How do you as nurses feel about "random" drug screens ? Especially when it is a "third" (unidentified) party making the request? The memo stated that a person might be picked once or several times and another person might never be picked. When this facility had several nurses under the jurisdiction under the Board of Nursing (drugs), random drug screening was never done except on hire and twice (in almost 9 years) when the count wasn't correct. The census drops, several nurses have capped out as far as raises and now all of a sudden the random drug screens appear. If I thought they were looking for street drugs, that would be one issue. Most people are not going to come to work under the influence of prescription drugs without a legal script. (Okay; I take that back. Some will.) My point is this: if the Director of Clinical Services is aware of a medical condition for which an employee takes appropriate prescriptions in an amount so as not to influence job performance why does a "third" (unidentified) party have an interest? Are employees medical records not protected under HIPPA ?
Don't get me wrong; I have no problem with drug screening of the entire staff if there is a suspected problem. It just seems wrong for a facility with employee records (including medical records) to start "out of the blue" with no explanation. Is this really "random" or trying to intimidate employees. I think at the least, an explanation is warranted.
It is no wonder nurses are getting out of the profession. It is not enough to take crap from doctors, managers and patients. Now unknown "third parties" are getting into the act. As some of us age and have chronic medical conditions, we have to take prescribed meds to function. No one wants a nurse who is dangerous...but as I keep going back to, how would a "third" party know?
We live in a non-union state and workers here have no rights. Personally, I believe this facility is trying to get rid of the nurses with tenure so they can hire nurses with less experience for less money.
I'm in favor of random drug screens for any professional that holds the lives of others in their hands. That goes for physicians, nurses, truck drivers, airline pilots, police officers, military. Just my
I'm in favor of random drug screens for any professional that holds the lives of others in their hands. That goes for physicians, nurses, truck drivers, airline pilots, police officers, military. Just my
Specializes in Med-Surg; Telemetry; School Nurse pk-8.
I'm in favor, considering how easy it is for someone to not "waste" and in turn be a detrimental care provider. As to the third party thing, I am also in favor of this. I do not believe it would be in the best interest of anyone to have co-workers and potentially friends do/read the tests. That would seem like conflict of interest and a potential moral dilemma on many levels.
And, yes. I remember Romper Room. Magic Mirror, I see Merri666... LOL.
It seems the real issue is the third party requests for the UA. Maybe they have a new insurance company for the facility and that is the third party, or the BON is investigating an individual or the facility (you said you had several nurses under supervision).
This third party issue still seems secondary to your distrust of the administration which you said changes frequently too. Maybe you need to go somewhere else.
I'm not a nurse yet, but my current profession uses a "third party" for drug testing. Here that means the company hires a third party to handle all of their urine screening. The urine screen company chooses who gets screened. This is supposed to make those chosen random, and thus more fair as no one is singled out by management. If you are on a medication and have a valid script, no worries. I personally would not worry, you are just a name or number to the screening company. I don't think they have access to your health records.
"Golden years"...umm. What is going to happen, "dude" when all of us "golden years" nurses get fed up and retire? If your post is any indication, hospitals will turn into "Romper Room" (we old folks will get that one).
My concern is that even though random drug screens are absolutely needed (sadly) at times and even appropriate, power in the hands of some is dangerous. Especially when you don't have a clue as to who that entity is. If a facility determines that for the good and protection of patients a random drug screen is warranted then it needs to be done. However, when an entity other than the facility has an interest, it seems suspicious. Especially since administration at the facility won't name the third party.
Follow Mr. Do Bee's lead and pee in the cup if requested. It is not some conspiracy aimed at destroying your soul. If anything, it is just another attempt for the government via a '3rd party company' to take more of your income. Morte, In Florida it is okay to pop positive for opiates on a drug screen assuming you can prove they have been prescribed to you. Attached is an example of Florida case law. The dude involved in this case was diverting hydromorphone, but had a script for hydrocodone. Probably would have gotten out of the charge, but the guy was also a pothead.
How do you as nurses feel about "random" drug screens ? Especially when it is a "third" (unidentified) party making the request? The memo stated that a person might be picked once or several times and another person might never be picked. When this facility had several nurses under the jurisdiction under the Board of Nursing (drugs), random drug screening was never done except on hire and twice (in almost 9 years) when the count wasn't correct. The census drops, several nurses have capped out as far as raises and now all of a sudden the random drug screens appear. If I thought they were looking for street drugs, that would be one issue. Most people are not going to come to work under the influence of prescription drugs without a legal script. (Okay; I take that back. Some will.) My point is this: if the Director of Clinical Services is aware of a medical condition for which an employee takes appropriate prescriptions in an amount so as not to influence job performance why does a "third" (unidentified) party have an interest? Are employees medical records not protected under HIPPA ?
Don't get me wrong; I have no problem with drug screening of the entire staff if there is a suspected problem. It just seems wrong for a facility with employee records (including medical records) to start "out of the blue" with no explanation. Is this really "random" or trying to intimidate employees. I think at the least, an explanation is warranted.
It is no wonder nurses are getting out of the profession. It is not enough to take crap from doctors, managers and patients. Now unknown "third parties" are getting into the act. As some of us age and have chronic medical conditions, we have to take prescribed meds to function. No one wants a nurse who is dangerous...but as I keep going back to, how would a "third" party know?
We live in a non-union state and workers here have no rights. Personally, I believe this facility is trying to get rid of the nurses with tenure so they can hire nurses with less experience for less money.
Opinions, please. :angryfire
When is it appropriate to start? Have to start somewhere.
Me, I've always said random drug screens need to be a part of the job. I'd feel safer. I hate fearing poor count numbers with the narcotics because someone has a problem and knows how to beat the system.
I dont know if getting rid of experienced nurses is their goal. They have another thing coming if thats their goal. Most places want to hire only people with experience right now, evidenced by the great number threads in here by GNs worried about getting work.
If thats their goal, they will lose out money wise. They have to train the new nurses, they will lose the leadership on the units and mistakes will increase. Its not going to save them any money.
Drug screens for employees of our facilities are handled off premises by a third party. I believe as mentioned by someone else that this protects our own privacy .
All employees as of this year in our system, if injured on the job have to have a random screen.
I found this interesting, but perhaps there was a concern that people who were being injured were also more likely to be under the influence.
Remember they are testing not only for drugs but also alcohol. Ever come to work and your co=worker was out late the night before partying?
For most of us random screens are never a problem. Go ahead test anytime, it will be negative. It is only a problem for a few .
I don't care- when I sign on to a facility in a professional career position, I make certain compromises- (some more of a sacrifice than others- but the drug issue is a non-issue as I'd be clean with or without random screenings). If it's a horrible inconvenience (as far as paperwork, wait time etc.), then I might take issue- but I gotta 'go' anyway- if they want to have some of it in a cup- well- whatever. They're paying me- I'll pee wherever they want me to pee.
Seriously though- medical professionals have a tremendous responsibility for the lives and wellbeing of others- I think it's certainly reasonable- and I'd even think that *regular* drug tests wouldn't be out of the question.
I'm all for it, if it starts with the CEO and goes all the way to the guys taking out the trash. My dad worked for Home Depot, and they got tested at his site monthly after someone was stoned and driving a forklift in the store.
i'm FOR random drug screens. hopefully it scares people not to dabble in something they shouldn't. you can NOT be fired for testing positive with an Rx. you CAN be fired for testing positive with an Rx AND acting in an impaired manner (slurred speech, tripping over yourself, acting abnormal, whatever).
FireStarterRN, BSN, RN
3,824 Posts
I'm in favor of random drug screens for any professional that holds the lives of others in their hands. That goes for physicians, nurses, truck drivers, airline pilots, police officers, military. Just my