No longer conducting drug tests

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Specializes in CNA.

I just felt like sharing , the facility I work for has recently started a new employee benefit where if we recruit someone we get a raise and get this..... the drug testing will no longer be a requirement and when asked why the boss said " because there's a shortage of nurses and it discourages people from applying " how many nurses are actually on drugs !!???!?!?! 

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

Weed, man. Lots of people do edibles and other THC products in their personal time nowadays (I've taken some Delta-THC products a few times myself to help with my RLS at bedtime). 

The last time I was drug tested for a new job was 5 organizations ago (2016).

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

From 1984 until 2002, I worked for over a half dozen facilities & agencies as a nurse where drug testing was not part of the hiring process, and one of them was a state hospital.

I was drug tested only twice, 2002 & 03, in my career as part of the hiring process. I was randomly drug tested at the last facility where I worked, from 2003 to 2020.

So, given my history in the hiring process, in only about half of my career was drug testing mandatory.

 

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I was tested for my first job out of school and then my current position which I have been at for 10 years. Now I am curious if the new hires are tested!

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Specializes in CNA.

Oh wow I didn't realize how common it was , every job I've ever had dating back millions of years I was drug tested before the official hire. I thought it was outrageous! 

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
klone said:

Weed, man. Lots of people do edibles and other THC products in their personal time nowadays (I've taken some Delta-THC products a few times myself to help with my RLS at bedtime). 

When we were bought out about six years ago (they no longer own us thankfully) they decided to drug screen every employee and had to stop because so many people showing up positive for cannabis.  I bet it would even be higher now.  

Last time I was drug tested was over a missing Neurontin (which at the time was considered "controlled" by our hospital..it no longer is) a couple of years ago but they still drug screen at hire I believe.  

 

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
Tweety said:

When we were bought out about six years ago (they no longer own us thankfully) they decided to drug screen every employee and had to stop because so many people showing up positive for cannabis.  I bet it would even be higher now.   

 

My wife is a welder for a very large construction machinery manufacturer, and they had to stop drug testing their employees because they were losing so many welders and machine shop employees. ?

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Specializes in ER.
klone said:

My wife is a welder for a very large construction machinery manufacturer, and they had to stop drug testing their employees because they were losing so many welders and machine shop employees. ?

The problem with drug testing is that, one can show up positive for substances taken over the weekend, off the job. Also, most standard drug screens do not include drugs that are taken by people, such as LSD or mushrooms. But someone who smoked a joint a week ago can get in trouble.

In my opinion they should only be concerned with substances that someone might be on while they are working. They should either refine the tests, or do away with them.

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Specializes in oncology.
klone said:

s (I've taken some Delta-THC products a few times myself to help with my RLS at bedtime). 

Please investigate "dry needling".  I had Restless legs syndrome for decades, Physical therapists do  'dry needling'. Not painful, not acupuncture, not medications....a great fix. Wish I had done this 40 years ago!!

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
Emergent said:

 

In my opinion they should only be concerned with substances that someone might be on while they are working. They should either refine the tests, or do away with them.

I think that's exactly what they're doing. At least, eliminating THC from the UDS panel. 

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
Emergent said:

The problem with drug testing is that, one can show up positive for substances taken over the weekend, off the job. Also, most standard drug screens do not include drugs that are taken by people, such as LSD or mushrooms. But someone who smoked a joint a week ago can get in trouble.

In my opinion they should only be concerned with substances that someone might be on while they are working. They should either refine the tests, or do away with them.

IMV in the absence of behavior or conduct that generates suspicion of impairment at work, testing is a violation of our right to privacy. 

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Specializes in OB.

When I did my occupational health clearance for my first nursing job in 2008, I assumed I'd need to submit a UDS.  The NP there told me they did away with drug screening because the cost of testing vastly outweighed any benefit.  The amount of nurses truly impaired at work and/or diverting narcotics is minimal, and the vast majority get caught.  Fifteen years later, with the advent and prevalence of CBD/delta 8/kratom/whatever other cannabinoids are out there now, it makes even more sense.

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