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.
If you plan on being a nurse, you have to ask yourself; If I were a patient, would I want a nurse that uses drugs? You would probably answer "No".
Are you "Done"? Perhaps not. Schedule time with your advisor, admit the error of your ways, volunteer for whatever drug use intervention program they may suggest and complete it. Then, stay away from any illegal drugs, and legal ones if they impair you from proper functioning or decision making at work.
Specializes in Emergency, home health, urgent care.
OP, I've been on this site for years, almost as long as I've been a nurse. I've mainly been a lurker, but I've decided to start writing/posting recently. You will generally see two main kinds of posts on here: 1. those that are helpful, constructive, and come from a good place, and 2. shaming/hating/holier-than thou posts that are both unhelpful and come from a not so good place. Read carefully the helpful posts as they come from a wide variety of nurses that genuinely care about each other and the profession. The latter posts are very easy to spot. They usually contain a "I would never..." or question your motives for getting into nursing in the first place. They often demonstrate a very black-and-white view of ethics and narrow worldview, and it seems the posters think that nurses are better or supposed to be better than everyone else. They often come from nursing or pre nursing students, or nurses with little real-world nursing experience. Hey, I've got nothing against students, I was one myself, and I never look down on them. I'm also a little older but not so old to forget being young and foolish and making dumb mistakes. Focus on the positive and again, good luck to you in your career.
I actually had a similar situation happen to me. I didn't fail my drug screen, but I have several, and I do mean several dui's on my background and I was not allowed to complete even my first clinical rotation. I stayed at the same school and entered the HIMT program, and found out that they have to learn almost everything that a nurse does, they just don't get to interact personally with the patients. Check into it and see if this would be an option for you.
Your best chance to getting into a nursing school (and staying) is to kick the habit, but assuming that you are not willing do so -
Either you stop smoking long enough to pass a drug test or move to a country that does not do drug tests for nursing students.
Another tip:
Before you apply to another nursing program, meet with its program coordinator face-to-face (so he/she can see your determination and remorse) and discuss your dilemma.
Either you stop smoking long enough to pass a drug test or move to a country or a state with a program that does not do drug tests for nursing students.
Could you go to a School where it is legal to smoke Pot on a recreational basis? If Not, then why would certain states legalize Pot and not expect Nursing Students to partake in this legal recreation? I would Call Colorado and the other states that have legal pot law's and ask. If the state made it "Legal" then how can they discriminate against one profession? also, If you voluntarily complete a drug program and get a certificate of completion. "They" will probably accept you. I know there are some states that are required to help Nurses overcome drug addiction. they just have parameter's the first Year after completing the course. i.e. they are not allowed to give Narc's with out another nurse following them. Best of Luck, don't lose hope, everything is possible you may have to make your own road around it that's all.
Could you go to a School where it is legal to smoke Pot on a recreational basis? If Not, then why would certain states legalize Pot and not expect Nursing Students to partake in this legal recreation? I would Call Colorado and the other states that have legal pot law's and ask. If the state made it "Legal" then how can they discriminate against one profession? also, If you voluntarily complete a drug program and get a certificate of completion. "They" will probably accept you. I know there are some states that are required to help Nurses overcome drug addiction. they just have parameter's the first Year after completing the course. i.e. they are not allowed to give Narc's with out another nurse following them. Best of Luck, don't lose hope, everything is possible you may have to make your own road around it that's all.
I understand what you're saying but that's like joining the military and being stationed somewhere where smoking marijuana is legal. It's apart of a contract you signed stating what you can and can't do. That doesn't mean you are given the right to smoke because it's legal there. I for one wouldn't want someone that's high caring for me or my family members. Who's to say if they like that feeling and want to try other drugs?
Could you go to a School where it is legal to smoke Pot on a recreational basis? If Not, then why would certain states legalize Pot and not expect Nursing Students to partake in this legal recreation? I would Call Colorado and the other states that have legal pot law's and ask. If the state made it "Legal" then how can they discriminate against one profession?
How do you "call Colorado and ask"?
The answer to your question is that it is entirely legal for any employer to refuse to hire or fire any employee (not just nurses) who tests positive for pot. The Colorado Supreme Court has already ruled in favor of the employer on this issue.
There are also many facilities in the US who will refuse to hire (or will fire) an employee who tests positive for nicotine. There are some facilities who will not hire someone who takes any controlled substance, even with a prescription. This is all legal, as pot smokers, nicotine users, and legal users of controlled substances are not a protected class.
Actually if someone truely is a "casual" or sporadic user of marijuana they should only have a +uds for up to 5 days after. Chronic users will test + for much longer periods of time sometimes more than 2 months after even after cessation of the drug. I think the original poster might not be fully honest about the frequency she uses, unless the timing of the drug test was a day or 2 after she used.
Depending on where OP lives, it may very well be a crime. No matter how you see it.
sunmaidliz said:
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.
you may want compassion and someone to tell you that is all ok. Fact is that it is not all ok.
As an RN we cant break federal law and have a job as a nurse.
This is a profession that has rules and regulations, whether we agree with them or not. If you want to be this type of professional, you need to behave appropriately. What would you think of someone who was drunk and killed someone in a crash?
It looks like it is time to find another field.
I believe that our country must reassess theses issues. Until it does and things change, this is the way it is.
RobtheORNurse
126 Posts
If you plan on being a nurse, you have to ask yourself; If I were a patient, would I want a nurse that uses drugs? You would probably answer "No".
Are you "Done"? Perhaps not. Schedule time with your advisor, admit the error of your ways, volunteer for whatever drug use intervention program they may suggest and complete it. Then, stay away from any illegal drugs, and legal ones if they impair you from proper functioning or decision making at work.
Good luck.