Drug Testing At Hospitals

KellNY, RN · Aug 1, 2006

Amen to that, max!

And newmom, just because they do pre-employment and "random" drug testing doesn't mean the nurse next to you isn't high off her butt. I know a few people who know that they can just abstain from whatever it is they do for X amount of time before they'll be drug tested. Benzos and narcs don't stay in your system like MJ does...Neither does (i believe) crack. As far as I know, ecstacy doesnt show up at all, although I could be wrong. Most places don't test for ETOH.

There are also ways of cheating the system--some of which I know, some of which I'll never understand--and even more ways if the person collecting the urine isn't testing specific gravity as well as temperature.

malka · Aug 1, 2006

We are nurses and we are suppose to be concerned about good health,. etc. I was told by someone at work that at least one of the fired for testing positive for drugs, was then sent to a rehab and counseling to restore. Haven't heard of that in my LTC facility for a long time. Has anyone had that kind of happening where they work?

bonesrn · Aug 1, 2006

If you have a prescription for the Xanax or Percocet then it is a non-issue. The screen would not be reported as positive to your employer so again, why refuse unless you have something to hide. Would you want a nurse who refused a drug test taking care of you or your family?

southern_rn_brat · Aug 1, 2006

This is probably the wrong thread to say this on but I am so excited I just had to share! I am 2 years 5 months and 7 days clean and sober and today my narcotic restrictions were lifted!

so I have to say THANK GOD FOR DRUG TESTING!

Have a blessed day yall

quinnila · Aug 1, 2006

As part of my employee physical a drug test using a hair sample was done. I may also be required to submit urine samples if asked.

Plagueis · Aug 1, 2006

bonesrn said:
If you have a prescription for the Xanax or Percocet then it is a non-issue. The screen would not be reported as positive to your employer so again, why refuse unless you have something to hide. Would you want a nurse who refused a drug test taking care of you or your family?

I can understand why some people, especially those who aren't using illegal drugs, would not want to submit to random drug screenings. It's a privacy issue to them. I know: if they aren't using drugs, then why should they mind? Maybe they don't want their employer to know that they are on antidepressants or birth control pills, or other prescription drugs. I know that "patient safety" is cited as the reason for the screenings ( my workplace tested before hiring, but afterwards they don't do random tests), but then I hear of hospitals where nurses were tested, but not doctors, unit clerks, or other hospital workers. Why were they exempt? I don't know how accurate drug screenings are, but I keep reading that drug tests are not the solution to determine whether someone is 100 percent drug-free. Can't people cheat and decide to go off drugs when it is testing time, but start up again after? I know that random testing is supposed to prevent this by surprising the nurse with no advance warning of the test, but say someone passes, but then starts using after the test. When is the next test: a year later? Also, if safety is so important, then EVERY nurse (plus EVERY hospital worker)

should be tested, not just the random checking of one nurse every couple of months. I can understand if there is some evidence of drug use, and that this policy is given to nurses BEFORE they are hired so they can decide whether or not to work at a hospital. I just think that it is revealing that some hospitals don't test every single worker for drugs (since other workers are around patients, as well), but just single out nurses. And this thing about credit checks for nurses? What is that about? Do places that do use those checks really think that someone who is late on a student loan/mortgage payment will be a bad nurse?

busyernurse, BSN, RN · Aug 1, 2006

Comment to southern rn brat!! Congrats to you on your clean time! From one recovering addict to another, I know how happy you were to get those privledges back. With me, it was receiving those papers that I could see "the light at the end of the tunnel", so to speak, that one day I would be nursing w/ out restrictions. My husband is also a nurse, and we both have been clean and sober for 8 years. Good luck, and we will keep you in our prayers that you progress in your recovery. God bless, and if you need to vent or talk, we're here for you!:yelclap:

KellieNurse06 · Aug 2, 2006

Jack39 said:
I stand corrected, I think it's a felony for possessing over a certian amount. I have to agree with you, in principle, on this subject; however, the social climate in our country will burn people at the stake that are in positions of public trust that use recreational drugs (except for politicians....funny enough). It's just not a good idea that will lead to potentially HUGE trouble. I do understand your point though.

My bf is a police officer....a felony is only something that you've gone away to prison for such as assault & battery, murder, possesion of drugs...and yes over a certain amount..If they get arrested and then go to jail just until they get bailed out for something like drunken driving it's not a felony unless of course someone got killed in an accident that included DWI...

Lots of professional people in respected positions use drugs/drink... I used to have a boyfriend about 10 years ago that was a music teacher in middle school age kids and he was a huge huge pot smoker..it blew my mind......I don't smoke pot but he was a major stoner......and if it was ever known I am sure he would of definetly lost his license to teach....this was actually why we split up..I had no use for a stoner :nono:

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Aug 2, 2006

Many 'professional' people use drugs. My introduction to drugs was when my State Farm agent came over with policy papers for me to sign. I had just turned 21 and was obtaining my own policies. We were in my apartment, I turned around after signing the papers and this insurance agent gave me this dumb grin and held out a joint chanting, "LIKE A GOOD NEIGHBOR, STATE FARM IS THERE...WANT A DOOBIE?"

max1x · Aug 2, 2006

When was the last time anyone saw employers random drug testing doctors or pharmacists? Drug abuse among those professions is just as common as with nurses. Most MDs and pharmacists would likely never tolerate such an insult as random drug testing. As nurses, we are expected to take what ever crap comes our way.

Mississippi_RN · Aug 6, 2006

multicollinarity said:
Many 'professional' people use drugs. My introduction to drugs was when my State Farm agent came over with policy papers for me to sign. I had just turned 21 and was obtaining my own policies. We were in my apartment, I turned around after signing the papers and this insurance agent gave me this dumb grin and held out a joint chanting, "LIKE A GOOD NEIGHBOR, STATE FARM IS THERE...WANT A DOOBIE?"

:uhoh21: ...no way. He didn't.

[bANANA]LOL[/bANANA]

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Aug 7, 2006

max1x said:
When was the last time anyone saw employers random drug testing doctors or pharmacists? Drug abuse among those professions is just as common as with nurses. Most MDs and pharmacists would likely never tolerate such an insult as random drug testing. As nurses, we are expected to take what ever crap comes our way.

As I previously posted, these groups DO get tested like employees, if they are employees of the hospital like nurses are. As MDs are rarely given access to the pyxis, they are unlikely to be involved in a drug discrepancy that initiates that random, after employment screens. And as most MDs are not hospital employees and are independant or in a group where they govern themselves, this would natural not apply. Though for those in certain high malpractice specialties, sometimes they are for insurance purposes.

And those pharmacists that work for hospitals and with major "drug-free" store pharmacies do often get screened.

And currently, the majority of interns/residents and many PharmD students are drug tested. And/or must sign a waiver to be tested.