pre-employment drug testing?

gfipgfip · Jul 7, 2006

In england the test is mainly only for cannabis and it isnt nation wide. not sure if it's a blood test or urine test though. it usually gets out of your system in 6 months, although i have heard, although this may just be a rumour, that pineapple/grapefruit juice (not sure which) gets rid of it much quicker.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2006

We do urine drug testing where I work. I think it's a good way to weed out impaired persons and don't have a problem with it.

LauraF, RN, ASN, CNA, LPN, RN · Jul 7, 2006

The places I have worked do urine screens. I'm not sure how they do it, but they must look for anything. I had to do one for my yearly a few days after I had my wisdom teeth removed. I got a call from the administrator that said if I didn't get in there with the prescription bottle for my Darvocet they were going to report me to the State BON. Needless to say as soon as hubby got home I was back up there with prescription bottle in hand.

mandana · Jul 7, 2006

I will be tested soon - urine and blood. Personally, I'm fine with it. There are some professions where I whole-heartedly support drug testing. For me, that list includes people who drive for a living, pilots, medical professionals and probably a few others that are escaping me at the moment. I think that in most professions it overkill to drug test everyone to catch a couple, but if a nurse can't abstain for a pre-employment drug screen, I think they are likely to need some real interventions for their own well-being.

Just my 2 cents.

Amanda

catlady, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2006

Well, I object, and I've never used any illegal drugs in my life. Never even tried a joint as a teenager in the 60s, nor have I ever had a drink of alcohol. I don't like the assumption that I'm a drug user and have to prove my innocence before I can go to work. If I have a record of drug history or show signs of impairment, then I should be tested. Our individual rights are being chipped away, bit by bit. Yes, patients have rights, but we have the right to be treated as a professional. It really has nothing to do with patient rights, anyway. Many companies drug-test their employees who have no direct impact on the public.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Jul 8, 2006

I have been tested for every job and every assignment that I have ever had, even many outside of health care.

It is part of life in these here Unisted States.

harley007 · Jul 8, 2006

If you have a MD's RX for a medication then you will be excused for a pos. drug test for that particular medication. I brought a note from my MD verifying this and there was no problem at all. Remember, you must go into this with complete honesty or you could have big problems. Especially if this is a chronic condition.

Why do so many nurses assume that there is a problem with impared judgement if your MD is aware of your work situation and you pass your employment physical? Reading this site, before my initial employment physical, had me scared senseless - No matter how much my MD reassured me. All that worry for nothing and I love my job!

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Jul 8, 2006

Personally, I feel that what people do on their own time is NONE of their employers' business, so I'm against drug testing in general. I think it's called for when there is a reasonable suspicion that a worker may be impaired, and obviously when there are narcotics missing. But random drug screens and routine pre-employment testing are, in my opinion, a violation of privacy and should not be a condition of employment..........I frankly don't care if someone goes home and smokes a joint or drinks a six-pack of beer every night, as long as they are in full control of their faculties when they come to work in the morning and can refrain from indulging their habit on the job. But, that's just me.

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Jul 8, 2006

I once failed a pre-employment drug test at a hospital in the early 90's. Human resources called me and told me they were revoking my job offer because I failed the urine test. I had a fit! I've never used drugs and I told them so. They told me that I tested positive for cocaine. I've never even seen cocaine! So I told them it was not possible and to do another test. They said ok, and did another test. But they wouldn't let me start my job like planned. I was working in ER admitting! I wasn't in direct patient care. They ran another test on the same sample and it came out just fine. So then they let me start my new job, but late. I ended up going without pay for 1 1/2 weeks after quitting my previous job.

I read recently that certain antibiotics can cause false positives for cocaine. That would make sense because I had been on an antibiotic for a sinus infection a few days before the urine test.

Anyway, those darn drug tests still stress me out - and I've never done drugs!

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Jul 8, 2006

In the UK the only personnel normally tested are the military. But when we come to the US we are urine tested for drugs after arrival and before we commence employment. This can sometimes prove difficult for UK nurses as we can buy codeine based pain medication over the counter and it is perfectly legal, yet it becomes illegal when we come over here. I have posted a stickie about this in the UK forum.

Urine testing is a an inexpensive none invasive acurate testing procedure, which can detect all forms of drugs.

TazziRN, RN · Jul 8, 2006

I think it's a necessary evil but because it is so commonplace now, everyone knows it's coming and most can get away with refraining from use for a few days before testing. As for invasion of privacy, I don't agree with that. Just because someone uses or drinks on their own time, it does not mean that they are not under the influence while at work. Someone can compensate for a long while before getting caught, would you like to take that chance with your health/safety or that of a loved one's?