Random drug tests in nursing school?!

[Yolopilas]

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!!

[ComeTogether, LPN]

I mean the effects are out of your system, ie. no buzz. I worded that wrong.

Guess if you wanna be safe ya gotta grow your own. :-p

[BostonFNP, APRN]

I mean the effects are out of your system, ie. no buzz. I worded that wrong.

Guess if you wanna be safe ya gotta grow your own. :-p

You can't feel the buzz. The "effects" are still in your system.

[ComeTogether, LPN]

You can't feel the buzz. The "effects" are still in your system.

but you aren't affected by the effects, right? :-p

[BostonFNP, APRN]

but you aren't affected by the effects, right? :-p

Have you taken a pharm class?

[edmia, BSN, RN]

Have you taken a pharm class?

Have you ever smoked? (The above is rude by the way. I think we are all professionals who should be able to debate things, not put others down).

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

[BostonFNP, APRN]

Have you ever smoked? (The above is rude by the way. I think we are all professionals who should be able to debate things, not put others down).

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

I wasn't putting anyone down, I was asking for a baseline for responding.

It doesn't help to in terms of PK and PD unless there is some pharm knowledge.

[BloomNurseRN, ASN, BSN, RN]

My school required a drug screen prior to starting school and a drug screen prior to starting the second year after the summer off. As far as I know, no one had to undergo a random screening.

[Jessicainsantafe]

At our school, there are signs everywhere warning about drug testing and DUI's, and how it can affect your place in the program. You can also lose any grants you may have to help pay for school, too. My classes don't begin until August, but during our orientation in April, we were told that we will be drug screened right before the classes start. We were not informed about any random drug tests during the program, but I am sure that when the classes begin, this is an issue that may arise. Like most of the posters, I don't have a problem with random drug testing at this time in my life, but when I was younger, well, let's just say I would have been a little nervous.

Moonchild86 brought up a good point, though. What if you are on antidepressants, and do not want to divulge this information? It IS a slippery slope of sorts.

[genovese]

...as I am seeing more often in primary care, is that the street weed is cut/laced/mixed with other drugs.

This is not something that I personally witnessed, or found cause to suspect, in my own fun-filled high school days, though I can't rule out the possibility for others from more disadvantaged demographics. I'm curious how you came to this conclusion as a result of working in primary care, as opposed to, say, forensics.

[eyesopen_mouthshut, CNA]

I know this is talking more about the effects of marijuana/ other drugs in the providers system, but what about for the patient? Or should I just start a new board talking about it? Just curious... I haven't taken a pharm class, I got my pharm tech license from Walgreens after working and passing the state board, so I'm really interested to know what you guys think about marijuana being given to pts with critical illnesses? Hokum or helpful?

[benegesserit]

Why do you think it would be hokum? Many of the effects (ie. appetite stimulation, which can be lifesaving) are very well documented. But yes, start another thread, as that's totally off topic for this thread unless you're talking a nursing student/healthcare provider as the patient with a valid prescription for a marijuana-based product.

[jescalynn, ASN, RN]

If you have to worry about it please select a new career choice... I'm sorry that may be harsh but would you want someone under the influence working on you? Your child? Your parent?