i am or i was a nursing student until i was removed pending an appeal because i have a medical condition that requires i take a medication that is screened for in a random drug screen. i previously worked in the aircraft field. i am a usaf disabled vet who wants to work in the nursing field. by the way i was in the panama conflict (just cause) and the gulf war. i recieved several medals while on active duty and i am also listed in the national deans list. they removed me from my classes the day before veterans day. i was hoping i could find information about drug screening policies related to nursing jobs. i was told by the nursing staff at my college that all hospitals and clinics require that all nurses that have to take controlled substances at any dosage have to give up their jobs as nurses until they become free of any prescription that fall in the category of controlled substances that are in the classes that are screened for in a drug screen. i have been taking for close to 10 years a low dose of a medication for pain. i have been evaluated by my physicians and cleared to do all of the essential functions of a nurse. i have invested three years only to be told i should go into some other field of study. i know there are a number of nurses that feel pain medication is not the answer for chronic pain, but i have gone from being confined to a wheel chair to being able to keep up with my fellow nursing students because of a low dose of medication. i know pain can ruin lives and some people have lost their lives resulting from the use of medications, but each person is different. one reason i wanted to become a nurse was because of the encouragement of my pain clinic nurse to follow the treatment plan and never give up. if i loose my fight to become a nurse i can say the fact that i was spurred on to make something of my shattered life by this wonderful nurse i will still be a healthier and happier person because of the struggle. i know numerous pain patients who i have become friends with that have given up the fight to go on to be productive citizens because of the obstacles put up by some well meaning employers and educators. some of these people have lost their fight with pain and have to be continually dosed higher with pain medications just to be able to live. they also have to take numerous other medications because of the depression and the anxiety their condition causes.
Specializes in home & public health, med-surg, hospice.
I fall under the protection of the ADA. While a program is required, by law, to provide assistance, to me, in meeting my educational goals, they may still drug test me. And if found to have any substance, that is illegal, my %$& is grass.. And I would not be protected under the ADA. The protection is granted under the disability, not any legal or illegal drugs.
Grannynurse:balloons:
Your "%$& is grass" was my mom's favorite saying! :rotfl:
Yeah, I wasn't talking about actually having to take a drug test, that's legal of course. It's just my understanding that he tested (+) for something he had a rx. for (and also disclosed this info. to the school prior), thus making it not illegal. That's where I believed he could be protected by the ADA b/c it was legal.
Rob, I have several of concerns about your post here on the site. My first concern if the validity of the incident. If you were expelled from nursing school, was it due to the pain medications with a valid rxs, dr's who were valid as well as prescibe the medication for what dx?
My second concern is the lack of help you are seeking from the site here and the continous avoidance of answering the posters questions. I believe I would be asking for assistance and if anyone give pointers on how to deal with the incident occurred.
My third concern how many people would be affected by your post if you gave incorrect information to the site? Especially, you are speaking about disabled, vets, sex, and most of all, your character as a young man.
My fourth concern is the back lash to this school who discharge you on the basic of assumptions and your usage of precribe medication. I can see your side only and I would like to hear their side.
My fifth concern is this incident did not receive media cover at all.. The media would pesent the incident and have numerous coverage on your illegal
The sxith concern is the lack of emotions display by you. I would be displaying angry, sadness, cussing and all types of emotions.
The seventh concern is why would you return to the associate dean's office to apply for a appeal without legal representation?
I am concern about your post and how it will affect everyone on this site who cares as nurses. No one deserve to be hurt and lied too. Please think about your post and effect it will have on those who are supporting you.
Oh, let me clear the air here. I feel something is wrong in my heart. I believe it is a scenero being presented here. In addition, so many resolutions were given and no results. I am surprise by the lack of attention by the original poster. I do not want anyone to pull the wool over anyone eyes just for attention. The poster alleges the nursing school expelled him for the usage of prescribed narcotics for pain and alleges the grounds of explusion was do to literature by nursing. Therefore, I am lost with this post and the resolutions given to him.
Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.
drug screens are in place to identify individuals who are taking drugs that have no rx. as far as i know when you test positive for a substance and there is a script in place you are covered. i do not remember being tested in school for any illegal substances because there is no reason to, you do not carry narcotic keys as a student and should be supervised in med prep and administration. so something is not right with the story or the action. what was the reason you all were tested?
we have to provide a drug screen each year in my program and are also subject to random testing. the theory behind this, imo, would be to ensure that you are not introducing current drug abusers into nursing, where they will have indirect access to the patient's narcotics during school, and direct access once they obtain a license. i think it is appropriate and certainly serves a purpose. however, the test is meant to discover illegal abuse---which does not include the use of medication with a valid prescription.
Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.
Your "%$& is grass" was my mom's favorite saying! :rotfl:
Yeah, I wasn't talking about actually having to take a drug test, that's legal of course. It's just my understanding that he tested (+) for something he had a rx. for (and also disclosed this info. to the school prior), thus making it not illegal. That's where I believed he could be protected by the ADA b/c it was legal.
You are right on the money with this one. He has a disability for which he must receive Rx medication to maintain a normal level of functioning and comfort. It was disclosed before the initial drug screen. Then when he tested positive on the random drug screen for the same drug his ability to perform as a nurse was not only question but so was his integrity and intentions. It was inappropriate for the drug control officer to imply that he would be more susceptible to abusing narcotics and taking pt narcotics, thus being the 'reasoning' behind his dismissal. This wreaks of discrimination and unfairness....putting the cart ahead of the horse so to speak. The school has every right to require drug testing and random testing, but they can not label someone a drug abuser for a valid prescription medication for which they are being monitored by a physician. I question this school's decision and think Rob is doing the right thing here.
I do agree about the usage of illegal drugs should not be used by nursing students or anyone. The drug screenings do serve it purpose and I would not mind to submit to one any time or day. I do not have a problem with the school having a policyto protect the students and others.
However, I do have a problem with validity of a post that seems to be a scenero that is an ethical situation. That is my concern as a person who is in the nursing field about this poster.
Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.
Hello, Everyone
Yes, Asoldierswife05
I do agree about the usage of illegal drugs should not be used by nursing students or anyone. The drug screenings do serve it purpose and I would not mind to submit to one any time or day. I do not have a problem with the school having a policyto protect the students and others.
However, I do have a problem with validity of a post that seems to be a scenero that is an ethical situation. That is my concern as a person who is in the nursing field about this poster.
Confused, Buttons
If you have any questions about the validity of the post, then hopefully the OP will address them. Personally, I am taking this one at face value and giving input based on the info given. It seems he has been wronged and is looking for advice, pursuing the issue with one foot in front of the other. If he has a valid claim, then it will be dealt with accordingly. If not, and he has provide false information I don't see how this hurts the site because all the posters have provided excellent information and courses of action for someone who does face such a scenario.
To the OP-get a lawyer. They are the best ones in this situation to know if you have been wronged. They will be more familiar with your state laws & policies and also know federal inside and out too.
Your "%$& is grass" was my mom's favorite saying! :rotfl:
Yeah, I wasn't talking about actually having to take a drug test, that's legal of course. It's just my understanding that he tested (+) for something he had a rx. for (and also disclosed this info. to the school prior), thus making it not illegal. That's where I believed he could be protected by the ADA b/c it was legal.
Hmm, your mom must be around my age:wink2: Generally, if a person has a legal prescription, has made it known, it is generally not held against an individual, as long as he is not showing any signs of impairment. Unless he is listed as a former drug addict, I do not believe he is protected under the ADA. But I am not an attorney and I will research it and get back.
I'm not getting this..someone help me understand...now the OP tested pos. for a drug, yet the OP has a prescription for....what's the problem? Why did the OP get kicked out of school? I'm lost. Forgive me this is finals week lol
I am glad to answer the questions posed by Buttons. I also want to thank Buttons for the opinion this member is asking. Not only am I seaking advice and I am getting a lot of wonderful advice, I am also seeking the opinion of all. I know before I go to the news media if this has to go to that level I want to know what kinds of feelings this story will generate. I know the first opinion most people have is a feeling of distaste. Please forgive me for my writing skills. Over the period of time I have been recovering from the accident that put me in this situation of constantly dealing with pain I have had friends and relatives voice heir non medical opinions. Because of the pain and the medications I have been prescribed these people have constantly been giving their opinions. Most people who I have had contact with have flatly told me I am nothing but a big baby who wants nothing more than to sit around and take my drugs and stay HIGH. Some others have focused more on the fact I have been on the "governmental dole" and they have told me their hard earned taxes are paying my bills. I harbor no ill feelings for anyone. One of the people who has been so harsh on me was my closest friend who I have a great deal of love and respect for. We grew up together and I have been close to his wife and parents and kids. One day a couple of years ago he called me and said he injured himself at work and he said he wanted to apoligize to me. He ownes his own business and until he got control of his pain and learned to change his life his business suffered to the point he told me he did not think he would be able keep his business. I have learned over the years I don't have time enough to "get emotional" I have to focus on what I can do and not how I can feel mad toward people.
When the question is asked about the validity of this story all I can say is you have to trust my story or call the school. I felt I should not reviel the name of the school because of something I read about naming names on this site since it is a public site. I am not an attorney I am scared of making mistakes. If you post to me in private I will give you the name of the school as well as more personal information.
I have answered questions to individuals who have sent me questions by way of private mail on this site. The question I think you may be wondering about is what kind of medication I tested pos+ for. The medication is an opiate type pain medication. I dont want to go farther. The situation that brought me to this point was that the nursing school says they are sticking to their opinion of their policy of expelling anyone who test pos+ for any of the drugs regardless of the fact someone may be prescribed the medication. One thing that was said in class from the instructor who initiated my expulsion was that if a student has to have dental work, that if the student chooses to take a pain med that is on the list they are taking a chance if they use the medication and come to class. She said if the person is sent for a random test and the medication is still in the students system the student will be dropped regardless if there is a prescription. The drugs on the drug policy are as follows. (1. Amphetamines (2. Barbiturates (3. Benzodiazepines (4. Cocaine (5. Marijuana (6. Methaqualone (7. Opiates (8. PCP (9. Propoxyphene (10. Methadone (11. Ethanol (12. OR OTHERS. The policy goes on to read "The fact that a student has a prescription for one or more of the classes of drugs which are legally prescribed by a healthcare practitioner does not necessarily, in and of itself, excuse the student from the effect of this policy." It also says "Prescription drugs prescribed to a student by an appropriate health care practitioner may nevertheless be subject to abuse and may give rise to reasonable suspicion testing or incident testing."
I feel that they are reading their policy different than it is written. They would not even look at the prescription I have for the medication. They did not ask if I would give them proof I am not impared while on this medication. I was ready and willing to provide proof via a "Micro-cog" test along with statements from my doctors. I contend that if the school wants to know if I am a threat to abusing my medication or a threat to diverting medication I could show a 13 year history of following the doctors orders to the tee. In my pain clinic all of this is detailed in their records they even give drug test to make sure the patient is taking the medication so to rule out the medication from being diverted to someone who is not prescribed the medication. During my years of taking medication I have had to be careful not to let other know I am taking medication or what type. People who have found out I take pain meds and some of these people have begged me to share the med. Some times some have become hostle when I say no. I have had people actually cry and go into great detail about their condition and the reasons their doctors did not write the prescription. I have been very moved but I have said no.
About the backlash to this school. I dont really understand what you are asking but the way I see the situation is they feel they have no reason to change from their opinion. I am only seeking for them to consider their obligation to me as a student who has spent my money and attended classes to get me to the point where I started the nursing school. I contend that because of their encouragement for me to attend their nursing school and the fact my advisor knew of my medication before I applied for the school and the fact they did not inform me of the stringent policy when I had time to apply to other schools who do not have this policy towards prescription medication that I am being cheated in some way. I feel I have a valid reason to protest I am just not sure of how to go about it.
And the question about getting legal representation? Money and the fact as a disabled person since 1992 I have very little. Lawyer money - money lawyer.
I hope Buttons can explain what you are refering to when you say that I am affecting the people on this site. If I am hurting someone here I want to understand and try to not let any harm come to any here.
I am still working on resolution of this problem. I am taking all the advice I am given and thinking hard on it. Some advice has already been tried and some I have not been able to use at this time. I am very grateful for all the letters be they for or again me.
Buttons, you said you were confused or lost about my post. Please believe me I feel the same way. I have never been in a situation I felt so lost or out of control. Even after I had a fusion of my spine I woke up to the feelings I could get better if I put my all in my recovery. Right now I feel like I am at other peoples mercy. I hate that feeling. Going into the REHAB thing I thought I could do what ever I wanted to do if I tried hard enough and studied hard enough.
We will see, unless the group here would rather me say good by.
Thanks All,
Robert, in Alabama
PS. All nurses are good.................except for that one who gave me that shot in my butt with the really big needle. Shame on you!
Everyone has the right to their opinion about any issue on this site and in reality. No one is asking you to leave at all.
I just feel something is incorrect here. I know the ADA always represent a person who has a physical, emotional, mental and learning diabled individuals. In addition, lawyers who have a great reputations do not take money up front. Therefore, you are cover by an organizations and a lawyer.
Secondly, I am saying that people are supporting you about your situation and if it comes out in the wash that it is not true. Than it may prevent someone else to be help and people may feel skeptical. As everyone can see I use the word MAY. It is so easy to pull the wools over someone's eyes because it is the net. Therefore, that is my concern of having people will legitmate problems, issues, and concerns to be addressed.
Thirdly, this site is not immune for people that want to play a game with other people's feelings. Everyone should be careful and have safety measures in place as well.
Fourthly, the Board of Nursing should be involve in your case as well. This would be consider a high profile case. In addition, the Board of Nursing has given their framework and policies that a school of nursing must follow. Therefore, How come the board of nursing in your state not notify about this situation?
I do have some knowledge about the ADA, BON, Accreditation, and the Law.
I just feel within my heart that something else is going on here than you are saying. One day everything will come out and then we all will know.
Kelly_the_Great
553 Posts
Your "%$& is grass" was my mom's favorite saying! :rotfl:
Yeah, I wasn't talking about actually having to take a drug test, that's legal of course. It's just my understanding that he tested (+) for something he had a rx. for (and also disclosed this info. to the school prior), thus making it not illegal. That's where I believed he could be protected by the ADA b/c it was legal.