random drug tests for cause - if you are acting strange, if you have med errors, if there is a reason. Good luck in school.

We have to do one when we are hired and it may be required at any random time. I believe that there is going to be a day that the testing will be more regular. We also have the right to test students if there is a question or suspicion or if there are drugs missing. Students sign a release before beginning clinicals that they will submit if requested for whatever reason. Now, we haven't tested any, it's a just in case clause. However, I have heard of some hospitals in my state starting to require testing prior to clinicals. Criminal Background checks are being required on all students as well becasue our accredidation standards states that whatever is required of the employees, the same requiremnets have to apply to students that function in some of the same role as employees.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Jul 22, 2006

testikleez said:
If a RN gets tested with and fails due to marijuana use, will he get terminated? Or a warning?

As marijuana is ILLEGAL, unless you can produce a script....I would say that you will probably get terminated in most cases....as well as your name turned over to the BON.

Happy2Beme · Jul 22, 2006

I don't do any illegal drugs and drink zero alcohol. But I think drug testing is an invasion of privacy and also really stupid, because it doesn't really prove a whole lot.

I would much rather work with nurses who smoke MJ occasionally than alcohol abusers who think it's ok to "party" till they puke, then come in to work with a big hangover. :nono:

Talk about impaired:uhoh21:

And how bout those addicted to nicotine that everytime you turn around, (usually when one of their patient's need them), they're gone to smoke a ciggy:angryfire

testikleez · Jul 23, 2006

Happy2Beme said:
I don't do any illegal drugs and drink zero alcohol. But I think drug testing is an invasion of privacy and also really stupid, because it doesn't really prove a whole lot.
I would much rather work with nurses who smoke MJ occasionally than alcohol abusers who think it's OK to "party" till they puke, then come in to work with a big hangover.
Talk about impaired:uhoh21:
And how bout those addicted to nicotine that everytime you turn around, (usually when one of their patient's need them), they're gone to smoke a ciggy:angryfire

Yeah I agree. a nurse who smokes weed a couple times a week isn't a risk for their patients. Alcoholic or cigarette addicted nurses are liabilities to the patient.

KellNY, RN · Jul 23, 2006

caroladybelle said:
As marijuana is ILLEGAL, unless you can produce a script....I would say that you will probably get terminated in most cases....as well as your name turned over to the BON.

You'd be surprised. Many places will allow you a retest, to confirm that it was not a fluke at the lab, false pos, etc.

I worked at a lab that did urine tox's. We had plenty repeats.

Kelly

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2006

Happy2Beme said:
I would much rather work with nurses who smoke MJ occasionally than alcohol abusers who think it's OK to "party" till they puke, then come in to work with a big hangover.
Talk about impaired:uhoh21:
And how bout those addicted to nicotine that everytime you turn around, (usually when one of their patient's need them), they're gone to smoke a ciggy:angryfire

I personally would rather not work with MJ smoker OR the alcohol abuser, and wonder why it is considered an either/or situation, rather than a not at all situation.

It is also irrelevant because most drug screens that I have had, have screened for alcohol as well as the illegal substances.

There has also been talk of smokefree workplaces screening for nicotine, but I have never been tested for that. Not that it would matter.

KellNY, RN · Jul 23, 2006

See--but that's the thing. How do you know you don't work with someone who smokes mj? They're not gonna be all upfront about it because of the attitudes expressed on this board.

I know some very intelligent, very smart, very caring, wonderful nurses, truly assests to the field. And I know some not so great things they do on their time (drinking, partying all night, smoking mj, sleeping around). You'd never know they were "black sheep" working with them.

ANnot4me · Jul 23, 2006

I have had to take many drug tests and have always passed. But maybe that doesn't go far enough. Nurses should be subjected to credit checks, blood tests to determine alcohol use, psychological testing, testing for domestic abuse, assessment of stress levels, blood testing for nicotine, asssessment for sleep disorders, random home visits, fatigue testing and assessment for religious finaticism. All of these things and more can cloud your judgement and impair your ability to care for a patient. I would rather have a nurse who smoked a joint two days ago than one who was up all night fighting with his/her partner or was on their 15th hour of a double shift. I would rather have a nurse who took an Xanax yesterday then one who drank atwo bottles of wine yesterday. I would rather have a nurse who had the worst credit in the world than one who was working at full speed for 10 hours without a break.

I am being extreme here, but i hope it makes a point.