New Nursing Student and prescribed meds.

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Hello to all,

First of all, I realize this topic has been covered in former discussions, yet, I would like some opinions from both active RN's and students. I have been accepted into an Accelerated BSN Program in Spring semester (Jan.) 2010. I already have BS degrees in Biomed. Tech. and Chemistry. I have been a practicing nationally certified and credentialed CV Perfusionist for 13 yrs. and am broadening my health care scope of practice to nursing. Although I know how health care schools and medical facilities operate as far as pt. safety is concerned, I have a burning question to ask of all of you. Over the past 2 years or so, I have been prescribed one 2.0 mg Alprazolam (Xanax) XR/day. Should I , (1) list the anxiety condition and treatment which led to my xanax prescription and, (2) should I list the xanax XR prescription on my school physical examination documentation. I know I am safe as far as a drug screen because of my prescription. I have discussed this matter with my VA MD who prescribed the med and was assured I should NOT be concerned as far as a drug screen/urinalysis due to the fact that I am under a physicians care for combat service-connected disorder. The question is more moral, I guess. I don't want to be under the microscope by instructors in the diadactic and clinical areas during the school. Any suggestions would be truly welcomed. Thank you for your attention.

CM

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Specializes in Family Practice, Urgent Care, Cardiac Ca.

I'd be open with them about it all. And please do keep in mind that this borders on medical advice, which we do not promote on allnurses.

Best of Luck!

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Specializes in Clinicals.

I will graduate from my BSN program in Decemeber. I was prescribed xanax 1mg prn for my panic disorder last year. I feel that it is totally up to you who you choose to share this information with. I have told many of my instructors, both in the classroom and clinicals, about my disorder and they all seem to forget. Or at least they act as if they forgot...LOL One of my clinical instructors even told me that she takes xanax. Don't feel pressured to tell them about your prescription if it makes you uncomfortable. We are all only human, you might be surprised at their reaction. Good Luck! :yeah:

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Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.

I am up front with my manager about my meds and she does not care one way or the other as long as I don't blow up at work and have a melt down and pistol whip someone.

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.
I'd be open with them about it all. And please do keep in mind that this borders on medical advice, which we do not promote on allnurses.

Best of Luck!

Be careful, this varies by state.

A lot of people are giving advice that they THINK is correct, but I can tell you now, it isn't in most places.

Read the application that they gave you...and read it very, very carefully.

You are ONLY required to disclose what the ask you to disclose on the application IN WRITING.

If it ASKS you about medications, then you list it. If it doesn't, then you don't.

If you take a drug test, the drug testing company will set the standards of what you disclose vs what you don't. Some ask for your drug list up front but MOST only want a list to explain what you test postive for.

No drug test in America tests for every prescription medication.

People are forgetting that your personal medical history is protected by HIPAA...and before people start posting advice saying, "You need to disclose everything"...you are setting this student up to give more information than is necessary unless you know for a fact that he/she has to.

That is why you need to READ the application.

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