Drug testing?

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I was thinking about going into nursing and I was just wondering if drug testing is a requirement. It doesn't say anything on the sheet, only a background check and physical. The physical sheet says i need titers, hep b, and recommended tetorifice, thats all.

Even though it doesn't say anything about testing, I was thinking surely they test you before you go into clinicals. Is this always the case or no? Thanks.

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I don't know about ALL programs around the country, but my school didn't mention anything about a drug test until like the first week in school and then said everyone had 3 days to complete one. Mentality being that the test was supposed to be "spur of the moment". Anyway that's how my school did it.

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Specializes in Neuro.

Yes, my school made us do that along with the background check. We had 2 weeks to get it done to be accepted. They said that it takes about a month for the drugs to get out of your system, so even with people waiting until the last minute, it still would show up. And if they didn't get the results done within the two week time period, they were denied their spot.

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Specializes in LTC/Skilled Care/Rehab.

We had to do a drug test, but we didn't have a certain amount of time it had to be done in.

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Specializes in ER/Ortho.

My school does make you take a drug screen prior to acceptance. In addition, I believe nurses are required to take random drug screens whenever their hospital requests it.

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People that are not doing illegal drugs, should never fear of a drug test.

I don't even ask what a company's policy is on it...it doesn't concern me in the least because they aren't going to find anything.

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Specializes in NICU.

Considering that I do not take any kind of illegal drugs, this never crossed my mind.

I just got a packet in the mail about 2 weeks ago that had a drug screening paper in there.

I went as soon as I could to take the urine test. The sooner, the better. One less thing to worry about doing later. Nothing is going to change for me.

I would think that it will happen sooner or later pertaining to nursing school and drug screenings.

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Not something I've thought about either. I guess my thought is I don't do any drugs, so I don't have to worry about it...test me the first day of class...I don't care!!!

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Specializes in Neuro.

Just like the above posters said, if you don't do the drugs, you have no worries!! Pass me the cup, I'll go whenever you want me to!! No worries there!! :lol2:

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It's not just nursing, any career can be jeopardized. A neighbor of mine was recently turned down for an accounting job because of a drug test...It was kinda funny because she's the neighborhood complainer/self-appointed landscaping police/goody-two-shoes, not so much now that this news got around LOL

I'm sure you can count on there being a test upon admittance and randomly throughout school and your nursing career.

If you are worried, stop smoking the pot or whatever.. It's that simple. If you try to "time it out right" you will eventually get caught.

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And just as an addition, I did just verify that yes, my school drug tests. Got a list of immunizations and that was on it as well.

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I think drug testing should only be used if the person is suspected to be using. I am on medications for narclepsy which was diagnosed over 10 years ago. I prefer that my medical business be kept private as I have had a couple of jobs reject my application using the excuse that I might not be able to stay alert. I am on desoxyn and provigil. These drugs are amphetamines. These drugs test positive for amp. and meth.

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