Random drug testing in VA hospitals (Veterans Affairs)?

[Nurse Chef]

In the state of California, the consumption of marijuana is legal but still illegal by the federal level. I know that nurses can still get fired from the job if they are tested positive. Many people I know use marijuana for medicinal use which has been more effective than pharmaceutical medications and was wondering if anyone knows if the VA hospitals (Veterans Affairs) in the California Bay Area do monthly random drug testing's especially those in the RN New Grad Program.

Does anyone who works or used to work for the VA have experienced random drug testing in the VA?

I know some people may get upset from me asking this question. Some might say that "drugs are bad", "it's a bad example from nurses" or "just don't do it, period!". I just want an honest answer to know people’s thoughts and experience. Thank you.

 

[registerednutrn, BSN, RN]

I’m not in California but I do work for the VA and I know that they do reserve the right to random drug test but I have never have seen it done. But they do pre-employment testing.  I know that union plays into the drug testing as well. Someone else on here maybe be able to speak more about the VA in California 

 

[Lust4life, BSN]

On 8/28/2022 at 5:15 PM, Nurse Chef said:

In the state of California, the consumption of marijuana is legal but still illegal by the federal level. I know that nurses can still get fired from the job if they are tested positive. Many people I know use marijuana for medicinal use which has been more effective than pharmaceutical medications and was wondering if anyone knows if the VA hospitals (Veterans Affairs) in the California Bay Area do monthly random drug testing's especially those in the RN New Grad Program.

Does anyone who works or used to work for the VA have experienced random drug testing in the VA?

I know some people may get upset from me asking this question. Some might say that "drugs are bad", "it's a bad example from nurses" or "just don't do it, period!". I just want an honest answer to know people’s thoughts and experience. Thank you.

 

I don't know about the VA but in my experience, there's a pre employment screen and then after hire it is usually on suspicious. I'm just gonna say, that for anyone who pops for weed on a drug screen while trying to get a job or while on the job, you WILL be turned into your states monitoring program, if you have one, and the BON. Please know ALL the ramifications, collateral consequences, and what happens if you don't "volunteer " for it. Not lecturing but I just want all.nurses to be informed before something like a joint ruins their career, livelihood, life for aome.