Home Health Drug test

dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I · Feb 16, 2011

You can buy home drug tests off the shelf at larger pharmacies like Wal Mart, Walgreens, etc. Really sad when you think of it.

Psychtrish39, BSN, RN · Feb 16, 2011

I am thinking I may be posting this in a wrong area but I was just reading a job position heading at a local hospital and the hospital actually says that being nicotine free is a must or they will not hire you. I am eliminating the name of the hospital system so I will not be sued. This is from the actual posting:

Please be advised: xxxxxxxx has implemented a policy of hiring only job applicants who are nicotine-free. As of March 1, 2011, nicotine will be added to list of substances screened for during the post-offer, pre-employment testing for all external job candidates offered employment. A positive test for nicotine, regardless of the source, will eliminate a job candidate from employment consideration.

Is this legal? I don't smoke but I work with others that do that are wonderful nurses . I admit this is from the Pacific Northwest where you can't smoke anywhere. I just wonder how many nurses are not going to be hired for this reason. Yet there is a nursing shortage. Yes smoking is dangerous and will cause harm to your body but so do other activities of being alive. Where do you stop the amount of things a nurse must jump through to get a job. I am just shocked to tell you the truth.

Trekfan · Feb 16, 2011

I am thinking I may be posting this in a wrong area but I was just reading a job position heading at a local hospital and the hospital actually says that being nicotine free is a must or they will not hire you. I am eliminating the name of the hospital system so I will not be sued. This is from the actual posting:
Please be advised: xxxxxxxx has implemented a policy of hiring only job applicants who are nicotine-free. As of March 1, 2011, nicotine will be added to list of substances screened for during the post-offer, pre-employment testing for all external job candidates offered employment. A positive test for nicotine, regardless of the source, will eliminate a job candidate from employment consideration.
Is this legal? I don't smoke but I work with others that do that are wonderful nurses . I admit this is from the Pacific Northwest where you can't smoke anywhere. I just wonder how many nurses are not going to be hired for this reason. Yet there is a nursing shortage. Yes smoking is dangerous and will cause harm to your body but so do other activities of being alive. Where do you stop the amount of things a nurse must jump through to get a job. I am just shocked to tell you the truth.

Is this legal?

This is crazy , how can it be legal? I don't smoke but live with people that do I am in smoke all day long as there for I would not be able to get a job at this place just because I am around smoke ??

evolvingrn, BSN, RN · Feb 16, 2011

Why not? last time a family member was in the hospital i literally held my breath whenever one of the nurses was in the room because of the horrible smell.

Simba&NalasMom, LPN · Feb 16, 2011

Is this legal?
This is crazy , how can it be legal? I don't smoke but live with people that do I am in smoke all day long as there for I would not be able to get a job at this place just because I am around smoke ??

It's becoming more and more commonplace. I think so far, these employers are proceeding as if it is legal because they are assuming nobody will fight them on it. Here's a good article I was reading the other day (apologies to the OP for the thread hijack!)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/11/us/11smoking.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

realnursealso/LPN, LPN · Feb 17, 2011

I think you all confused what the OP meant. He/she wants ideas on how to update the test that Home Health Agencies give before you can be employed by them. Apparently they want their test to be geared towards home care cases, not hospital settings.