Nurses Who Smoke Marijuana

Nurses Recovery

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I am currently taking my prerequisites for Nursing. I know two nurses, one is a friend of my mothers and she is a Nurse Practitioner and my boyfriend's mother is a charge nurse in the ICU. Both of them smoke Marijuana (occasionally) and they haven't had any issues with their career. Although I have seen a thread on allnurses talking about a woman being fired from her job because she tested positive for Marijuana during a random drug test at work. So my question is, why do some people get FIRED for smoking marijuana but some don't and continue to advance in their career with no issues? Is it just because they didn't get caught through drug testing? Do Nurses know when their employers will be giving drug tests or how often?

Thanks!

2 Votes
Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
NenaRK said:
Hello all,

I am currently taking my prerequisites for Nursing. I know two nurses, one is a friend of my mothers and she is a Nurse Practitioner and my boyfriend's mother is a charge nurse in the ICU. Both of them smoke Marijuana (occasionally) and they haven't had any issues with their career. Although I have seen a thread on allnurses talking about a woman being fired from her job because she tested positive for Marijuana during a random drug test at work. So my question is, why do some people get FIRED for smoking marijuana but some don't and continue to advance in their career with no issues?

Some people get fired because they tested positive in a drug test. Your friends that still work as nurses despite using marijuana aren't any less guilty, they are just better at hiding their crime.

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Is it just because they didn't get caught through drug testing?

Marijuana can absolutely be caught through drug testing.

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Do Nurses know when their employers will be giving drug tests or how often?

For a pre-employment drug screen you generally know in advance when it will be. However, a stipulation of every job I've ever had as a nurse, or in healthcare for that matter, is that you consent to be randomly drug tested at any time your employer feels necessary. They could randomly choose to test you based on behavior, or just cause. One employer I worked for would randomly chose 20 employees every month to drug test, and they would have 2 hrs to present for drug test or face disciplinary measures.

I'm going to read in between the lines and assume you are a young prospective nurse that is wondering how you can use marijuana and work in healthcare. I can tell you that is not a chance you really want to take. If your drug test comes up positive, even "just" for marijuana, not only would you risk being fired, but you would also be reported to your state board of nursing, and could face further action from them.

I have alot of friends (outside of nursing) that use marijuana. I don't judge them for the choices they make, but they understand that I will always choose not to partake as i value my job more than the risks that I could face.

2 Votes
Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

As far as knowing when you'll be drug tested, almost every place makes it part of your employment agreement that you can be tested for drug use at any time. Refusing a drug test can be grounds for disciplinary action--in fact, many places treat a refused drug test as a positive drug test and will act accordingly.

It could be that the drug test gods just haven't caught up with these people yet. Some people get through for years at a job without having to pee in that cup--others get hit with random checks every year or more often. My better half had to endure three drug tests in three months; two were random (I know, the odds!), the third test was not (they suspected someone in the unit was using so they tested the whole unit).

It's a big risk that they're taking and it will probably catch up with them sooner or later. When it does, it could cause a lot of damage to their careers.

1 Votes
Specializes in Critical Care, Psychiatric.

I am a nurse who is in TPAPN because I used marijuana. I always thought that as long as I didn't slip and fall, I would never get tested. I smoked on my days off and kept my uniforms separate from where I smoked. All it took for me to get called for a random test was a complaint from a patients family member. It was a malicious thing done by this patients family but if I had not been using, I would have ended up with a couple of paid days off instead of 2 years in TPAPN. A career in nursing and the use of illicit drugs are like oil and water. They don't mix.

2 Votes
Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.
learninglessons12 said:
I am a nurse who is in TPAPN because I used marijuana. I always thought that as long as I didn't slip and fall, I would never get tested. I smoked on my days off and kept my uniforms separate from where I smoked. All it took for me to get called for a random test was a complaint from a patients family member. It was a malicious thing done by this patients family but if I had not been using, I would have ended up with a couple of paid days off instead of 2 years in TPAPN. A career in nursing and the use of illicit drugs are like oil and water. They don't mix.

Yep - I entered our state's recovery program in 1999 after testing positive for and diverting opiates at work. My dh (we were not married or dating at the time just knew each other from a previous job) tested positive for MJ on a random DS at work - and entered the program the same month that I did. There were 2 other nurses who also tested positive for MJ at work right after dh did and they were given a few weeks off with pay and just had to pee negative for it when they came back.

Anne, RNC

1 Votes

Random drug tests are legal. its discrimination. At least in Canada it's legal because of discrimination.

NenaRK said:
Hello all,

I am currently taking my prerequisites for Nursing. I know two nurses, one is a friend of my mothers and she is a Nurse Practitioner and my boyfriend's mother is a charge nurse in the ICU. Both of them smoke Marijuana (occasionally) and they haven't had any issues with their career. Although I have seen a thread on allnurses talking about a woman being fired from her job because she tested positive for Marijuana during a random drug test at work. So my question is, why do some people get FIRED for smoking marijuana but some don't and continue to advance in their career with no issues? Is it just because they didn't get caught through drug testing? Do Nurses know when their employers will be giving drug tests or how often?

Thanks!

1 Votes

Don't take the chance. I was randomly selected for a drug screen and marijuana was in my system. I lost my license, job and integrity. I took me a year and a half to get the. Back and 3 months to find a job. It's not worth it kid. Just remove those thoughts out of your head

2 Votes
Specializes in LTC, Management, MDS Nurse, Rehab.

I am also in the trouble with my BON due to testing positive to MJ. I made a medication error that led to a random UAs. I tested positive and was fired and reported to the NCBON. Testing positive to any substance you do not have a prescription for is treated the same. I lost my license for 1 year and now am on a probationary license. I have to drug test until i complete probation. All this over one MJ ciggerate.

2 Votes

Your acquaintances have simply been lucky so far. That could change at any time. They are choosing to gamble their licenses every time they smoke.

1 Votes

I am a medical marijuana patient and I thought with the card, my drug tests would not be an issue-- WRONG!! Nursing and Marijuana do NOT mix-- they IMMEDIATELY rescinded the job offer, and I cannot even apply for that facility or its subsidiaries for at least a year(if ever)

DUMB

DUMB

DUMB

Dont be dumb like me!

Now I quit marijuana (15 days in) and am waiting for a clean UA to even go out and apply for a job-- totally sucks cause I HAD A JOB OFFER :(

1 Votes

its horse manure that you can't smoke on days off. just horse manure.

2 Votes
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its horse manure that you can't smoke on days off. just horse manure.

Yesyes yes you've already given us your less than logical thoughts.

OP--why bother? If its legal, there are still separate RULES regarding its use and employment. 9/10 the "legality" rule just means the cops can't arrest you for having it in your possession. It does NOT mean that employers must hire you despite your "word" that you only smoke on weekends- how do they know that? They don't. So either smoke it and risk your license, or don't and move about happily and without fear of being caught!

Posting from my phone, ease forgive my fat thumbs! ?

1 Votes
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