Nursing school, drug tests and prescriptions for adderall, benzos, opiates, etc.

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Hello, the nursing school I was accepted into states that any student who is on a prescribed  controlled substance such as adderall, opiate or a benzodiazepine, etc needs to speak with the directors secretary and disclose this information to them and have a conversation about it.  She stated, “the hospitals don’t want anyone doing clinicals that have anything show up at all”.... the way she stated it could almost be interpreted as,  you may not eligible for the program if you are on these prescribed meds. 
 

Her statements seemed very misguided to me, to put it lightly. I can understand marijuana since that is federally still illegal but some of the listed prescriptions fall under treatments for disabilities and disorders and are very legal with a valid prescription. Her statement seemed borderline discriminatory andexploiting students to disclose their medical information. It was my understanding that if a drug screen comes back positive that the drug screening company will call you, get your prescription info and doctor info and verify it. Once verified they report the results as negative. I don’t see a need for students to have to disclose anything regarding their prescriptions or medical information besides physical clearance,  immunization and titers to the school.  Has anyone experienced differently?

Are hospitals not allowing students who take these drugs into clinicals now days? Wouldn’t that be deemed discriminatory? Is this statement the directors secretary made about students having to disclose their prescription information and medical information to her completely out of pocket? Have you experienced similar? How would you navigate this?

 

 Thanks in advance. 

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Specializes in Wiping tears.

Not just marijuana, it includes opiates. Check it here DEA.GOV 

Yes, I disclosed my prescription during the urine tests. I also do it for my employers because I'm on powerful steroids and still taking them and other medications. No problem at all. I don't take my medication in the hospital except for that one that needs to be taken during lunch or snack. I bring what I need, not the entire bottle.

I'm not a sheep. I just want  a simple life. My phone scares me.

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Yeah that's absolutely wrong of her to be making those statements.

You are correct on the process. Once a test is flagged positive it will be sent up to a licensed physician (Medical Review Officer) and they will reach out to your and verify whether the positive test can be explained with a prescription. My background check and drug test was done by Castlebranch, they do checks for many schools nationwide. I had to reach out to them after a couple weeks because I was getting nervous that they failed me and never got in touch. 

Also if you take meds like adderall for ADD or ADHD our school has to give you extra time on tests and special accommodations. So I am pretty sure she is violating some sort of Americans with Disabilities Act laws here by asking and singling out those students like that.  

 

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5 minutes ago, ratm said:

Yeah that's absolutely wrong of her to be making those statements.

You are correct on the process. Once a test is flagged positive it will be sent up to a licensed physician (Medical Review Officer) and they will reach out to your and verify whether the positive test can be explained with a prescription. My background check and drug test was done by Castlebranch, they do checks for many schools nationwide. I had to reach out to them after a couple weeks because I was getting nervous that they failed me and never got in touch. 

Also if you take meds like adderall for ADD or ADHD our school has to give you extra time on tests and special accommodations. So I am pretty sure she is violating some sort of Americans with Disabilities Act laws here by asking and singling out those students like that.  

 

Thank you. Castlebranch is who my school goes through as well. I'll  be reaching out to my disabilities office this week to let them know about her comments so no other cohort has to listen to that. Thanks again for your insight. 

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Specializes in Wiping tears.

If you have a prescription, unless it's sedative which you know not to take during the driving time, is not illegal. Taking it irresponsibly can take you anywhere in courts if you cause a problem. Use your best judgment. Just because it's prescribed, it doesn't mean that you can take it anytime except for a few of those medications you'll need on-site. You'll learn them in nursing school.

There are people who use illicit drugs. Frankly, I've never heard any school or teacher saying that no hospital or places wanted me because I take....I was told to not hide them during the drug tests to prevent delay or do the long way where I'd be held until clear. Doctor appointments alone are too long. Expecting my doctor to return calls instantly, I'd be too crazy not to know any better. ? 

My clinical instructor knows that I can't be delayed in my meals and other stuff, so she'd pull me out first. If there's still like 30 minutes before the break time, she'd tell me not to do anything that might take longer until I get my meals. I'm fine as long as I take my medications properly and consistently. Before, I was hesitant to disclose it which affected me negatively.

Some of my medications must be taken 60 minutes before meals and not at the same time. The others are during or after meals. So, I have my own little spot where my medication is safe, so I don't have to run a long mile for each of them. Easy. I could care less if everyone knows what I'm taking. To be honest, nobody cares. I do lock them though in case some strange people get adventurous.


 

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On 6/5/2021 at 2:26 PM, Nursemaybe said:

Hello, the nursing school I was accepted into states that any student who is on a prescribed  controlled substance such as adderall, opiate or a benzodiazepine, etc needs to speak with the directors secretary and disclose this information to them and have a conversation about it. ...

[...] 

Saying "the nursing school ... states" is rather ambiguous, who exactly are you referring to?  

On 6/6/2021 at 3:50 PM, Nursemaybe said:

... I'll  be reaching out to my disabilities office this week to let them know about her comments so no other cohort has to listen to that. ...

This is your best course of action.  And, if you haven't reviewed your school's student handbook yet, you might consider doing so before meeting with the disabilities office.  

Best wishes.

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Specializes in oncology.
On 6/6/2021 at 2:44 PM, ratm said:

Also if you take meds like adderall for ADD or ADHD our school has to give you extra time on tests and special accommodations. So I am pretty sure she is violating some sort of Americans with Disabilities Act laws h

I believe, but could be wrong, that medications alone do not guarantee extra time on college tests. Here is the ADA, best be familiar with it before  confronting someone citing a violation. https://www.ada.gov/regs2014/testing_accommodations.html

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Specializes in Physiology, CM, consulting, nsg edu, LNC, COB.
On 6/6/2021 at 3:44 PM, ratm said:

So I am pretty sure she is violating some sort of Americans with Disabilities Act laws here by asking and singling out those students like that. 

And … you would be wrong about that. Suggest to take the time to look up and read the ADA before you make an assertion about its content.
Schools sign agreements with hospitals to have students there for clinical hours. The hospital is within its rights to assure that their policies are followed by the school, its students, and its faculty in the building. They could, in fact, obtain a urine drug screen if they ask; the school knows this, and is letting every student know that the student who has a valid prescription for a controlled substance can save everybody a world of hurt if it’s disclosed to the proper person, in this case, the program direct’s secretary who will be compiling the relevant records. There is nothing “misguided” or “discriminatory” about this at all. 

You will have many jobs that will require drug screens in your professional career. This will just be the first. Welcome to the profession. 

On 6/5/2021 at 2:26 PM, Nursemaybe said:

She stated, “the hospitals don’t want anyone doing clinicals that have anything show up at all”.... the way she stated it could almost be interpreted as,  you may not eligible for the program if you are on these prescribed meds. 

“… could almost be interpreted as …”  “Almost” only counts in horseshoes.
No, what it means is, “If anybody doesn’t disclose it and we find out about it later, they are in for a world of hurt, so get with the program.” 

On 6/5/2021 at 2:26 PM, Nursemaybe said:

Is this statement the directors secretary made about students having to disclose their prescription information and medical information to her completely out of pocket?

I don’t understand what this means. It is not “exploiting” students in any way, either. It’s simple: if you take a controlled substance prescribed by a medical professional for a documented valid reason, they need to know it ahead of time. They’re not going to post it on the ride-share bulletin board or put a special tag on your name pin, it will be held confidential. Chillax. And do discuss it with the director’s secretary for clarification, from the person that knows all about it. 

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