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

"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"?

LMAO. @direw0lf, please dont talk about subjects you have little to no knowledge about.

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Specializes in NICU.
but wait until you're done with school so you don't completely mess up your future.

No, quit and don't smoke ever again. Waiting to restart smoking after she is done with school is gambling with your career. A nurse that smokes is one patient incident away from being drug tested, even though their mental state wasn't the cause of the patient incident. There are so many reasons that they could be random drug tested. Like ESME said, the BON does not have a sense of humor or leniency. If you don't believe it, go read the stories on the Recovery forum.

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I don't personally have a problem with those who use marijuana outside of work/clinicals.

Unfortunately that is not the case with schools, employers or the government. You have to play the game to first, get your license, and second, to keep it.

It would suck to get in school and make it close to graduation and lose all hopes of finishing due to a drug test. You can be tested randomly, or if meds go missing, etc. It's just not worth the risk. The same is true when you start working as a nurse.

This may sound harsh, but you honestly have to decide what is more important to you: being a nurse or using marijuana.

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I commend on your honesty. Idk how long you've been smoking it, but give yourself at least a month off form it. Best to work out and increase cardio.

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Specializes in Neuro.

Lord, everything you do has consequences, good & bad. Quit & have no worries, keep smoking & gamble with your future.

I could care less about marijuana, but c'mon, risk getting kicked out of school/clincal/future job? Priorities.

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Simplistic, with all due respect I think you are looking at this very simplistically.

I make no judgment on whether anyone should or shouldn't use marijuana. That is not the question before us, presented by the OP. The question is whether she should expect drug testing as part of her nursing program and the answer is YES, as well as the expectation that she will probably face drug testing as part of the employment process pretty much everywhere AND the expectation that if there is a random-testing policy in place (with suspicion only OR completely random) it can happen then, too.

Whether you think it's silly or stupid or unnecessary or anything else isn't the issue. The ISSUE is that any healthcare facility, any employer can ask for this testing and refusal to comply is reason enough to disqualify for the position, termination of employment or determination of dismissal from a school program.

Unless you are in a job where no matter what you aren't tested, and never leave that job and their policies never change, you should give up the drugs that will potentially harm your career, unless you're ok with losing it. Seems simple enough, right?

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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.

My school doesn't. We have a couple in our cohort who smoke.

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I was not drug tested until I obtained my 1st actual nursing position but that was 20 years ago and they have gone a little nuts on all things drug related in this country so I would not be surprised. Your best bet would be to quit so that you don't have to worry over this. I'm in California where it was recently legalized but not going to use it as I would feel conflicted as to being clean & sober but that's just me. If I were in your shoes I think I would err on the side of caution and quit and let it clear my system. They talk about THC having a half life of forever but look on wikipedia; unless you smoke an ounce a day, are overweight and don't drink water it will clear out.

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Only entity which ever tested me for nicotine was my life insurance carrier; I suppose they can but nicotine is a legal drug so I don't know why they would, I used to smoke and it is harder to kick than anything I ever encountered but it can be done.

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She did not say she smoked a gram before clinicals. It is possible they just take a toke or two after work which would really not be any different than people who have a glass of wine after work, the drug scheduling laws were written on a cocktail napkin I suspect and marijuana is not illegal in every state although it is illegal @ federal level. I would not give it a second thought if my nurse/doctor took a couple of hits of weed any more than I would if they drank a couple of glasses of wine if it were night before. I don't touch the stuff because I have a bad history with alcohol; lastly I don't recall the nursing student saying she 'smoked herself into oblivion' so where is that coming from?

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Specializes in Nephrology Home Therapies, Wound Care, Foot Care..

We had to test before being admitted, are subject to retesting at any time, although as I'm approaching graduation, that's never happened. Every hospital in our area drug tests on hiring as well. If there is ever an "incident", we can also be required to test on the spot. And really, think about it, do you want someone with pot in their system in charge of giving you m ER F's, hanging your IV, assessing your condition?

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Only entity which ever tested me for nicotine was my life insurance carrier; I suppose they can but nicotine is a legal drug so I don't know why they would, I used to smoke and it is harder to kick than anything I ever encountered but it can be done.

For life insurance, a lot of it depends on your current health - insuring a smoker is way different from insuring a non-smoker, in terms of risk of illnesses that could crop up. I think premiums are cheaper for non-smokers too, so it makes sense that the insurance agency wants to know if the person they are insuring is being honest about their medical history.

Unsure of how many companies do this though, as I'm still relatively new to insurance policies Stateside- I could ask my mother in law though, she sold premiums through Colonial for a couple of years.

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