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.

My school does urine test too. Does anyone know if hospitals are doing hair samples for drug screenings or just urine?

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Specializes in ER, PACU, Med-Surg, Hospice, LTC.
My director told me to bring all prescriptions and turn them in at the time of testing. Some people don't understand that even if you are prescribed and the meds are legal some schools require you to come off them. This seems really wrong considering it is a prescribed med from your doctor.

Are you serious? That is discriminatory, to say the least.

I can hear the school telling a soon-to-be student:

"Oh, we're sorry. You need to come off of your Phenobarbital now and must resume having seizures. If not, you cannot be admitted to school."

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Speeding is illegal as well. Guess you never ever speed because you are just the most law abiding citizen out there?

If it wasn't for people who stood up to our government, then we would be overrun with stupid laws like the illegal status of marijuana.

And of course people can destroy their lives with pot. Same with alcohol. The key here is MODERATION with each.

As for the terrorist thing, you've been watching way too many commercials. When you show me some actual proof to this (which is probably impossible because doubt these terroristic networks keep their data widely available for the public to view) maybe will I then give this one merit.

And, just for the record, I am not saying everyone go out and light up a joint everyday of your life. I don't even smoke anymore myself. Cleaned up awhile ago. But it's really not a terrible thing, as you say below Benya with your idea of policing it. :smokin:

:twocents:

I accidentally thanked this, however I could not disagree more. I have known people who wrecked their cars, destroyed their families and couldn't hold down a job because they were too busy getting high.

Legal is legal. Illegal is Illegal. If you want to smoke it move to Amsterdam. You can lose your liscense over this. Not to mention catch a nice case of lung cancer. Get a massage if you want to relax. My glass of wine is legal, BTW.

Now however I do think if we could police it, make sure it isnt used while driving and tax it maybe it would be better, but it's not.

Not to mention terrorist networks use drug money for funding......so I would hate to promote that. Unless of course ya grow your own!

This subject is about as contraversial as religion huh? :twocents:

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Specializes in Hospice.
Speeding is illegal as well. Guess you never ever speed because you are just the most law abiding citizen out there?

If it wasn't for people who stood up to our government, then we would be overrun with stupid laws like the illegal status of marijuana.

And of course people can destroy their lives with pot. Same with alcohol. The key here is MODERATION with each.

As for the terrorist thing, you've been watching way too many commercials. When you show me some actual proof to this (which is probably impossible because doubt these terroristic networks keep their data widely available for the public to view) maybe will I then give this one merit.

And, just for the record, I am not saying everyone go out and light up a joint everyday of your life. I don't even smoke anymore myself. Cleaned up awhile ago. But it's really not a terrible thing, as you say below Benya with your idea of policing it. :smokin:

:twocents:

Sorry, you won't be able to change my mind on this. You stand in my shoes as a child and wife and watch your family be destroyed by alcohol and drugs and then tell me my ideas are ridiculous.

The idea of "policing" marijuana if it is legalized BTW is an obvious outcome, much like alcohol and tobacco. I know it is one thing for someone to keep it at home rather than smoking out in the car driving down the road. I also want to say after thinking more about the subject I think that responsible adults could make their own decisions about the use of marijuana if it is legal. But, I also think that kids shouldn't have access to it as easily because they are not mature enough to use it in moderation. IF IT WAS LEGAL. I do realize that resources could be directed towards much bigger crimes and that we could make lots of tax dollars that could go towards education, etc. Like I said, it is very contraversial.

And yes, I try to follow the law since I have two little ones watching my every move and learning from me. Sorry if my thoughts don't seem well put together tonight........I am VERY tired!

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Specializes in Hospice.

Forgot to say most of the info I get is from relatively reliable sources. I don't watch commercials......I have a dvr.

Speeding is illegal as well. Guess you never ever speed because you are just the most law abiding citizen out there?

If it wasn't for people who stood up to our government, then we would be overrun with stupid laws like the illegal status of marijuana.

And of course people can destroy their lives with pot. Same with alcohol. The key here is MODERATION with each.

As for the terrorist thing, you've been watching way too many commercials. When you show me some actual proof to this (which is probably impossible because doubt these terroristic networks keep their data widely available for the public to view) maybe will I then give this one merit.

And, just for the record, I am not saying everyone go out and light up a joint everyday of your life. I don't even smoke anymore myself. Cleaned up awhile ago. But it's really not a terrible thing, as you say below Benya with your idea of policing it. :smokin:

:twocents:

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Specializes in Emergency Care.

I have been wee wee tested for my recent jobs, and am all good with it. I think it is fine to "weed" out applicants for jobs or the nursing program, but random testing is a little bit invasive. Back in the days before illegal spying, wiretapping, internet tracking, and general George Orwell moves in our society, an employer did not have the right to pee test you just for the heck of it. Now it is accepted as the norm. I'm not saying that nurses should be raiding the heroin jar at the hospital without some overview, but private lives need to be private lives as long as they don't affect your work. Working under the influence of alcohol, or any drug should be grounds for firing. Random pee test and stool analysis is overkill.

I don't use any drugs legal or otherwise. But that doesn't make thought or body policeing OK. What about people who eat too many deep fried twinkies? Alcoholics? Most drug testing is aimed at pot smokers. Most other drugs are out of your system in a day or two.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Medsurg.

We also had to do drug testing and it was "sprung" on us. We knew we had to do one but weren't given the "go-ahead" to do one until the week before school.

I had been a very responsible student and schedule a needle biopsy on my breast for the week before school started. Forced my surgeon to get it done with so I wouldn't miss school. The day following my surgery, I got the email about the drug screen. I also found out that even though i HAD a prescription for pain medication, it didn't matter. If I was positive, I was positive and that was it, I would be out of the program. My judgement would be impaired. I took only one pain med during my recovery time but I passed the drug screen. So just beware. I don't do illegal drugs and never, ever thought I would have to worry about a drug screen. Be aware of your school AND your clinical sites rules and regulations. Your prescription may not be allowed.

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Your prescription may not be allowed.

This concerns me. I am on meds for ADD, have a prescription, see my doctor every time I need a refill on them. I'm not doing anything illegal, but does this put me at risk for failing drug tests now?

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Specializes in nursing student.

I'm not sure about clinicals but I do know that all Hospitals require drug testing before hire. The program I am trying the get into does a background check but does not mention a drug test.

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Specializes in nursing student.
This concerns me. I am on meds for ADD, have a prescription, see my doctor every time I need a refill on them. I'm not doing anything illegal, but does this put me at risk for failing drug tests now?

I am on pain med and depression meds too. I can't stop taking my meds, I have a fusion of C6 and C7 and am in lots of pain at times. I hope this doesn't disqualify me from the program. I don't take the pain meds routinely, only if I am in extreme pain. :no:

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It really depends on your program. Some may require a drug test upon admission, some may not do them at all or some may "randomly" decide to do a drug test. At my school a drug test wasn't a requirement upon admission, just a physical, proof of BLS certification, up-to-date on immunizations/updated TB test and background check.

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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!

Thats a really short sighted statement. Personally, I think drug testing (not just in the health professions) is getting out of control. Obviously, if a person is at all under the influence when actually at work, he or she should be fired on the spot. Its another thing entirely if someone wants to smoke a joint on their day off. I'm sure that you (like most of the adult polulation) enjoy having a drink at least on occasion, so in a way, you yourself are doing drugs, too. You could argue that "oh, but its illegal!". But what real evidence is there that marijuana, for example, is any worse for you (or society in general) than alcohal. The reason it is even illegal at all in mostly politics, rather than being an actual danger to society. The fact is that someone who gets high on their day off is no more a danger to their patients than someone who drinks. Get off your moral high horse and quit passing undue judgement on other people.

That being said, most employers will usually have you sign something authorizing them to drug test you. Often times, you wont actually be tested very often, if at all. The fact remains, however, that one failed test could completely screw you over, so the best advice is not to even risk it in the first place.

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