Questions on random drug testing, specifically marijuana. All countries

talaxandra · Apr 14, 2009

There's no random drug testing in Victoria or, as far as I know, in Australia as a whole, unless you get in trouble with the board and that becomes part of your conditions of practice.

While I agree that there are numerous issues related to illicit drug use, a number of my colleagues use recreational drugs and I don't believe it affects their ability to provide quality patient care.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Apr 14, 2009

Wow, that takes stones to come out and admit something like that. I know our school doesnt do random testing but I also know it has a zero tolerance policy. Not worth the risk at all.

sullivan2 · Apr 14, 2009

Thanks, guys. I really appreciate the insight.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Apr 14, 2009

I suppose employers have a right to decide on whether to do any testing even if random but you need to think about the consequences if caught

maebe · Apr 14, 2009

I'm still a student here in Canada, so I can't say for sure. However, as a student, we were never drug tested and I have several friends who are nurses who smoke pot. In BC, it's practically legal, so I can't see that it's that big of a deal, as long as you don't smoke up before work.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Apr 23, 2009

choose another career. i don't want a nurse taking care of me who uses an illegal, mind-altering drug. i never used an illegal drug in my life.

one of my classmates, it turns out, used marijuana regularly and she died in a terrible traffic accident while stoned. i've seen a handful of nurses get arrested on the job for stealing narcotics from work. it's not hard to surmise that people who use illegal drugs are likely to also dip into the locked narcotic cabinet that also contains some of those illegal substances including cannabinol. a prudent employer won't hire you because lives depend on you having to make sound (and rapid) decisions on the job. you can't do that when you are stoned.

we could be called to submit to a random drug screen at any time at the last 3 places where i worked--any time. that meant drop what you were doing and report to the lab right this minute. if you didn't you were suspended pending investigation and then usually fired unless the reason was that you were involved in saving a patient's life.

Lin88 · Apr 23, 2009

What Daytonite said. And I'm not into wishing anyone ill will, so I would just ask that you refrain from joining the medical field in ANY capacity.

afranklin · Apr 23, 2009

And, to think, people like me, who would never engage in such behavior can't get

into a Nursing program because of a silly thing like not having an official copy of

a transcript!!

I hope you are seriously considering another field.

libnat · Apr 23, 2009

Oh the eeevvvilll demon weed striked again. I hope you find a place you can work. The entire world doesn't have our archiac laws on mj.

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Apr 23, 2009

You are not going to be able to get a prescription in California for MJ unless you are seriously, seriously, profoundly in need.

They don't write those like they do antibiotics. It's a really, big deal.

Please consider another profession.

To me, you have crossed the addiction line when your love of MJ takes priority over your ability to stop to secure a living.

You won't find a hospital in the USA that doesn't do drug testing.

bekindtokittens · Apr 23, 2009

In my nursing program, we were drug tested before we could do Psych clinicals at a state hospital.