Drug testing in Nursing Programs? (Anoka Ramsey CC)

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Hi all,

I got accepted into the nursing program at Anoka-Ramsey Community college and I smoke marijuana. I am curious to see if they drug test before clinicals or even before the program starts. If they do drug test, I want to stop smoking right away so that I don't get kicked out.

Thanks all

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Just quit right now...your employer will test you. If your school doesn't be sure your clinical site does.

I am so confused....you are going into a profession that requires you complete attention to detail at ALL times and ANY delay or error can cost someone their life and you want to know about drug testing because you smoke an illegal substance. Before you go all out singing the praises of marijuana....I am a child of the seventies....Nuff said?

If your mother, brother, lover/wife/husband, child was critically ill do you want someone who smoked themselves to oblivion making life or death decisions?

Just quit now.

Just quit right now...your employer will test you. If your school doesn't be sure your clinical site does.

I am so confused....you are going into a profession that requires you complete attention to detail at ALL times and ANY delay or error can cost someone their life and you want to know about drug testing because you smoke an illegal substance. Before you go all out singing the praises of marijuana....I am a child of the seventies....Nuff said?

If your mother, brother, lover/wife/husband, child was critically ill do you want someone who smoked themselves to oblivion making life or death decisions?

Just quit now.

Seriously? Thats a bit harsh.. Smoking in your off time has NOTHING to do with your ability to be a good nurse.

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Seriously? Thats a bit harsh.. Smoking in your off time has NOTHING to do with your ability to be a good nurse.
It might sound harsh...but it is the truth. There are many who felt that same way and it led them to BON discipline and drug monitoring programs as well as a restricted license. These programs are expensive, time consuming, and career altering.

Trust me there is NO! nursing shortage. Hospitals are performing drug testing upon hire and many will test the students before they allow them on the premises for clinical. They are not hiring regular smokers as they test for nicotine. Don't delude yourself that they will empathize with those who smoke marijuana.

The BON does NOT have a sense of humor.

The OP is an adult and I am sure can make their own decision. My advice...quit now.

Very bizarre that someone mentioned a school did a random drug test. Normally they only do those types of things if something warrants it (suspicion). Most schools require drug testing before the first semester.

I mean...if the OP continues to smoke, chances are high that someone on the staff full of nurses would raise an eyebrow at some point.

Specializes in Psych.

They will test you, and they may randomly test you (my school did because of suspicions of several students). I'd quit now and drink lots of water! (not to condone marijuana use) It IS possible to be a functioning member of society (a nurse, even! Hell, I know doctors that smoke at home!), but wait until you're done with school so you don't completely mess up your future.

Hey, I'm gonna go ahead and hijack this thread for a moment. Does anyone know if nursing schools test for nicotine? I know many hospitals will test employees for insurance reasons, but I haven't heard much about how nursing schools handle it. I use an e-cig so it's not like I smell, but I most likely have nicotine in my body. Also, does anyone know what the tests are like (urine, saliva, hair)? I have no problem quitting if necessary, but I understand that hair can show substance uses from long ago.

Seriously? Thats a bit harsh.. Smoking in your off time has NOTHING to do with your ability to be a good nurse.

Yes it does:

Developmental Switch in Spike Timing-Dependent Plasticity and Cannabinoid-Dependent Reorganization of the Thalamocortical Projection in the Barrel Cortex | Journal of Neuroscience

Or put in other words, weed kills neurons and leads to cognitive dysfunction.

Obviously weed causes impairment, but it's not like alcohol is great for your brain either. I'm not trying to justify the usage of either, I just find it hypocritical for so many nurses to vilify marijuana but still drink alcohol on a regular basis. I think both should be allowed so long as it has no effect on work. That being said, because it's illegal and nursing schools and hospitals don't care how it affect the original poster personally, it's best to just avoid marijuana usage in this profession either way.

Obviously weed causes impairment, but it's not like alcohol is great for your brain either. I'm not trying to justify the usage of either, I just find it hypocritical for so many nurses to vilify marijuana but still drink alcohol on a regular basis. I think both should be allowed so long as it has no effect on work. That being said, because it's illegal and nursing schools and hospitals don't care how it affect the original poster personally, it's best to just avoid marijuana usage in this profession either way.

You summed this up perfectly.

Obviously weed causes impairment, but it's not like alcohol is great for your brain either. I'm not trying to justify the usage of either, I just find it hypocritical for so many nurses to vilify marijuana but still drink alcohol on a regular basis. I think both should be allowed so long as it has no effect on work. That being said, because it's illegal and nursing schools and hospitals don't care how it affect the original poster personally, it's best to just avoid marijuana usage in this profession either way.

Well I'm a student not a nurse (just for the record I don't myself drink because I don't like it) but the difference is that unless you are a binge drinker or other form of alcoholism, 1-2 regular drinks isn't harmful long term to most people, whereas 1-2 regular "sticks" does cause cog impairment. Maybe I'm ignorant, but I don't want a nurse I know smokes weed on a regular basis. There's many bad nurses who don't smoke weed though aren't there. I just wanted to point out that there is a valid reason to "vilify"marijuana to some people.

Specializes in Psych.
Obviously weed causes impairment, but it's not like alcohol is great for your brain either. I'm not trying to justify the usage of either, I just find it hypocritical for so many nurses to vilify marijuana but still drink alcohol on a regular basis. I think both should be allowed so long as it has no effect on work. That being said, because it's illegal and nursing schools and hospitals don't care how it affect the original poster personally, it's best to just avoid marijuana usage in this profession either way.

AGREED.

Specializes in Psych.

"Well I'm a student not a nurse (just for the record I don't myself drink because I don't like it) but the difference is that unless you are a binge drinker or other form of alcoholism, 1-2 regular drinks isn't harmful long term to most people, whereas 1-2 regular "sticks" does cause cog impairment. Maybe I'm ignorant, but I don't want a nurse I know smokes weed on a regular basis. There's many bad nurses who don't smoke weed though aren't there. I just wanted to point out that there is a valid reason to "vilify"marijuana to some people."

What is a "stick"?

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