Random Drug tests?

Do any of your schools do random drug tests? At my school we do, they do such an extensive drug test that certain prescription drugs show up on it, and if you don't have that on your records that you take that certain prescription medication you are out of the program. Just wondering if any other schools do this too?

[Maggie in NC]

Do any of your schools do random drug tests? At my school we do, they do such an extensive drug test that certain prescription drugs show up on it, and if you don't have that on your records that you take that certain prescription medication you are out of the program. Just wondering if any other schools do this too?

Now that is BS. What if you get depressed and they prescribe antidepressants in the middle of the semester? Are you suppose to run to the school and tell them?

I can understand showing your prescription as you take the test but it's really none of the school's business if you are taking medication-until it becomes necessary for them to know. Talk about invasion of privacy. How is a student assured their information will remain private? How do you know taking some medications don't automatically subject you to personal biased by whomever knows you're taking it??

:chuckle I have to stop, I feel a rant coming on.

[eph432girl]

well, first let me say that i am definately for random drug screening (and i don't think it happens enough in healthcare)... but, if you come up positive for a "medication" for which you have a prescription, i cannot see how you have broken any laws.

here is the scenerio: you have been in school full-time for 13 months, you have a husband that enjoys your presence once or twice a week for more than 3.2 minutes, you have children that you try to be a part of their life, you have a job, you have a house to clean, clothes to wash, etc, etc, etc...yada, yada, yada... burning the candle at both ends... and trying to find a way to insert a third wick. well, is it any wonder that ya might need a little short term zoloft to help out that much taxed seratonin? and, because of the 'stigma' and discrimination against people on ssris, you decide not to disclose your new med. so what if the school finds out - if they try to kick you out, i would soooooooo be in the attorneys office that same day!

and it is a medication - it's not like you are licking acid.... does society discriminate against wimps with crappy immune systems who cannot get rid of a simple strep infection and therefore need a "medicine" like augmentin to get them well - no! arrrrrrrrrrrr this gets me mad!

now, if you are are caught with street drugs or narcs (and you don't have a rx), then tough noogies - out on your can you go.

thanks for letting me vent

[AdobeRN]

A friend and I were just talking about this. My school does random testing once each semester. My friend (who is a lawyer) said that the school could not kick you out for something you have a valid rx for. She also said if they don't ask about current medications before the test - don't volunteer any info, let them find out and contact you, then show them your valid prescription.

[WickedRedRN, BSN, RN]

Hey, I just ran into this during orientation lat week. We were told the program does not require a drug test, but if there are suspicions, they will ask you to take a random test at your own expense. We were also told that some of the facilities we will do clinicals in will require drug tests within 30 days of entering the facility as these are new JCAHO rules. Of course, this will be at our own expense as well. I asked how much will these cost and never was given an answer. Any ideas??

[ileany11]

No they aren't kicking out if you have a valide RX... they arejust kicking out if you are doing illegal drugs. Iam totally for it b/c i don't think that if you are on drugs you should be taking care of others! I was just wondering if any other schools did this. I have nothing to hide therefore i have no problem giving them the precriptions that ai am on... they aren't keeping me from doing well in school.

[AdobeRN]

Hey, I just ran into this during orientation lat week. We were told the program does not require a drug test, but if there are suspicions, they will ask you to take a random test at your own expense. We were also told that some of the facilities we will do clinicals in will require drug tests within 30 days of entering the facility as these are new JCAHO rules. Of course, this will be at our own expense as well. I asked how much will these cost and never was given an answer. Any ideas??

Ours was $82 - but it was a combined drug test and background check. Our director had alot of people upset with her...we showed up for class one day and were handed a cup for a sample plus told to pay the $82 (cash or check only)right then. Over half of the class didn't have the funds available at that moment to pay. I certainly don't walk around with that much cash in my pocket, nor do I carry my checkbook with me to school. She then said to borrow from others in the class...yeah, right, I wasn't about to ask someone I have known for 2 weeks to borrow $82 nor would I have loaned money to someone I hardly knew!! Anyway, after all the complaining, it ended up working out in the end.

[ileany11]

Oh WOW I am pretty lucky then we don't have to pay for it... THANK GOD!!!!

[Mandylpn]

well, first let me say that i am definately for random drug screening (and i don't think it happens enough in healthcare)... but, if you come up positive for a "medication" for which you have a prescription, i cannot see how you have broken any laws.

here is the scenerio: you have been in school full-time for 13 months, you have a husband that enjoys your presence once or twice a week for more than 3.2 minutes, you have children that you try to be a part of their life, you have a job, you have a house to clean, clothes to wash, etc, etc, etc...yada, yada, yada... burning the candle at both ends... and trying to find a way to insert a third wick. well, is it any wonder that ya might need a little short term zoloft to help out that much taxed seratonin? and, because of the 'stigma' and discrimination against people on ssris, you decide not to disclose your new med. so what if the school finds out - if they try to kick you out, i would soooooooo be in the attorneys office that same day!

and it is a medication - it's not like you are licking acid.... does society discriminate against wimps with crappy immune systems who cannot get rid of a simple strep infection and therefore need a "medicine" like augmentin to get them well - no! arrrrrrrrrrrr this gets me mad!

now, if you are are caught with street drugs or narcs (and you don't have a rx), then tough noogies - out on your can you go.

thanks for letting me vent

shame on them! nursing school is the reason antidepressants were invented! :chuckle :chuckle :chuckle :chuckle

[Truly_Blessed]

We don't have random drug testing, but we do do have drug tests before a we start at a new clinical site, from wwhat i understand. So, everyone is aware of the exact time we will be screened. I do think we should have random drug testing...there would be a few ppl that were out the class so fast. I don't think they have any business being in clinicals. Downside: we have to pay for every single drug test this year. Yuck.

[jenrninmi, MSN, RN]

Not that I'm aware of. I don't even remember my school asking if I took any prescription medications. Although, I'm sure it was probably on the physical form.

[not now, RN]

We took a drug test (that we didn't know about) during orientation. After passing that the only time they will administer another random test is if the instructor suspects you're comming to class lit.