I applied to go to a Psychiactric Trainee program and failed the pre drug screen for Marijuana. Before people make comments on why I smoked in the first place I have a medical recommendation due to my genetic illness. I am currently finding other ways to deal with my pain since nothing else has worked thus far. Anyways...
I haven't found out if this failed test disqualifies me for the Trainee program. Any advice?
I have another application for CNA but concerned about the time period between tests? Is this on file with the State?
Hmmm you asked if this would be problem in the future when applying to nursing schools? Um yea!!!
This problem is relatively simple, you have a prescription then your ok, if you don't then your not. I do recommend that you stop any drug use once you enter any healthcare position. I am sure the patients and families would appreciate it.
The active ingredient is available in a pill form (by prescription). There is no need to ingest 'raw' marijuana.
The therapeutically active ingredient, cannabidiol, is not available in pill form in the US. Marinol is available, although this is THC, not cannabidiol. There is little if any therapeutic benefit to THC. In Canada and Europe, Cannabidiol is used successfully to treat nausea, pain, poor appetite, and has also been shown to be effective for inhibiting breast cancer progression, and treating schizophrenia. THC on the other hand when given without cannabidiol can induce physchosis.
This is what happens when someone takes only THC (From a BBC documentary), it's not pleasant and makes it pretty clear why marinol isn't popular.
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
The active ingredient is available in a pill form (by prescription). There is no need to ingest 'raw' marijuana.
Marinol does not work quite the same as mj. For one thing, the patient can adjust the dose based on how much is eaten. With the pill form, what you get is what you get. I've had patients tell me that mj worked better than the pill form.
This was just my experience from working in hospice.
Having said that, I am not in favor of nurses smoking mj. It's still a federal offense.
I don't have 20/20 vision and don't b!ooooch and moan about not being a pilot.
If you were applying to a Police program I would feel the same way...
You smoke weed... you're disqualified. What, Make an exception? NOT
Have fun with that job that allows smoking weed. Healthcare isn't one of them. Try Starbucks.
Move along now. Nothing to see here.[/
You dont sound very sensitive. Marijuana may work for some when other medications don't. I think nurses should be allowed to use it as long as its not impairing their ability to work.
Those who use mj aren't the gold standard in knowing what constitutes "impaired". :)
Debating the issue with someone who uses enough to be horrified at being questioned re: impairment is pointless.
I want the person who has my life, my family member's life, my child's life in their hands to be free of any influential substance. I don't care if it is less impairing, the fact is that is does impair!
I am okay for it's use for some medicinal purposes- such as poor appetite in oncology patients. However, if you work in situations that requires immediate, advanced thinking skills- especially in acute situations- do not use any substance that could even possibly impact your ability to function at your best.
Ingested, smoked- doesn't matter. Do want to be on the plane with the pilot who is using, go under the knife with the surgeon, depend on the response of a police officer- even if they are all "less" impaired? Frankly, I hope that no hospital EVER sees this as an okay practice for its bedside staff, medicinal or not!
i agree. Im sorry everyone else that doesn't. I know we as nurses have the same rights as everyone else, but we have peoples lives in our hands. By all means, smoke pot, do whatever you want. but i would NOT want a nurse who was doing any substance abuse taking care of me or my family member. Think about it, your husband or your child is in the hospital and you found out their nurse smokes pot.
Even though it isn't as judgment impairing as most substances (i.e. cocaine and heroine) it still impairs judgement. It does do something to your body, which is why people still use it illegaly. if it did NOTHING to your body except control pain, it would be sold at walmart like Tylenol.
I don't care if a nurse is on it for medical purposes, i don't agree with it. I wouldn't want my nurse on marijuana. So yes, i will agree we as nurses have the right just as much as anybody else to use LEGAL marijuana. But when we chose to go into the healthcare profession, we took a vow to our patients to not do anything to impair our judgement when taking care of them. I will NOT drink the day before i work. My friends are all drinking..."Why arent you having one Jenni?" "I work in the morning. i better not." My job is VERY DIFFERENT from their jobs.
My friend packages boxes and sends them off, if she makes a mistake at her job the package just goes to the wrong place, no big deal.
One of my other friends is a waitress, if she makes a mistake, a customer gets the wrong food. Just get them a new plate of food, customer may be pi$$ed but its no big deal.
If i make a mistake, i could kill somebody. BIG DEAL!!!!
The therapeutically active ingredient, cannabidiol, is not available in pill form in the US. Marinol is available, although this is THC, not cannabidiol. There is little if any therapeutic benefit to THC. In Canada and Europe, Cannabidiol is used successfully to treat nausea, pain, poor appetite, and has also been shown to be effective for inhibiting breast cancer progression, and treating schizophrenia. THC on the other hand when given without cannabidiol can induce physchosis.
This is what happens when someone takes only THC (From a BBC documentary), it's not pleasant and makes it pretty clear why marinol isn't popular.
the beginning of this video made me LOL.. when she took the THC and cannabidiol together. hahaa...
I can't comment on this as in Oz we aren't allowed any MJ - you would be fined/have to go to court.
Anyway, my gf - a midwife - was in 2 serious MVAs/MTAs. She was on very strong painkillers like oxycodone and more. SHE USED TO DELIVER PEOPLE's BABIES WHILST ON ALL THESE DRUGS! I often used to think I should have reported her, but don't see her now. I sometimes wonder if she just got used to all the drugs & tolerated higher doses (God knows how much junk she was taking every day). I'm very sure if the mothers knew, they would have refused her as a midwife, but as far as I know she never told the nurses board.
Scary stuff.
And my BIL took MJ for years + other drugs (he was open re all this) & he is definitely a paranoid schizophrenic now, no doubt about it. There is no way I would touch the stuff myself, but OP sorry you have pain. Can you try other alternatives, like acupuncture or pain patches??
Kudos to Colorado, for the comparison of surgeons, pilots, and other "real important" professionals. You know the reality of our society; every time there is a bus, plane or train accident, who is the first person they look at? And what question will be asked (was he/she under any influence?).
Can someone who takes prescription pain meds work as a nurse? Sure they can, and probably do every day. But should they? If a colleague appeared to be under any sort of "influence", it would be prudent of us to inform someone, right?
Can someone who takes prescription pain meds work as a nurse? Sure they can, and probably do every day. But should they? If a colleague appeared to be under any sort of "influence", it would be prudent of us to inform someone, right?
that's pretty much my contention as well...
that, how many work while being on prescription drugs?
i don't think it affects all the same, but do believe some are indeed, affected.
or, taking cold medicine or a sleep aid the night before...
no one comes into work with that fuzzy, groggy hangover?
and speaking of hangovers or even feeling sick as a dog...
doesn't that affect our performance as well?
what i'm saying, is there are many factors that could affect our work.
i wouldn't want a true blue 'pothead' caring for me...
but if i found out that a nurse enjoys the occasional joint during his/her leisure time...
heck, even a joint/day...i have no qualms about it.
that doesn't mean i am endorsing this.
what i am saying, is there are a number of reasons why i might feel uncomfortable with a certain nurse caring for me/family...
with pot smoking, being lower on my priority list (again, unless s/he was a heavy duty toker).
DarkBluePhoenix
1,867 Posts
Hmmm you asked if this would be problem in the future when applying to nursing schools? Um yea!!!
This problem is relatively simple, you have a prescription then your ok, if you don't then your not. I do recommend that you stop any drug use once you enter any healthcare position. I am sure the patients and families would appreciate it.