Pre-admittance Drug Screen Concerns

Nursing Students Western Governors

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Hi all,

Background: I have been planning on applying to WGU's prelicensure RN/BSN program for some time now, chipping away at prerequisites between a surprise baby and working as a tech in a busy ER. I'll be transferring in a previously earned BA so it won't be my first go-round at college, though it will be a new experience.

Current concern: I know that WGU requires a pre-admittance drug screen, which they of course should... but I also know that I will fail said drug screen because of legal, long-term prescribed, physician regulated medications that are not an option to discontinue.

How will the school handle this? Does anyone have any experience? Is this a "Stop. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200 or a new degree" end point? I understand there could be very serious potential patient safety and legal issues regarding students using even prescribed medications in a clinical setting, but is there any leeway? Would a physician(s) note declaring me a model patient for all the many years they have seen me hold any weight? Or am I done before I've had the chance to begin here?

These are medications that are used only as directed, that I have been on for many years, that my current employer had zero issue with when I was able to produce current prescriptions for each and every one, etc. I only very recently had the realization that I might be in big trouble, having wasted a lot of time, energy, and money if my medications are going to end my journey. I have asked my admissions adviser for more clarification, but have yet to get any straight answers. If anyone can offer any insight, I would really appreciate it.

We do drug testing at my current work and as long as you have a CURRENT prescription with your name on it, regardless of the drug, you will be cleared. If admitted, remember to be extra careful throughout the program to keep up to date prescriptions with your current name and address (random drug tests DO happen) and ALWAYS disclose before you take the test that you are on a medication that will show on the test. I have heard of labs that even if you can produce a prescription after you failed, if you didn't disclose ahead of time you will still be failed.

And I would assume it is extremely illegal for a program to pick another candidate over you solely based on your prescriptions. That's discrimination! Besides, you are offered conditional acceptance before you even take the drug test and as long as you follow proper protocol to show proof, they will not revoke your acceptance for that reason. Good luck!

Thank you! The most current policy handbook from WGU that I could find sounded.... not so understanding. It stated something along the lines of: that if during a clinical setting your instructor felt you showed symptoms of being "under the influence" of *any* substance, the symptoms listed stretching from runny nose and a flushed face (those and a few others seemed a little ridiculous to me) to the nornal pinpoint/dilated pupils, that you would be removed from the clinical, drug tested immediately, face disciplinary action, etc.

Obviously if someone was on say, such a high dose of opiates they couldn't think straight or had slurred speech, that's one thing- and clearly dangerous. But I really hoped that while reading the policy that it was an example of an extreme case: undisclosed medication use, illegal substance use, abuse of prescription medication to the point of impairment, things along those lines- and not already disclosed, safely used, legal prescriptions. But I just did not know for sure.

At the same time I just could not imagine that WGU's nursing students -ever- were ALL magically free of depression, ADD/ADHD, chronic pain, migraines, neuropathy, seasonal allergies, common colds, etc... ;) I am glad I asked here, as my anxiety had definitely been getting the better of me the last few days.

Thank you all.

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Thank you! The most current policy handbook from WGU that I could find sounded.... not so understanding. It stated something along the lines of: that if during a clinical setting your instructor felt you showed symptoms of being "under the influence" of *any* substance, the symptoms listed stretching from runny nose and a flushed face (those and a few others seemed a little ridiculous to me) to the nornal pinpoint/dilated pupils, that you would be removed from the clinical, drug tested immediately, face disciplinary action, etc.

Yes, this type of policy is totally normal! It will be the same when you are a working nurse as well. If there is suspicion you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, a manager right then and there can march your butt down to the E.R. and have you tested in the middle of the shift. I've seen it happen and have seen tests come back both ways unfortunately! When it comes to a prescription medication, the policy will probably never go super in detail because it is such a case by case basis. Only you know the medications you're on, so be very honest with yourself and your doctor when deciding when it is appropriate to take this medication and if you can still perform your required job functions with 100% clarity while on the medication.

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I had interpreted it as, "Prescription or not, disclosed or not, if we find out you're on medication, you're out". Which in hindsight, doesn't make much sense and was probably me in a little bit of a panic over the story I read of someone allegedly being kicked out of their program due to the use of prescription medication. Case-by-case basis considerations is a lot more logical, and I appreciate you saying that.

I am under that same scrutiny about drug testing at work right now- in an ER, so it would be a short walk. :laugh: It is worth a chat with my doctors about what we might be able to cut down or cut out before being in a higher stress clinical situation though, and make sure they have no new concerns (they have not to this point whatsoever). That's a great suggestion. I will do that. Thank you.

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Schools typically are required to have a CMO - chief med officer that reviews any positive drug screens. The test is sent to this person, they call you when they get the result and say "Is there a medical reason for the positive result?" You say "Yes my RX number on the prescription is 1233445 or whatever it may be"

The school is never notified of the issue unless you have no reason or verification with the CMO.

That would be a violation of HIPPA and a HUGE conflict of interest.

Let me know if you have any more questions. I have taken a med that comes up positive in pre screenings and went through the process quite a few times without issue.

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Specializes in Outpatient/Clinic, ClinDoc.

Can't speak for WGU, but I did drug testing for a large hospital system a job or two ago. Adderall was fine, as long as you disclosed and had a valid current RX.

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That's a great suggestion. I will do that. Thank you.

Of course! Good luck! :)

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