Do Nurse Practitioners get drug tested?

[Emergent]

A nurse in our department got her NP and came back to work in that role. Our ER is staffed by a contracted company.

The hospital went gung house with random drug testing a couple of years ago. When I questioned this gal she informed me that she did not have a pre-employment drug screening when she came back to the same hospital and department in a new role.

I find this to be a slap in the face to the nurses, CNAs, unit clerks, RTs, and housekeepers who are all subject to a surprise demand for urine. Meanwhile those with an undeniable power to make life and death decisions are not held accountable in the same manner.

[BostonFNP, APRN]

The providers are not employed by the hospital and as such they are responsible to their employers not the hospital. The secretaries and nurses are subject because they are responsible to the hospital. I don't understand what the problem or concern is?

[Emergent, RN]

The providers are not employed by the hospital and as such they are responsible to their employers not the hospital. The secretaries and nurses are subject because they are responsible to the hospital. I don't understand what the problem or concern is?

You don't understand why drug abusing doctors, PAs, and NPs might be a problem for the hospital and the wellbeing of patients?

[seaofclouds21, BSN, RN]

You don't understand why drug abusing doctors, PAs, and NPs might be a problem for the hospital and the wellbeing of patients?

Just because they don't have to test for the hospital doesn't mean they don't have to test for the company they work for. If you are that concerned about it, maybe reach out to someone in your hospital's administration to ask them specifically what the policy is for drug testing for contracted employees.

[BCgradnurse, MSN, RN, NP]

You don't understand why drug abusing doctors, PAs, and NPs might be a problem for the hospital and the wellbeing of patients?

The point is, in this specific case, is that the person in question is not an employee of the hospital, so is not subject to the same regulations as hospital employees. Her employer may choose to drug test or not, but that has no bearing on what the hospital chooses to do with their employees. I don't see it as a status or hierarchy issue.

[Emergent, RN]

Just because they don't have to test for the hospital doesn't mean they don't have to test for the company they work for. If you are that concerned about it, maybe reach out to someone in your hospital's administration to ask them specifically what the policy is for drug testing for contracted employees.

If you read my opening post my coworker informed me that there was no pre-employment screening done. We both found that fascinating, since the hospital had recently moved from pre-employment screening to random drug testing.

I'm not asking for advice on what to do, I'm starting a discussion on the subject, and suggesting that there may be an inexplicable double standard.

[klone, MSN, RN]

If you read my opening post my coworker informed me that there was no pre-employment screening done. We both found that fascinating, since the hospital had recently moved from pre-employment screening to random drug testing.

I'm not asking for advice on what to do, I'm starting a discussion on the subject, and suggesting that there may be an inexplicable double standard.

I don't think it's a double standard based on hierarchy, and more like different rules for different employers. Clearly the NP's employer doesn't see the value of random drug screens, and instead will probably screen for cause. IMO, this is a more sensible, cost-effective approach.

If you're going to rail against something, you should rail against your employer for subjecting you to stupid random drug screens.

[BostonFNP, APRN]

You don't understand why drug abusing doctors, PAs, and NPs might be a problem for the hospital and the wellbeing of patients?

Are you upset that everyone isn't drug tested or that you are and they aren't? Because it sure sounds a lot like the latter. If it is the former and you want to discuss making drug testing standard for everyone that's a different matter than considering two different employer policies to be a "slap in the face".

[Emergent, RN]

The point is, in this specific case, is that the person in question is not an employee of the hospital, so is not subject to the same regulations as hospital employees. Her employer may choose to drug test or not, but that has no bearing on what the hospital chooses to do with their employees. I don't see it as a status or hierarchy issue.

That is not true. All agency nurses are absolutely required to have drug testing documentation. And, if the hospital was truly concerned as they purport to be by their current hypervigilence regarding this matter, they would require the contracting company to provide proof, or do the testing themselves.

My conclusion is that there must be a a double standard, as there is no logic is requiring housekeeping to be drug free, but not the providers.

[seaofclouds21, BSN, RN]

That is not true. All agency nurses are absolutely required to have drug testing documentation. And, if the hospital was truly concerned as they purport to be by their current hypervigilence regarding this matter, they would require the contracting company to provide proof, or do the testing themselves.

My conclusion is that there must be a a double standard, as there is no logic is requiring housekeeping to be drug free, but not the providers.

Once again, you are comparing different employers. Without knowing the specifics of the agreement between your hospital and each company they contract through, it's hard to say there is a double standard. Maybe the company the NP works for simply overlooked doing a screening for her. You mentioned in another post that the hospital moved away from pre-employment screenings, so where is there a double standard that regular employees have to be drug free (upon hire), but not anyone else?

[klone, MSN, RN]

That is not true. All agency nurses are absolutely required to have drug testing documentation.

Agencies typically have agreements wherein the nurse follows the hospitals HR guidelines. Physician practices that contract for and have privileges at a facility are not the same as an agency, and are not analogous.

[Emergent, RN]

Are you upset that everyone isn't drug tested or that you are and they aren't? Because it sure sounds a lot like the latter. If it is the former and you want to discuss making drug testing standard for everyone that's a different matter than considering two different employer policies to be a "slap in the face".

It's not an emotionally laden subject for me, even though I used the phrase "slap in the face. I found it interesting, and this site needs interesting discussions other than whether someone can get quicker results than the quick results by entering a credit card, after taking the NCLEX...

[klone, MSN, RN]

But wait - didn't you just say that your hospital has moved away from pre-employment drug testing, and instead have gone to random drug testing? But you're upset that this NP didn't get a pre-employment drug test, even though your hospital no longer does pre-employment drug test, and she had one before when she was initially hired as a nurse?

This is not making sense.