any paths in nursing that don't require random drug screening?

SiennaGreen · Oct 23, 2009

I am thinking that any position that requires patient care/contact and med/drug contact would certainly require testing. Seriously, teaching might be the only nursing I can imagine you could do without the threat of regular testing, and that is likely not true. Plus, nurse education requires an advanced degree, so that ends up being many, many years when you're under the threat of testing. Insurance rep? (not if they give you a car, they will test) Same for drug rep.

Do private drs offices randomly test their employees?

Trauma Columnist · Oct 23, 2009

In any position in nursing, you CAN be randomly tested. In almost 18 years of nursing, I've been tested when there was a narcotics mis-count on three separate occasions in three separate states.

No type of nursing (including education) is exempt.

HM2VikingRN, RN · Oct 23, 2009

We can't offer this type of advice for TOS reasons.

(Professional nurses are held to a high standard of accountability and integrity. This standard of behavior is upheld by the reputation of nurses as exhibiting behavior beyond reproach. Drug testing protects our profession and its reputation.)

thinking about it · Oct 23, 2009

I am thinking that any position that requires patient care/contact and med/drug contact would certainly require testing. Seriously, teaching might be the only nursing I can imagine you could do without the threat of regular testing, and that is likely not true. Plus, nurse education requires an advanced degree, so that ends up being many, many years when you're under the threat of testing. Insurance rep? (not if they give you a car, they will test) Same for drug rep.
Do private drs offices randomly test their employees?

Kudo's, siennagreen, thank you for your honest and thorough response. I was thinking more along the lines of nursing home work in the future. I had even heard that some California nursing homes work with medical cannabis patients, though I suppose that is no guarantee the company policy is similarly liberal towards its' employees.

Thanks again.

allnurses Guide · Oct 23, 2009

I'm just going to try to answer this the best that I can. Nursing is a field in which personal responsibility and critical thinking is stressed SO much, that I honestly can't imagine anywhere that wouldn't at LEAST drug screen immediately post-employment.

Keep in mind that there are other fields as well that you may work in, where you may encounter random drug screens. I once worked at a printing factory where they announced one day that they were going to begin random drug screening.

thinking about it · Oct 23, 2009

In any position in nursing, you CAN be randomly tested. In almost 18 years of nursing, I've been tested when there was a narcotics mis-count on three separate occasions in three separate states.
No type of nursing (including education) is exempt.

I see. I guess it's a constant risk, and thus, probably not the path for me. Thank you.

We can't offer this type of advice for TOS reasons.
(Professional nurses are held to a high standard of accountability and integrity. This standard of behavior is upheld by the reputation of nurses as exhibiting behavior beyond reproach. Drug testing protects our profession and its reputation.)

Hmm. I don't see how the TOS(which I read pretty thoroughly)is violated by my question, but either way. I think I've heard all I needed to hear.

Thanks either way!

Trauma Columnist · Oct 23, 2009

Glad you got your answer - I will close this thread for you!