Marijuana user starting program in Fall

Nursing Students General Students

Published

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 Family Nurse Practitioner.
There is a doc who prescribes medical pot to anyone - regardless of whether they really need it for nausea or pain. My nephew a CHP, pulled over a car with two teenagers/legal adults (18 and 19) who pulled out their medical pot RX written by this doc . . . . for supposed back pain. Yeah, right. I doubt those boys know the meaning of a hard day's work. steph[/quote']

Please consider that we really don't have the right to judge whether or not someone is in pain. :nuke:

From what I have read medical mj has been a blessing for many people with chronic pain.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

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.

I'll admit now that I didn't read all the posts yet, but have a quick comment and question.

First the question...you say you use it mostly recreationally, but could obtain legally for some sort of condition. So if you have a medical condition that is best treated by MJ, how will you be able to function without it?

Now the comment (or 2)...Beware the hair follicle test. Also, beware that you can't count on not getting tested after an initial new-hire test. In particular, many hospitals will do drug tests if the narcotic count is off. I know because dumb me (as a new grad) put a darvocet in a pocket of my new scrub. Moments later when I got to the pt's room I couldn't finde the pill. We looked and looked and looked, but found nothing (yes I searched my pocket). So I contacted the sup and she had us all pee in a cup. The kicker of it was that later than night I was scratching my leg and I felt something...so I reach into a pocket and discover a kinda hidden pocket with...yep, 1 unopend darvocet. So the moral of the story is...don't put meds in your pocket (esp. narcs.) and even though you haven't done anything to justify a pee test, that's not to say one of your coworkers hasn't goofed up.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Please consider that we really don't have the right to judge whether or not someone is in pain. :nuke:

From what I have read medical mj has been a blessing for many people with chronic pain.

There is more info that I can't divulge but 18 and 19 year olds? With chronic back pain? Call me skeptical.

And I'm one of the nurses who does not make judgments regarding the ER forum and the "drug-seeker" threads . . . even drug addicts are entitled to pain control.

steph

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
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??)

it has been my experience as a nurse that showing empathy will get you way farther with your client education plan than judging their choices.

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:

it seemed to me that the op was asking an honest question and was gracious in considering the feedback so it really didn't need to get to this, imo.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Just be patient, chronic may be legal one day. After all, alcohol was outlawed for a while, and nurses are some of the hardest drinkers I've ever met.

Also, my s/o is living proof that you can get a nursing license with a felony conviction.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm sorry but bottom line you are going to be working with people. If you are high do you really think you will function better? I don't think so. If you are high you can mess up on so many thing for example like meds. If you gave the wrong dose you can get sued, if you gave the wrong med you can get sued. Why take that chance at all, do you think it would be worth it? Just quit and be done with it. Personally I would not trust anyone to take care of me being high.

I used to be into drugs when I was in my early teens and trust me its worth it to quit. All you are doing is killing brain cells and they don't come back.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Hey, folks---the OP has already said she plans to quit smoking pot. Let's lighten up a little, shall we?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
I'm sorry but bottom line you are going to be working with people. If you are high do you really think you will function better? I don't think so. If you are high you can mess up on so many thing for example like meds. If you gave the wrong dose you can get sued, if you gave the wrong med you can get sued. Why take that chance at all, do you think it would be worth it? Just quit and be done with it. Personally I would not trust anyone to take care of me being high.

I used to be into drugs when I was in my early teens and trust me its worth it to quit. All you are doing is killing brain cells and they don't come back.

I'm sure many of us share your feelings but the OP never implied they were going to use while at work or school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

this point has been made at least once but it still gets overlooked:

the OP never said he/she would come to work high, so to assume he/she would is a bit judgemental

if the argument is that the OP's use will hinder their performance whether acutely high or not, well scientific research indicates MJ may or may not have long term effects

bottom line...I think the OP got the info he/she was searching for.

I guess I posted a few seconds too late...now the point has been beaten to death; will it stick?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

where did the op say she planned on getting stoned before work, or working while high?

dang, this poor woman.

she was brave enough to post her question:

didn't try to sugarcoat anything and has been most respectful.

you think we can just answer her question, less the judgments?

sheesh.

leslie

Up Vote Up Vote ×
where did the op say she planned on getting stoned before work, or working while high?

dang, this poor woman.

she was brave enough to post her question:

didn't try to sugarcoat anything and has been most respectful.

you think we can just answer her question, less the judgments?

sheesh.

leslie

lol...OP didn't

I can't think of the term--when something strikes a nerve so solidly that nothing else the person says is heard (i.e., you ignore everything except that one trigger phrase or word); this is one of those situations; I know I've posted a thing or 2 that has gotten the same type of response where people beat a dead horse that I didn't even kill (not about MJ), and I'm sure I'm guilty of doing it to others as well.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I apollogise for making an assumption that the use included work/clinicals.

The subject is one that hits home with a lot of people.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment