Marijuana user starting program in Fall

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Hello I am starting a nursing program this coming Fall. I use marijuana every day and find nothing wrong with that but at the same time I understand there are consequences and sacrifices that come with the lifestyle.

My primary goal is to make it through nursing school and later on find work that is suitable for the lifestyle I find appropriate. I have my bachelor's degree in another field in case nursing does not work out for me.

I recently attended my school's nursing program orientation and have a blood test I have to schedule. I looked over the paperwork and found the typical comprehensive blood panel spaces for the results, as well as a remark to attach the actual paperwork to the program's sheet. The blood work is to be done at the school's clinic. There is no mention of drug testing, no consent forms to drug testing (very common in California), and no mention in the school's guidelines about drug testing. Of course, they state a strong stance of zero-tolerance for attending classes and school-related activities under the influence of any drug. I do not know if nursing falls under a federal regulation that allows for drug testing without consent. But my job for example, must obtain prior consent for future random drug tests, and will do so only in the event of negligence or an accident.

So I have a few questions: Does it look like I will be tested for drugs? Marijuana is mostly a recreational drug for me so I am willing to stop using it if I have to. I also may be able to obtain a state marijuana card for a condition I have. Or am I just asking for trouble if I don't remain 100% clean while attending the program? Acceptance of Marijuana use is changing in California, but professionally I've seen standards that range from legal tolerance to immediate grounds for dismissal or termination. And sometimes it is hard to tell from the outside.

Please don't lecture me about my past. I just need some realistic advice suitable for a hippy going into a 2-year RN program.

Specializes in Hospice / Ambulatory Clinic.

Is this a real person really asking this question?? I wonder....

Well their user name is catatonic.....

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I look at it this way, would you like your mother/brother/sister... ect to be treated by a nurse that is high?

The first thing I learned in Paramedic school was every patient you have is someone daughter/son and should be treated as such.

I would not like my family memebers treated by someone high.

Another way to look at it, if you get busted for drugs you have a permanent mark on your record and can be denied some jobs permanently.

Is it worth it?

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Specializes in NICU.

I live in California, went to a ADN program here. I was tested before school, they would not allow us into the hospitals as student nurses w/out the drug test. The 3 hospitals I have worked at all require a drug test as a condition of employment.

Check with the Board of Registered Nursing, I am SURE there is some stipulation on our license for marijuana (or any other drug) use.

My first thought is you have a choice, your RN license OR smoking marijuana.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

IMHO, no, it is NOT worth the risk of getting busted, or losing my livelihood.

I won't kid anyone, I enjoyed smoking wacky weed, and if I ever get to retire in this lifetime, who knows what I'll want to do? But it's certainly not worth risking the license I worked so hard to attain or the job that provides me and mine with a satisfying middle-class lifestyle. End of story.

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the fact that you are so torn really concerns me. Weather its for recreational use or for a medical condition doesn't matter because you would be incapable of practicing as an RN. As nurses, we are often held to a higher standard than other occupations and we should live to that higher standard. You should quit for nursing school and for good. I question your maturity based on this being such a conflict for you.Peoples lives are going to be in your hands and one very important aspect of nursing care is to educate , will you be willing to put your personal beliefs aside so you can educate patients about the dangers of illegal substances?

Is this a real person really asking this question?? I wonder....

I don't understand how that is immature. Nurses are not asked to completely give up drugs like alcohol. But they are expected to fulfill their role while not under the influence. I'm not the equivalent of a raging alcoholic that asks if it's ok to come to work drunk. Without looking at my blood work, you would never know. Just because I smoke after work does not mean I am completely lacking in professional work ethics. I've never come to work stoned and I would never advocate such a habit.

I have avoided smoking marijuana for my entire time in the military (over 7 years). I've been in medical units, been on deployment, and I've been in critical situations. I lived to their standards and put on my own on beliefs on hold before.

And you are stepping out of bounds with educating people about illegal substances. Is this a legal advice board for pre-law or future cops? Legality is not a moral compass and it should not be the basis for health care education. The last three doctors I've discussed my use with offered no such advice, except to be mindful of smoking as a route which is harmful. I would have questioned their objectivity if they lectured me on state laws and regulations instead of advice related to health care. And I already have to discuss marijuana with clients in my current job. I only give relevant objective advice, and never step out of line as a vendor for social services.

I think this answer was a little too biased. Smoking marijuana is not immature and I don't know how you came to that conclusion. It was an objective question - either it is compatible or incompatible as an occupation and I asked for some honest advice.

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I look at it this way, would you like your mother/brother/sister... ect to be treated by a nurse that is high?

The first thing I learned in Paramedic school was every patient you have is someone daughter/son and should be treated as such.

I would not like my family memebers treated by someone high.

Another way to look at it, if you get busted for drugs you have a permanent mark on your record and can be denied some jobs permanently.

Is it worth it?

Sorry, but coming to work high has nothing to do with my question.

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There are many threads here regarding marijuana use - many related to medical use. It is hard to discuss this issue w/o discussing the morality or legality of using marijuana, an illegal drug. If people cross that line, what other lines will they cross?

https://allnurses.com/forums/f118/do-you-think-patients-should-have-right-use-medical-marijuana-136561.html

As to your question - most of us have said it is not worth it.

steph

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Specializes in Home Health, Med/Surg.
I appreciate the support. I guess that license is the critical part I haven't been focusing on. Currently it looks like I will be doing without MJ for nursing school. And I'll be ready to stay that way if I have to. (bummer)

if your are looking to actually get and keep your license, i strongly suggest that you subcumb to just giving up the marijuana because probably 99% of health care facilities have a random drug test policy.

remember licensing is federally mandated and though the state's laws may supercede the federal's if the state's regulations are stricter than the federal's ( I'm currently in the legal field), the federal gov't still requires that all healthcare facilities abide by certain guidelines. hope this helps....

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if your are looking to actually get and keep your license, i strongly suggest that you subcumb to just giving up the marijuana because probably 99% of health care facilities have a random drug test policy.

remember licensing is federally mandated and though the state's laws may supercede the federal's if the state's regulations are stricter than the federal's ( I'm currently in the legal field), the federal gov't still requires that all healthcare facilities abide by certain guidelines. hope this helps....

You are right. I said it before, I was focusing on the school's policy but I wasn't considering the risk to the license. I also wasn't considering the hospital standards when clinical training starts. I'm familiar with some of them and of course they test all of their employees.

For the record: I won't be smoking in school and I'll be just fine if I have to stop smoking :)

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You are right. I said it before, I was focusing on the school's policy but I wasn't considering the risk to the license. I also wasn't considering the hospital standards when clinical training starts. I'm familiar with some of them and of course they test all of their employees.

For the record: I won't be smoking in school and I'll be just fine if I have to stop smoking :)

Good for you! :D By the way . . . .

:wlcmggrp:

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Specializes in Home Health, Med/Surg.
You are right. I said it before, I was focusing on the school's policy but I wasn't considering the risk to the license. I also wasn't considering the hospital standards when clinical training starts. I'm familiar with some of them and of course they test all of their employees.

For the record: I won't be smoking in school and I'll be just fine if I have to stop smoking :)

good deal. and just as an FYI, you will probably be so tired that you may not be able to lift your hand to your mouth anyway! :yeah: i just started clinicals and we havent even gotten to our 12 hr days yet. we had an 8 hr shift on both sat and sun this weekend from 6:30 am to 3:30pm. i was so tired when i got home that i slept from 5pm to 4am both days ( usually only sleep 6hrs a night)....

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Specializes in NICU.
You are right. I said it before, I was focusing on the school's policy but I wasn't considering the risk to the license. I also wasn't considering the hospital standards when clinical training starts. I'm familiar with some of them and of course they test all of their employees.

For the record: I won't be smoking in school and I'll be just fine if I have to stop smoking :)

On different note, I second what another poster said about being too tired to do anything. :) I found my 2 yr program to be a living hell. However, I LOVE my job and career. It was all worth it.

Keep us all in mind for support. This site is a great source of information and support.

Do you have any idea what area of nursing you may ultimately be interested in?

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