I know there are some threads on this subject, but every situation is different and I'm looking for specific advice on my current situation.
I was in a accelerated nursing program for about 6 months and needed to take a drug test (through Advantage Students) for my second clinical rotation. As you can guess, I failed due to smoking marijuana. I don't smoke much, and I know it's not worth it, but I did this time and got caught. I was expelled from my program/school with no hope of re-admission. A large part of their decision to expel me was because it would be very difficult to find clinical sites that do not use "Advantage Students" drug/background screening. Many of the hospitals in my city were bought by a large healthcare organization and that organization uses Advantage Students, so my failed test would show up at any of their sites. Also, apparently Advantage Students is a national company.
I'm starting to wonder if I will ever be able to complete a nursing program anywhere on the chance that a possible clinical site might use Advantage Students, and thus promptly send me on my way. I'm live in the south east part of the US wondering if I move to the west coast, pacific north west, Canada, or Virgin Islands if the failed test result would mess me up somewhere along the way. Also, who does the NCLEX use for there pre-test drug testing?
I have been so committed to my career in healthcare and nursing, over the past 5+ years, I don't know if can start something else. I'm beginning to freak out and am desperate to find any solution that would allow me to continue on my journey to becoming a nurse.
P.S. I'm not looking for a lecture about my poor decision, or the negative effects of drugs. I know I f*ed up bad. Now I'm trying to be positive, move on, and find a solution to get back on track.
Thank you all in advance. Any constructive advice would be greatly appreciated.
Most schools (nursing or otherwise) will have 'drug test positive' addressed in their FAQ. I thought this was an interesting thing to research.
Usually you can reapply to the same school after 6 months 'clean' and be accepted. Yes, they will address your past positive tests and you will have to answer. I haven't been able to find a definitive answer for whether you will be charged with a felony for a positive drug screen or if it's jut for possession. But, If you do get a felony charge because of it you'll have to declare it with every application that asks about felony charges.
My first RN preceptor as a graduate nurse was accused of diverting drugs, had gone to an EAP/State program and was allowed to work as a nurse again, but was unable to ever pass narcotics in her career. I haven't been able to find info as to whether this will be an issue with something like a THC charge.
That being said, for a future in the medical field. Most hospitals are testing for even nicotine these days. They have the right to not hire you for smoking cigarettes or to tell you that you need to take a program to stop smoking in order to be eligible for hire.
I recommend that you clean up, contact a few schools and hospitals to find their policies out, attend a rehab program and anything else that the schools and hospitals will require for you to prove you're back on the right path and serious about your career.
I have a friend who faced a similar situation. She was able to reapply to a new school with no issues as long as she passed her drug tests and continued to pass random ones. As far as I know you don't drug test prior to NCLEX, or at least I didn't. They may have used the results from when I first started nursing school.
Being accountable for your actions and being truthful with future programs about why you were expelled should go a long way in finding a school that will accept you. You made a mistake, own it and be ready to explain what steps you are taking to make sure it never happens again.
I am in Canada and I am not aware of any drug testing by nursing schools or hospitals, they do however do a criminal background check for the vulnerable sector. In Ontario, the College of Nurses mandates that you self report any conviction...that includes speeding tickets which I think is stupid...but they make the rules...so if no convictions on your record you probably could get into a Canadian school however I really don't know how difficult that is for a US citizen...good luck to you on your journey
I know there are some threads on this subject, but every situation is different and I'm looking for specific advice on my current situation.
I was in a accelerated nursing program for about 6 months and needed to take a drug test (through Advantage Students) for my second clinical rotation. As you can guess, I failed due to smoking marijuana. I don't smoke much, and I know it's not worth it, but I did this time and got caught. I was expelled from my program/school with no hope of re-admission. A large part of their decision to expel me was because it would be very difficult to find clinical sites that do not use "Advantage Students" drug/background screening. Many of the hospitals in my city were bought by a large healthcare organization and that organization uses Advantage Students, so my failed test would show up at any of their sites. Also, apparently Advantage Students is a national company.
I'm starting to wonder if I will ever be able to complete a nursing program anywhere on the chance that a possible clinical site might use Advantage Students, and thus promptly send me on my way. I'm live in the south east part of the US wondering if I move to the west coast, pacific north west, Canada, or Virgin Islands if the failed test result would mess me up somewhere along the way. Also, who does the NCLEX use for there pre-test drug testing?
I have been so committed to my career in healthcare and nursing, over the past 5+ years, I don't know if can start something else. I'm beginning to freak out and am desperate to find any solution that would allow me to continue on my journey to becoming a nurse.
P.S. I'm not looking for a lecture about my poor decision, or the negative effects of drugs. I know I f*ed up bad. Now I'm trying to be positive, move on, and find a solution to get back on track.
Thank you all in advance. Any constructive advice would be greatly appreciated.
"I know it's not worth it" is what you said. So why did you do it? It sounds like you did a risk-benefit analysis and figured out the risks outweighed the benefits yet did it anyway. I can't imagine why you want to be a nurse where there are rules, regulations, ethics, etc. and did something so stupid and wrong. And now you're trying to figure out how to get past it? Perhaps move to a different state or locale where the testing company is different. Other than that, move on to something different.
You might just have to switch your schools to one not affiliated with the current school that expelled you. You might have to discuss, write, or what not to explain the reason for being previously expelled but I give you merit and I think others will to for owning your mistake and learning from it! I work/know numerous professional health care workers that have had previous drug charges, and hold an active license today
I don't know if anyone said this yet, but my idea was maybe to contact your local state board and ask them. They are the ones that make decisions about the consequences of licensed nurses who are determined to be abusing drugs and/or alcohol. Maybe they can help you get through some sort of rehab or remediation that would grant you entry into a new nursing program?
Why did you want to become a Nurse in the first place? Did you not realize what it means to carry those letters after your name or to tell people that is what you are? If you are not responsible in your private life, how can you be responsible with someone else's life? You may not like these questions but they are ones that NEED to be answered PRIOR to becoming a Nurse!!!!!!! Yes we make mistakes and I promise we PAY DEARLY when we do. As a nurse you will be responsible at some point for LIFE CHANGING decisions and the life you change is someone else's. It is a HUGH responsibility. That is part and only part of being a nurse. I am not trying to give you a hard time but you REALLY need to think about the life you are wanting to become a part of. Nursing is a WAY OF LIFE.... You don't stop being a nurse just because you punched out that day. The moment someone knows you are a nurse they immediately look at you and will treat you different than someone who isn't. YOU DEAL WITH PEOPLE'S LIFE. Not something you can run down to the Wal-mart and replace if you screw it up...YOU can bring life or Death it is a HELL of a lot of RESPONSIBILITY. So you truly need to ask yourself WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE A NURSE? There are downsides to EVERY profession. Nursing is a Truly Rewarding Profession but PRIVACY in the WAY you live your life is under SCURTINY by EVERYONE. Don't know of one Board that doesn't have an ETHICS Clause. READ THE NURSING PLEDGE
Don't do drugs, simple as that.. You're a professional who wants to LOOK AFTER PEOPLE.... The system does not look lightly upon those who bend the rules. You are held to a higher standard in this job. You can't have your cake & eat it too. It doesn't fly in this line of work ....
The drug test may not follow her but being expelled from school will which makes this a more difficult situation. I hope you learned from your mistake. if this is truly what you want to be a nurse you will see that mj is not worth the risk and if that is something you want to continue to partake in than nursing or any job where you are required to be drug screen is not for you. I wish you the best of luck while you try to work out this problem.
The way I see it, you didn't commit a crime. Take a year or so off and reapply to a different school. Start over and fresh. It's no ones business and make sure you are clean if are getting drug tested. Nursing is a field where you're gonna get drug tested. As long as you are a nurse, don't do illegal drugs.
Btw, I don't remember being drug tested at all during nursing school.
Jo,RN
1 Post
Most schools (nursing or otherwise) will have 'drug test positive' addressed in their FAQ. I thought this was an interesting thing to research.
Usually you can reapply to the same school after 6 months 'clean' and be accepted. Yes, they will address your past positive tests and you will have to answer. I haven't been able to find a definitive answer for whether you will be charged with a felony for a positive drug screen or if it's jut for possession. But, If you do get a felony charge because of it you'll have to declare it with every application that asks about felony charges.
My first RN preceptor as a graduate nurse was accused of diverting drugs, had gone to an EAP/State program and was allowed to work as a nurse again, but was unable to ever pass narcotics in her career. I haven't been able to find info as to whether this will be an issue with something like a THC charge.
That being said, for a future in the medical field. Most hospitals are testing for even nicotine these days. They have the right to not hire you for smoking cigarettes or to tell you that you need to take a program to stop smoking in order to be eligible for hire.
I recommend that you clean up, contact a few schools and hospitals to find their policies out, attend a rehab program and anything else that the schools and hospitals will require for you to prove you're back on the right path and serious about your career.