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.

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?

I'm not too sure. At first I'd like to learn various skills (ER maybe?). Later on I'd like to find a service that works with low-income patients.

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Specializes in NICU.

Most any hospital will have you working with low income patients. Though some hospitals are more so than others.

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Im in a southern CA BSN program, and we had mandatory drug testing when we entered the program. Anyways, Im not sure if I would like my nurse to be high while caring for me. Like above posters said, nursing and drugs are like oil and water, they DONT mix!

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Im in a southern CA BSN program, and we had mandatory drug testing when we entered the program. Anyways, Im not sure if I would like my nurse to be high while caring for me. Like above posters said, nursing and drugs are like oil and water, they DONT mix!

I'm not in favor of smoking pot at anytime but I have to come to the defense of the OP who never said anything about wanting to go to work (or school) high.

Hung over from any intoxicating substance is not a good idea.

Regarding the problem I mentioned earlier in our logging business - I teased my husband about his younger years and going out with buddies and drinking. However he said he only drank one time on a work night and regretted it the next day because he worked with older men who were experts at falling trees (a very dangerous occupation) and he had an inner sense of pride in being able to keep up with them. Also, he is a big believer in giving your employer a full day's work, no matter what. No slacking because you partied too much the night before. So, go home, take a shower, eat dinner and go to bed.

steph

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Specializes in Hospice / Ambulatory Clinic.
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.

Sorry but alcohol and marijuana just aren't on the same level. California may allow the sale of medical marijuana but it is not legal under federal law. Personally I have a functioning alcoholic mother so I don't think people should drink either. I know too many people who "think" they behave normally while smoking mj on a regular basis. In fact a friend of my husband he and his wife got his children taken away by social services after they found a bong in his garage after the elder daughter had casually mentioned something smeely smoke coming from the afore mentioned garage.

If you want to be a nurse listen to what the nice people on the board are telling you and give up. Just don't come around and ask for advice and then try and argue out of it.

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Personally, I don't give a sweet patoot what adults do on their own time, provided it doesn't involved children or coercion.

That said, a few girls were summarily dismissed from my nursing program just for being arrested for weed. No conviction, no nothing, just the arrest.

And every place here drug tests. Hell, you can't work at McDonald's without peeing in a cup first.

Get a prescription for Xanax.

;)

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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.(alcohol is not an illegal substance)

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.(that scares me)

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.(it is not stepping out of bounds, as a 2nd year nursing student talking to someone who is not yet a student, i will tell you that education is a big part of our patient care and informing patients and families about healthy lifestyles and excluding abuse of alcohol and any use of illegal substances is not a part of a healthy lifestyle..any other students or rns care to back me up on the educating part??)

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.

(yes, it is a biased answer, what would you expect it to be? you are on a nursing website, i gave my honest advice. your employer will probably do random drug testing, why take that chance? save your spot in nursing school for someone who is willing to do what it takes and really wants to be there)

bottom line, you are on a website and chose the student nurse forum so you are addressing student nurses who busted their butts to be where we are and are asking us about your illegal use of drugs??..:banghead:

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(yes, it is a biased answer, what would you expect it to be? you are on a nursing website, i gave my honest advice. your employer will probably do random drug testing, why take that chance? save your spot in nursing school for someone who is willing to do what it takes and really wants to be there)

bottom line, you are on a website and chose the student nurse forum so you are addressing student nurses who busted their butts to be where we are and are asking us about your illegal use of drugs??..:banghead:

im sorry, but i have to agree with trepinct, well said. you have to practice what you preach. period. it comes down to one simple word: integrity.

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bottom line, you are on a website and chose the student nurse forum so you are addressing student nurses who busted their butts to be where we are and are asking us about your illegal use of drugs??..:banghead:

that is a very good point.

steph

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To be honest, I really have very low, if any, respect for drug users. My sister used to be damn smart and skipped ahead a couple of grades, then she did marijuana and now her STM is crap, she doesn't understand stuff, and essentially, she destroyed her intellect.

My advice to you: QUIT.

Else oneday your past use might make you make one very serious mistake.

You're trying to get a degree which would put people's lives in your hands, ask yourself, would you want your nurse/doctor caring for you if they were stoned?

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Hopefully, the OP got the info she wanted.

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All I have to say is my school did not do drug testing, but my first hospital employer did.

I have very long hair and I found out when I got there that they do a hair test to screen for illegal drugs..your hair is literally a drug diary.

Don't trash your entire career over pot. Drugs and alcohol are the #1 reasons why nurses in my state lose their licenses...the list every month is very, very long. With that going for people like me, I'll never have to worry about a nursing shortage.

Once you have been caught you'll find it very, very difficult to find another job and be subject to drug counseling, monitoring by most Boards of Nursing.

Also, for the sake of your patients, if you insist that it's not a problem, and you are not wanting to seek help...please for the safety of those patients, please find another profession...

...if you think you are 100% mentally aware during the day...the only person you are fooling is yourself.

It can cost someone their life.

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