LVN program medical history disclosure & urinalysis

[Raddgirl13]

I'm getting my application ready for an LVN program here in Texas. The application asks for any medications we're taking & I've listed the 50mg of Tramadol I'm prescribed for uterine fibroids & menstrual cycle pain. I take 1-2 pills a day during my cycle which is only 1 week out of the month. I used to take high dose NSAIDS but they caused a lot swelling & my OB/GYN switched me to tramadol.

Will disclosing this information impact me negatively and is this a violation of HIPAA for them to ask? The main reason I disclosed this information is because I have to take a urinalysis and I want to be forthcoming incase the tramadol shows up on the test. I guess reading through some of the posts about disclosing medical information has me thinking I should not have shared the information.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

No, the information should not impact you in a negative manner. Pain medications are so common in society that no one should judge you for taking them as prescribed.

No, it is not a HIPAA violation for school personnel to ask about any medications you may be taking. If a student becomes unconscious during class or clinical practicum rotations or otherwise suffers through an emergent change in condition, knowing what medications that student is taking can be greatly helpful.

[Raddgirl13]

Thanks for responding. I'm off to take my UA now but every dollar spent on applying to this program has me wondering if I should just wait it out & go straight for my RN next summer or fall

[Jen_Loves_Nursing]

Hi! #1 don't worry about mentioning it on your medical history form because the tramadol likely won't show up on pee test. #2 The last comment you madea bout thinking if you should just wait it out and apply for RN program instead... Those thoughts are exactly where I am at the moment. I am in the process of applying for an LVN program that starts in Jan and if i waited until fall I could just go straight for RN. I am choosing RN because I have decide I would like to work as LVN and made decent money ($18-$25 here in california) while in RN program. When I am finished I will bridge right over...

[Raddgirl13]

Yes I'm in the exact same situation. The LVN program starts this January and I keep going back & forth but I know it's best for me because I really need a job. I only have 2 years of Financial aid money left(been at community college on & off for 4yrs since 2003)but I am more than half way through the BSN gen ed classes. I'd rather pay for my ADN out of pocket & save the aid for the MSN which is my ultimate goal. Here in San Antonio there is an ADN-MSN degree plan at a big teaching University. There's also a LVN-BSN program but not accepting apps until 2016 I'm guessing there were some NCLEX issues. So many choices!!