Random drug tests in nursing school?!

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Just out of pure curiosity how many of you have underwent a random drug test during your program? Do these happen a lot? Or only when a student is being suspicious? I'm aware of the annual drug screening but not the random ones. Any insight please!!

Specializes in School Nursing.
You're right--I have nothing to hide. If you would like to search my car and have probable cause, go for it. Same goes for my house.

The difference is that in nursing and medicine as well, you take on a very unique type of responsibility for the lives of other people. While that isn't to say that driving and owning a home aren't responsibilities, it isn't reasonable to search the car and home of everyone in the country randomly, nor is it legal.

Probable cause is the key word here.. and random drug testing isn't probably cause-- now if there were mistakes or behaviors that prompted a screening, THAT is probable cause..

I would have a huge problem with police randomly searching my home or car, and I have nothing to hide (except maybe the mess of empty coffee cups and water bottles I need to throw away).

It scares me that you wouldn't.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Why should it scare the poster???

I understand the POV of "authority" HOWEVER, what SoliderNurse said...when you enter a realm of responsibility as in nursing, you are put under intense scrutiny for the safety of patients...whether we like it or not, we have a standard to live by, and the "responsibility" to ENSURE that the standards are held up need to be held up.

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If you're worried about random drug screening, just don't do drugs?? I knew a girl in my CNA course who was so upset when she found out there were random screenings, she quit the program. What, you can't go 6 months or 2 years without smoking pot in order to better your life? Ridiculous.

On the other hand, I know a guy who worked in ICU, he fell during a shift (not his fault, messed up equipment was later determined to be the cause) but he was upset because his screen came back positive for low does of amphetamine-- from his prescribed Adderall. He was cleared, of course, but it was a little bit of a hassle to get his prescribing MD to write a letter as to why he was on the medication and why it was not reported to the DON. Also ridiculous.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

Kick the habit.

Random spot check everyone.

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Specializes in Transitional Nursing.

I do support random drug testing but I also don't think it's anyone's business if I have to take PRN Xanax when I'm not working. I wish there were a way to keep it stictly between you and the doc, but I have to disclose to the nurse what meds I'm on and then I have to see her in passing. I don't think she has a right to know what im taking and why. Its between me and my doctor.

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Personally I don't do drugs, but I don't believe that occasional marijuana or hallucinogen use would make one a worse healthcare provider. Actually, it seems arbitrary to me. I think those who test positive for lighter drugs should be made to undergo additional evaluations to ensure they aren't addicted. However, then you're getting into dangerous territory since mental illness shouldn't be grounds for termination/expulsion... Hmm. Tough issue. I guess you just gotta draw the line somewhere.

So you would be ok with someone taking care of you or your family who smoked pot on their way to work? I wouldn't be ok with that.

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Specializes in Transitional Nursing.
So you would be ok with someone taking care of you or your family who smoked pot on their way to work? I wouldn't be ok with that.

I wouldn't be ok with it while they were working, but wouldn't bother me if they did it on their off time. I think it should be legal. *shrugs*

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I wouldn't be ok with it while they were working, but wouldn't bother me if they did it on their off time. I think it should be legal. *shrugs*

Someone who has been taking hallucinogens the night before a shift shouldn't be taking care of anyone whether they did it in their off time or not.

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Specializes in Transitional Nursing.
Someone who has been taking hallucinogens the night before a shift shouldn't be taking care of anyone whether they did it in their off time or not.

Marijuana is way out of ones system if they take it the night before and then sleep a regular amount. I have absolutely no problem with this what so ever. I think it would be far worse to down a six pack and come to work hung-over.

I don't think smoking a joint and going to bed has any worse effects than taking an ambien and going to bed. I don't smoke it since I value my job, but I wouldn't have issue with someone who did it recreationally, when they weren't working. Just as I don't think its a crime to have 3 glasses of wine the night before work. I don't think it would affect someones care unless the person was a total stoner. Hey--there are worse things that are legal that people do every day. I'm just saying. I think people have such an issue with it because its illegal in most states and if its illegal it must be bad.

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Specializes in Transitional Nursing.
It's the same reason I don't like taking my shoes off and having to choose between irradiation and molestation at the airport, .

I have no problem with this. I feel like its for my safety as well as everyone elses. Makes me feel safer while im there, like there's no way that guys got a bomb on him, I couldn't even get my nail clippers through!

You get just as much radiation or more on the plane itself.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

One acquaintance I know who is a CNA somehow purchased clean urine online to take to her drug test so she would have no traces of marijuana in her system. Completely ridiculous.

even MORE ridiculous for her to tell others.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

Marijuana is way out of ones system if they take it the night before and then sleep a regular amount. I have absolutely no problem with this what so ever. I think it would be far worse to down a six pack and come to work hung-over.

I don't think smoking a joint and going to bed has any worse effects than taking an ambien and going to bed. I don't smoke it since I value my job, but I wouldn't have issue with someone who did it recreationally, when they weren't working. Just as I don't think its a crime to have 3 glasses of wine the night before work. I don't think it would affect someones care unless the person was a total stoner. Hey--there are worse things that are legal that people do every day. I'm just saying. I think people have such an issue with it because its illegal in most states and if its illegal it must be bad.

THC is a fat soluble molecule that has a half-life of 48-72+ hours. As i am sure you know, it takes 3-5 halflives to clear your system. On top of that, as I am seeing more often in primary care, is that the street weed is cut/laced/mixed with other drugs.

Is it the most dangerous drug out there, no. Is it a risk for healthcare employees, sure.

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