Is taking a drug test embarrassing?

PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN · Aug 18, 2009

No, they do not watch you pee. They give you certain instructions, you follow, you pee--that's it.

It is part of being hired anywhere nowadays so--it's really not a big deal.

As far as your meds that you take, just let them know when they ask you if you are taking any PRESCRIBED medications.

That's it.

Lala27poodles · Aug 18, 2009

Oh thank god lol.

I know it's the norm these days, and I've had many jobs where I should have had one, and just never did lol! Don't know why....

Medic2RN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Aug 18, 2009

The only place they actually watch you pee for your drug test is in the military.....at least from my experience.

diane227, LPN, RN · Aug 18, 2009

This is the usual process: you go into a restroom where the water in the toilet has dye in it and the collection cup has a temperature monitor strip on the side. The water is turned off in the bathroom. You cannot take anything into the stall with you. You collect your sample. You give it to the tech. They check the temp of the sample and you both sign off on it and on the sheet to verify that you were the person that submitted that sample. If you are on ANY prescription drugs you should bring in the BOTTLES so they can see them. They will not take your word for it.

CECE,RN · Aug 18, 2009

No, not embarrasing unless you show up for work the next day and your urine test was positive..lol. No really it's just a sample of the urine you've been peeing out your whole life, but into a cup...lol...no audience, unless you desire one.

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Aug 18, 2009

I have never taken one before.
Do they watch you pee? If so, what happens if you get stage fright lol?
Also, if I'm on ritalin for ADHD, a friend told me that could show up as some kind of drug on the screen, so should i tell beforehand and show my prescription?

They do not watch you pee.

They have a strict protocol that they have you follow...such as not flushing the toilet..not washing your hands until they come back to get the sample...they won't let you into the bathroom if you are wearing a coat, have a purse, etc.

I have taken many, many drug tests...not one watched me do it.

morte, LPN, LVN · Aug 18, 2009

embarassing, no....insulting yes.....at least i would be if i ever had to take one....

Scooter5 · Aug 18, 2009

As a probation officer (and now happpy nursing student ), ANY urine screen we do is observed as we know unless we watch the urine come from the source, it quite possibly is adulturated, or not from the person who is giving the sample. We have seen urine transported in and on people in numerous creative ways (google "whizzinator"). As far as stage fright, our record for stage fright and drinking cups of water (what goes in must come out!) is about 4 hours.

Whispera, MSN, RN · Aug 18, 2009

Where I've worked, we've had random drug tests, and could have one done as often as every 6 months. It's gotten to be no more than a pain in the neck since it takes time. Do take the bottles of your prescribed medications with you or your prescription.

silliemunkie · Aug 18, 2009

Not a big deal at all

By far the drug test i had to take while in the military were the most embarrassing. we had to stand in the middle of the bathroom, and pee in a cup. luckily this was only during the in-processing stages.

StNeotser, ASN, RN · Aug 18, 2009

All my pre-employment screens were in private but with someone waiting right outside the door with one of those temperature strips, I suppose you'd never be able to keep it the right temp if it were someone elses sample. The last one I took also had the water shut off to the faucet.