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.

Specializes in ER/Ortho.

My mom files medical insurance and has to take random drug tests, and my teenage son had to take one for a part time position at the krogers. I think now days its just a part of life. If you want to hold a job your just not going to be able to do drugs.

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Specializes in CNA; LPN Student.

Stop doing drugs and you'll have nothing to worry about.

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My school sent us the letter five or six days before the physical, which included the drug test. I don't do drugs so it really didn't matter to me!!

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I am going into the pre-req's for LPN. I have migraine's. I take alot of OTC pain relivers and I take topamax and triptan's. like 3 years ago I took a drug test for walmart and failed the test because some of the med's can show upp as heroin, I think it was heroin. I was so angry at them that they wouldn't take into consideration my meds. I don't do drugs and now I am terrified that I could be turned down because of my legal meds.

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I am going into the pre-req's for LPN. I have migraine's. I take alot of OTC pain relivers and I take topamax and triptan's. like 3 years ago I took a drug test for walmart and failed the test because some of the med's can show upp as heroin, I think it was heroin. I was so angry at them that they wouldn't take into consideration my meds. I don't do drugs and now I am terrified that I could be turned down because of my legal meds.

I think as long as you have proof that you are on medication and it will cause certain outcomes, they should accept that - I don't see why they wouldn't. But I'm not positive.

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Specializes in ER/Ortho.

Hair tie,

I have heard of that happening. If that happens again don't let it go. I would take all of my OTC drugs to them and show them. You might also be able to go to someone who knows these tests and get a letter that such and such drug comes out in a drug test as such such. I always try to heal myself if I have a cold or minor thing before going to the doctor, and I have used OTC herbal remedies from the grocery store, GNC etc that have flat out said on the bottle they may alter drug tests. I would take the bottle and show them. Because obviously they are looking for street drugs that mess you up not vitamins to help fight a cold. lol

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While it is true that certain medications will provide a positive drug screening (wellbutrin,valium,xanax,ativan, klonopin etc...such a long list), I see no reason why any provided medical documentation showing a valid prescription, would not be accepted. For others, who may be using illegal drugs...just stop so you have nothing to fear. Though I am not promoting this, I know more than one person who claims to have gone to GNC or some such place, and gotten something that they drink for such and such amt of days, and pass their drug screen.

As others have said---I am not on medication (thankfully) nor do I use drugs of any kind...so no worries here. Also, yes, there are certain OTC drugs which will provide a positive result (VICKS forumula 44,Advil and such).For my current position at the state forensic hospital, it asked us right there some question like "have you taken any over the counter medication in the past blah blah amt of days" then you list them out. So...a person testing positive, as long as they WERE TRUTHFUL and put down they have used OTC advil the past 2 days for mentrual pain--they would be fine when the test showed that. if it showed that.

I disagree that all they are looking for is street drugs. There is a huge number of people who are addicted to PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION. That would be the people addicted to their pain killers (Tylenol #3), their Ativan/Xanax/Klonopin/sleeping medications etc. We must keep in mind that not all drugs are sold on the streets like crack cocaine and such. More than one physician is out there pushing pills that should have been either discontinued LONG AGO (after the pain should reasonably disipated) or should NEVER have been prescribed in the first place (as in, written for a friend of a friend who just needed a hook up and paid for it etc).

Good luck.

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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.

You do realize that it discrimination don't you?

That is a bona-fide disability, and by the fact that they actually gave that to you as a reason, that was illegal.

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I am going into the pre-req's for LPN. I have migraine's. I take alot of OTC pain relivers and I take topamax and triptan's. like 3 years ago I took a drug test for walmart and failed the test because some of the med's can show upp as heroin, I think it was heroin. I was so angry at them that they wouldn't take into consideration my meds. I don't do drugs and now I am terrified that I could be turned down because of my legal meds.

That was a bad drug test...they should have asked you if you were taking any medications, and by law, if you have a prescription, they cannot use that medication as grounds for not giving you a job.

I get migraines too and have some narcotic meds that I have limited prescriptions for (only 5 pills at a time). These are really to prevent me from going to the ER in the event of a bad migraine. I have always disclosed these up front as soon as the drug test is mentioned, and I always bring the bottles to the interview so they can see that they are current, and they are to me.

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Alcohol is about 24hrs. Also, weight/sex/metabolism rate etc...all play a role in how soon detection will end (LOL, once it is metabolized):lol2:

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Hmm...

Mike,

Are you doing drugs?

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Hmm...

Mike,

Are you doing drugs?

I'm sorry, but that made me giggle. :lol2:

One thing I have to say is even though I know there are people in the health care profession who more than likely are doing drugs, that really disgusts me...in some instances, you are dealing with life/death situations, and even if not life/death - you have someone else's life in your hands. It really is not a laughing matter. I wouldn't want you as my nurse if you are doing drugs, that's for sure! Just remember that when your doing what your doing...your affecting more than just yourself!! Very selfish in my opinion!

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