Drug Testing for Newly Graduated RN

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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.

Specializes in ICU.

I guess there are people in this thread that wouldn't want me as a nurse either... I tend to do something illegal every single day and I have gotten caught doing it at least once a year. I just got my 6th speeding ticket two weeks ago. I have been let off twice with warnings, or it would have been my 8th. Sounds like I am just as bad as the OP because I knowingly, willfully, participate in an illegal activity that could cost me my (driver's) license, and could potentially cause me to lose my job as well because I would not have transportation.

Hang in there, OP, most of us break the law willingly in at least one way. Not all of us are perfect rule followers. Just hang out for a while before you continue to interview and you should be fine.

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.
No, Washington and/or Colorado.

Ah - gotcha. Sorry about that.

Anne, RNC

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Specializes in tele, stepdown/PCU, med/surg.

While I agree it is foolish that the OP smoked marijuana at all, I believe that most employers will just obviously not hire the person. I don't think they report to the Board. Why would they if every single nursing job requires drug testing? If they test positive then they don't get the job.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
While I agree it is foolish that the OP smoked marijuana at all, I believe that most employers will just obviously not hire the person. I don't think they report to the Board. Why would they if every single nursing job requires drug testing? If they test positive then they don't get the job.

If the employer is a mandated reporter (and many nurse recruiters are nurses and thus mandated reporters), then a positive for illicit drug screen in a licensed professional must be reported to the board of nursing in addition to rejecting the applicant for employment.

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Specializes in ICU, Geriatrics, Float Pool.

Oh, I see. "It's bad because it's illegal, and you're a bad person for doing illegal things." And then "It's illegal because it's probably bad." That's circular logic. Research does not support the assertion that cannabis is in any way worse than perfectly legal drugs, neither does history. Cannabis is safer than and causes way less harm than alcohol and tobacco (I wonder how many people castigating pot users have a few drinks now and then). In fact, cannabis helps many people with various disorders and illnesses - a quality neither alcohol nor tobacco have and yet they're legal. So let's see: drug with no fatal/overtly harmful side effects = morally corrupt and bad. Drugs causing millions of deaths and accidents and cancers = fine.

At this point, I'd like to note that I do not smoke pot. It's just irritating how many people have no idea why they hate/disapprove of things they don't understand and haven't researched just because that's how it's always been in their lifetime. That said, I highly recommend not smoking pot if you don't want to lose your job, especially in the healthcare field.

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Order some cheap drug tests from amazon/ebay and test yourself weekly until you're clean. And lay off the ganja. Use this time to pick up a healthy habit that won't jeopardize your future.

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Specializes in Maternity.
Oh, I see. "It's bad because it's illegal, and you're a bad person for doing illegal things." And then "It's illegal because it's probably bad." That's circular logic. Research does not support the assertion that cannabis is in any way worse than perfectly legal drugs, neither does history. Cannabis is safer than and causes way less harm than alcohol and tobacco (I wonder how many people castigating pot users have a few drinks now and then). In fact, cannabis helps many people with various disorders and illnesses - a quality neither alcohol nor tobacco have and yet they're legal. So let's see: drug with no fatal/overtly harmful side effects = morally corrupt and bad. Drugs causing millions of deaths and accidents and cancers = fine.

At this point, I'd like to note that I do not smoke pot. It's just irritating how many people have no idea why they hate/disapprove of things they don't understand and haven't researched just because that's how it's always been in their lifetime. That said, I highly recommend not smoking pot if you don't want to lose your job, especially in the healthcare field.

While I agree with the statements about other drugs are maybe more dangerous. I don't think there is circular logic here. It's someone's opinion if they think pot is bad and they are entitled to that opinion. It's still against federal law in all states. Using pot is breaking the law whether you agree with this law is irrelevant. Many people may and often do feel that breaking the law is either a sign poor judgement or is a sign that this person may not follow rules or respect authority. The debate about whether pot is less dangerous than other chemicals is moot in this thread. It's currently illegal and as a nurse it means you get fired and possibly will lose your license. If people want to smoke pot, go right ahead, it's your life but if you want to practice as a nurse there are standards, rules and yes..being free of of all potential mind altering chemicals is a requirement. We owe that to our profession and our patients.

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In my State of residence, if I wish to drive or ride in a motor vehicle, I must be wearing a seatbelt. It is not optional, it is the law. Regardless of anyone's viewpoint on whether it SHOULD be a law, it IS the law, and breaking that law has consequences.

Additionally, if I wish to drive or ride on a motorcycle, I must wear a helmet. It doesn't matter whether or not I like that law, it IS a law. And breaking that law has legal (if not medical) consequences.

A professed disagreement with the writing of the law is completely irrelevant.

So why all the back-and-forth about obeying a law against using illegal substances? Who cares whether you think more people die from a legal substance that can also be abused? As my grandpa used to say, "what does any of that have to do with the price of rice in China?"

Break the law, expect consequences from those who enforce it. Truly a simple concept to master.

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Specializes in Maternity.
In my State of residence, if I wish to drive or ride in a motor vehicle, I must be wearing a seatbelt. It is not optional, it is the law. Regardless of anyone's viewpoint on whether it SHOULD be a law, it IS the law, and breaking that law has consequences.

Additionally, if I wish to drive or ride on a motorcycle, I must wear a helmet. It doesn't matter whether or not I like that law, it IS a law. And breaking that law has legal (if not medical) consequences.

A professed disagreement with the writing of the law is completely irrelevant.

So why all the back-and-forth about obeying a law against using illegal substances? Who cares whether you think more people die from a legal substance that can also be abused? As my grandpa used to say, "what does any of that have to do with the price of rice in China?"

Break the law, expect consequences from those who enforce it. Truly a simple concept to master.

Exactly. ;)

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Is being high on pot harder to notice then say being drunk? There are other things out there more dangerous then pot I am sure, including alcohol. but pot is still danerous to be on and at the same time doing an important job of looking after someones well being. Also am I wrong to assume that if you smoke pot and then drive you are just as dangerous as a drunk driver?

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I'm glad to be Canadian! I've never had to submit to the indignity of a drug test, nor am I aware of any clinicians at hospitals here being required to do so routinely (unless reported for a specific drug-related issue).

I think if I was registered with the Louisiana BON I would advocate for changes in those rules, which seem unusually harsh. Do MDs or PTs have to send in a urine routinely? Do they have their practice and reputation jeopardized over a bit of weed? And honestly, if Louisiana is a place which such an awful drug problem that people have to be constantly tested then I would consider moving to another state.

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I

I think if I was registered with the Louisiana BON I would advocate for changes in those rules, which seem unusually harsh. Do MDs or PTs have to send in a urine routinely? Do they have their practice and reputation jeopardized over a bit of weed? And honestly, if Louisiana is a place which such an awful drug problem that people have to be constantly tested then I would consider moving to another state.

Many employers throughout the United States require pre-employment drug testing, not just Louisiana.

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