Drug Testing for Newly Graduated RN

[ManNurse7]

I just graduated in May 2014 from nursing school and I am starting to apply for RN positions in Louisiana. After graduation I took a much deserved month off from school and studying for NCLEX to enjoy myself before i start the real world. I smoked marijuana countless times throughout the month and I know it is still in my system. My question is when I apply for a job and take a drug test, if i fail the drug screen will i lose my license even though i have never worked as a licensed RN? Please do not judge, I know it wasn't the smartest thing to do, thank you.

[duskyjewel]

Apparently you feel like posters with concerns / questions/ needs just need to "grow up".

Not all, but some.

Op is requesting information... not judgement.. You went past judgement to an assault on his character.

OP wants information on how to get around a drug test after indulging in recreational illegal substance use in full knowledge that that could cost them their license and their job. I expect more maturity from my ten year old. If you know the consequences of the choice and make it anyway, then you are choosing the consequences that come with it. Adults accept that and get on with it. Children panic and try to get out of it, without wanting to make the necessary changes that would help them avoid the problem. Which is why I said "grow up." Because adults are people who've learned to look ahead and evaluate the consequences of their choices before they make them.

[TU RN, DNP, CRNA]

There is a difference between drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day and telling someone to drink lots of water in order to pass a drug screen. Attempting to dilute down drug screens is a common trick and labs will often reject it if the specific gravity of the urine is very low.

Well if my original comment wasn't removed, you would see that I wasn't telling him to dilute, and that I was in fact telling him to "exercise and drink lots of water" as any quality healthcare provider might suggest to a member of the general public.

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

OK, so no judgement. You now realize that taking a month off to get stoned probably wasn't the best idea. Now you just need to deal with the consequences. Don't apply for work anywhere until you are positive it has been long enough that all traces are gone from your system, and please don't think that after you are able to pass pre-employment drug screens you are home free and can smoke all you want again.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Not all, but some.

OP wants information on how to get around a drug test after indulging in recreational illegal substance use in full knowledge that that could cost them their license and their job. I expect more maturity from my ten year old. If you know the consequences of the choice and make it anyway, then you are choosing the consequences that come with it. Adults accept that and get on with it. Children panic and try to get out of it, without wanting to make the necessary changes that would help them avoid the problem. Which is why I said "grow up." Because adults are people who've learned to look ahead and evaluate the consequences of their choices before they make them.

"My question is when I apply for a job and take a drug test, if i fail the drug screen will i lose my license even though i have never worked as a licensed RN?"

Have a lost my reading comprehension skills? Where did the OP request "information on how to get around a drug test'?

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Personally, I would not want a pothead for a nurse, legality aside.

Are you suggesting that a recreational marijuana user is a "pothead" ?

[klone, MSN, RN]

Having met a fair few in my life, I couldn't agree with you more.

Ah, the victorianism displayed in this thread. The reason why you don't know any responsible, upstanding, clean-cut white collar professionals who smoke marijuana is because they keep it a secret, not because they don't do it.

[VANurse2010]

Are you suggesting that a recreational marijuana user is a "pothead" ?

I'm suggesting that I would not want a recreational pot user as my nurse.

[klone, MSN, RN]

I'm suggesting that I would not want a recreational pot user as my nurse.

And what are your thoughts on nurses who are social drinkers?

[RNIBCLC]

Do we need popcorn for this thread ?

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Do we need popcorn for this thread ?

Thinking more like a nice glass of Chardonnay.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Thinking more like a nice glass of Chardonnay.

Already there, my friend.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

And what are your thoughts on nurses who are social drinkers?

Recreational booze, recreational pot.. what would be the difference?