Drug Testing

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Aug 4, 2015

Of course my career is more important. I just love getting the reactions of some of these people. However, I do wonder if Colorado nurses can smoke or still face hospital policy. If you're not doing it on the job...

I live in California. CA nurses caught with a positive UDS for THC can and do face disciplinary action from both employers AND the BRN, even if they're holding a medical marijuana card in hand. I imagine that Colorado isn't much different.

Just because the drug is legalized in the state doesn't mean that employers and boards of nursing have to look the other way and ignore its use.

TexRN, BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2015

What if the hospital were to not allow their employees to drink alcohol? In my opinion, a much worse substance than marijuana. At what point does it become a violation of a person's rights to forbid something that is legal to do in the first place? I would think as long as you're not drunk or high on duty and you're a competent safe employee, what business is it of theirs?

Jensmom7, BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2015

Other than at hire, the only random urine screen I was ever tapped to do was scheduled the week after we were told that Corporate was closing our branch office.

Guess what I "forgot" to get done?? ðŸ˜‡

level1 · Aug 5, 2015

What if the hospital were to not allow their employees to drink alcohol? In my opinion, a much worse substance than marijuana. At what point does it become a violation of a person's rights to forbid something that is legal to do in the first place? I would think as long as you're not drunk or high on duty and you're a competent safe employee, what business is it of theirs?

Exactly! I can't believe that one comment about the hospital banning smoking for its employees. I really hate how organizations are telling people how to live their lives off the clock. At work, I uphold my responsibility to demonstrate professionalism and advocacy for a healthy lifestyle, but when I'm at home doing my own thing no one tells me what to do. (except my girl, I guess) I don't smoke, but I can't even begin to imagine if people started telling me that I couldn't enjoy my craft beer.

Glycerine82, LPN · Aug 5, 2015

Every semester

studentnurse9806 · Aug 5, 2015

Tested once because the hospital where I was doing clinical required it

kalycat, BSN, RN · Aug 5, 2015

I'm in WA and we were tested every semester despite legalization. The University made it clear that legal or not, you could be tested for it, it was not allowed on campus, nor was it allowed in Uni owned housing, both on and off campus. My employer also still tests for marijuana per policy. Testing positive during the pre employment screen would bar you from employment. This is a non profit hospital and sets policy just like any other employer in the State. The DOT and other public agencies have also released similar statements regarding their employment policies. Hope that clarifies.

studentnurse9806 · Aug 5, 2015

So can you take prescription meds such as opiates and benzos and still work as nurse???

kalycat, BSN, RN · Aug 5, 2015

So can you take prescription meds such as opiates and benzos and still work as nurse???

The short answer is yes. You can't be impaired. Policies vary as do state regulations. My employer's policy is that if you provide a valid prescription to the contracted lab performing the testing, then that test is reported as clean. If there is a suspicion that you're impaired on the job, other issues come in to play. Your personal health records are private and this organization and state respects that, but your ability to practice safely is tantamount. Marijuana is not provided with the same protection whether prescribed or not. My understanding is that this is an issue stemming from federal marijuana laws.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Aug 5, 2015

This topic comes up every few months, with some people writing that no one should be able to dictate what another person can do in their off-duty time (legal or illegal).....some people writing that as long as it's legal it's nobody's business what anyone does......some people writing that an employer should have the right to dictate that their employees not engage in certain risky behaviors that might endanger someone else when they ARE on duty....and on and on.

People justify use of ETOH, marijuana, tobacco, narcotics to fit in with their own personal belief systems, and that's all hunky-dory, EXCEPT when it comes to hitting The Employment Wall: your opinions on what should or should not be permitted, what should or should not be legal, is utterly irrelevant. People will post anecdotes about how So-and-So was completely wasted at work because of activity engaged in while off-duty. People will post about how So-and-So was the very best nurse anyone has ever seen, despite regular drug /ETOH use. Whatever.

The bottom line is that whatever the law is in the State you work (or Federal law, if you are a Federal employee) is what you have to deal with.....AND you have to deal with whatever your employer's policies are if you intend to stay an employee. That's really all there is to it, isn't there?

You might think a law is stupid; I'd suggest you work to change it, if it's of importance to you. But as long as it IS a law, failure to abide by it means you are willing to accept whatever consequences arise for that failure.

edmia, BSN, RN · Aug 5, 2015

This is now in flux actually. CO companies are facing a few law suits for firing people who tested positive but who were not impaired at work. This is unfortunately the nature of a urine tox screen as it doesn't tell you when the person used marijuana, just that it is present in the urine. It doesn't measure impairment.

Some companies have implemented impairment testing, which is a more accurate measure of an employee's current mental ability.

We shall see what happens as more states legalize.

Btw, I've only been tested pre-employment. Never randomly. Actually, I was not required to have a screening for any of my 4 clinical sites at NP school. Just realized that.

Sent from my iPhone -- blame all errors on spellcheck

neuron · Aug 5, 2015

Is a nursing career for you? If you can't give you're all to your pts. and risk patient safety by some sort of alternative behavior/disobedience, then working in a place where people are sick may not be for you. You have to be pretty alert and wholehearted to be a nurse as far as the patients being satisfied. I pass medication and I would not even think of doing a drug diversion, or participate in an alternative lifestyle where I put my job on the line. Should a drug test be taken and the BON notified, they would take you by the ear and throw you out with what I've read.