Yesterday I started a CNA class. It is a required class to have to get into a local nursing program. During orientation the instructor starts to talk about drugs not being allowed in class then goes on to say that ANY medications are not allowed to become a CNA... She explained that because YOU wouldn’t want a CNA to care for YOU if they were on meds so we don’t allow it. Well after class I went up to her and asked her what I should do. I am on several different pain medications like the patch. She told me I would have to call this number and talk to a lady then get back to her. Well today I called and got no answer so I left a message, I called back again later and still got no answer. We were home all day and no one called. I went to class tonight and she took me outside as soon as I walked into the room and told me I wasn’t allowed to go to class because I was on medications. She also LIED and said that the lady tried to call me and could not get a hold of me. Is this really legal? Can she not allow me to take a class because of DOCTOR RX's? I am calling up to the Continuing Education department tomorrow and try to talk to her boss but I have a feeling that’s who lied today and said she tried to call me. Does anyone know if this is legal? I am freaking out because if I can’t get this CNA class done I will not be able to apply to the nursing program. Help please!
Hugs :icon_hug:
Shannon
PS We are also talking about finding a lawyer to see if this is legal or not we do not believe it is legal.
Well.........nurses are not allowed to work while under the influence of certain medications, even when prescribed legally. You could take meds while off duty or not in class, but not while working or in class.
Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.
HMMMM..this is a sticky situation you are in. I think it is strange that the colleges in your area require a CNA certificate as a pre-req to work towards an RN license. IMO, it is definitely a 'weeding out' plot. But, since you won't be able to change that and you said yourself that all the other courses are booked full....I suggest you go head on with this school. I wouldn't necessarily get a lawyer yet. You need to get your doctor to perform a complete physical on you and document that you are not "impaired" and perfectly capable of performing your duties while medicated. THEN you need to get a second opinion in agreement with documentation. Since you already know that the state does not set specific restrictions against your medications then I feel you have a strong case to pursue with the school. I also don't want to discourage you, but DO take into consideration the point that was brought up about personal liability if you were to be sued during your practice. Your condition unfortunately sets you up as an easy target. That is just reality. It seems to me that this will be a long and drawn out process, and it may be easier for you to find another school or another major. Either way, best of luck to you.
Keep your head up. I don't believe it was right at all. I would pursue a lawyer as well. Im in nursing school and yes they say stuff like that about drugs, but mainly dont come to work all doped up and try to help patients. If it is something that you may need to maintain a therapeutic level in your blood to keep from feeling pain but can still operate and think well, I would have issues with that instructor.
I am not certain what the laws are, but a call to the State Licensing agency would be in order here. If this were me, I would want to see IN WRITING the actual statue (if one exists) and see if there is a loophole. I would also go all the way to the top at the CNA school and want to see their policy IN WRITING as well. If indeed there is conflict between what the state says is acceptable and the school, you may want to contact someone about being discriminated against.
Whatever you choose, I wish you the best of luck! And if you do run into roadblocks and this is truly your dream, then do everything in your power to change things and get what you want!
Also, when I was in the staffing and employment sector, we used to drug test and there is a form they filled out prior to the test being done. This form asked of any meds taken- both prescription and non. If say a narcotic was shown to be prescribed and the test was positive, it was still reported negative.
Also, when I was in the staffing and employment sector, we used to drug test and there is a form they filled out prior to the test being done. This form asked of any meds taken- both prescription and non. If say a narcotic was shown to be prescribed and the test was positive, it was still reported negative.
I'm going to guess that it was for largely administrative and computer jobs though, correct? Many people who do have issues with either impairment or addiction do have valid RXs.
Plus, there's a difference in different jobs. I used to be an admin asst. and if I would have come to work and was impaired, legally or illegally, likely not much would have happened. Maybe I'd file things slower. Maybe my transcription wouldn't be great. Maybe I'd forget to do something minor. In nursing, there aren't the minor details that can be overlooked without causing potential harm. Forget to take a pulse before giving a med could result in harm. Forget to document something that later would turn out to be clinically important, also big issue.
As I said, my dh suffers from chronic pain, controlled by opiates, and he agrees, no matter how much he would want to pursue certain careers, some are just no longer open to him unfortunately.
There are many things in life that happen that unfortunately limit or change what our capabilities are. Sometimes we just need to take that into account and move on.
This is simple..There are a lot of CNA schools..Go and find another one..Don't get bent out of shape..If you want to disclose your privacy in the other school then get a doctor's note saying you can function properly..Many older nurses take medications...They have to for their health..
Lil Peanut, That is fine as long as that is what your dh chooses.This woman here is wanting to be a nurse and trying to find a way, which is why I said what I said. Her dreams are here and she is looking desperately to find a way to achieve these goals despite what disabilities she has. I can only encourage her to look for alternatives, I don't have enough information to assume that she can not handle the job at all or that there is no other alternative or way around/through her delimma. We already know the desire is there with this woman and I know that when I want something bad enough I will find a way or exhaust all options in the process!
It sounds like she does not plan on working as a CNA very long but is using it as it is a required step to get into the nursing program.
You have to remember that the CNA school kicked her out before they even knew what class of medicine she was on. I take claritin- would I have been sent away? I also sometimes take furinol for migraines- been taking it for 18 years & no buzz or impairement when I take it (and a bottle of 20 will last me a year sometimes)- would I be booted?
She has received many options to look into on this board which is what she was looking for. I hope she does all she can to follow her dreams!
Every person, as you know reacts to medicines (esp. narcotics) differently. I can tell you from experience that as long as I am in severe pain I can tolerate a LOT of morphine without any effects at all. However, give a tiny bit when I am not in much pain and you got one slurring, blurry eyed girl moseying around looking for flowers in the field!
the drug test was done for many positions including medical and was done a local hospital to same protocoll as for all. I nkw there are other tests, like DOT requred tests, and not sure if all done this way but it sounds to me knowing this, that it may be worth her while to check into that factor. All I am saying is that I am not convinced that legal, prescribed medicines are going to make her have a failing drug test.
You are correct when you say many addicts do have a prescription but again, every person that takes these drugs does not have a problem with drugs.
I would love to be an olympic gymnast. Unfortunately, the fact I'm 5'8" and not athletically gifted stop me from that.
I would love to be a professional pianist, but although I know how to play the piano, I would never be good enough to be a concert pianist.
We all have limitations, and if one of yours is that you are on narcotics, you should find a career path where that is not a hinderance.
There are plenty of jobs that involve caring and working with the ill, but not all of them require the same level of alertness as nursing.
I am surprised by your negativity here, it almost comes off as bitterness and I wonder if there is something deeper to it.
Wouldn't it be more conductive to try to help her to FIND A WAY to become a nurse?
Lil Peanut, you CHOOSE not to pursue those things and that is okay with you. The difference is that SHE is NOT willing to give up and will do what she has to. That is why I wholeheartedly offer her my support and encourgement to find a way thruough the obstacles she is facing.
I just read the NH nursing statues regarding this issue and found out a couple things. I doubt they are the same in every state though.
"A positive drug screen for which there is no lawful prescription." Is their wording on drug screening, which I believe from experience is universal in NH. Therefore if you have a prescription for a narcotic and the screen comes positive, that is okay as technically you have medical authorization.
Also, it deems that if you are unable to perform tasks as a nurse than you may not be able to be licensed. That being said, one could get a medical waiver/doctors note saying what tasks they can and can not perform and if it fits the requirements for their job desription, then they are allowed to practice.
Not everyone who takes narcotics for pain management is impaired and unable to function or functions at a slower pace, etc. Many build up a tolerance and the only affects are pain management after a time. I prefer to leave that judgement to the person's doctor to make that call. I would not feel right if someone judged me without all the facts and I refuse to do so to others.
People do have limitations on themselves. We should go with our strengths and our interests. There are other ways to accomplish caring in a hospital besides just nursing.
People do have limitations on themselves. We should go with our strengths and our interests. There are other ways to accomplish caring in a hospital besides just nursing.
You really do have a negative attitude. Everyone has limitations however success stories come from us overcoming those limitations. You wanted to be an olympic gymnast and professional pianist but how much did you practice at either? Were you 5'8" since 4 years of age or earlier when it seems most of these olympic gymnasts start? There is no reason that you cannot become a professional pianist now unless you have made other choices in your life that take up your time such as a decision to start a family.
When you say we should go with our strengths and interests it seems as if you are saying those are the most important things. While I do agree with you about the interest, I feel strengths are not as important. Strengths will just get you so far. I would include hard work and determination with interest. These 3 qualitites will allow you overcome almost anything.
When I graduated high school I was probably a B average student. There were a few naturally gifted people that were very intelligent yet they failed out of college while I graduated with like a 3.7 or so. Why? Because we can take things for granted.
Determination shouldnt be that big of a factor but unfortunately with so many people being negative or telling people they CAN'T do something, it is necessary so they believe in themselves and not other people.
Nat_gagui
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Nat:)