Should a nursing student be given a 2nd chance if they have a positive drug screen

[PEBBLES1]

If a nursing student is caught with a positive drug screen do you think they should be given a second chance? should she be kicked out of school? Ok so here is the story, my classmate has got be the dumbest person ever? She went to a physical exam for a job and she was reeking of alcohol. She said they did a breath test on her and it came up positive. Now this is where the story is really interesting, they also did a drug screen on her and she is worried that it will come back positive for marijuana and if it does, the place of employement will notify the school and their is a possibly that she will be kicked out of the nursing program. She claimed that she doesn't smoke weed all the time, however, if you are a once and a blue-moon smoker I think it can take upto 6 months to get out of your system providing that you don't smoke again for awhile. I know, at my place of employement, we do have nurses who have been caught in the past for drugs or pills and they have to go through rehab program and then, they have to call a number every morning and they may have to report for a drug screen. It does vary, they could report everyday or once a month. So my question is should nursing students be given the same chance as a RN who was caught doing drugs?

[sissiesmama, ASN, RN]

Hi Ilovemypuppies, human resources notified the school about her coming to a physical smell like Ned the whino and positive drug screen. The only reason she was crying and upset is because she got caught and she felt stupid.

Oh, gotcha. Well, I hope she can maybe get some help she obviously needs from this situation and find something positive from this. For her sake, as well as any future patients she may someday have.

Anne

This may sound horrible, and I don't mean it to be, but she should have felt more than stupid!

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I'm going to go against popular opinion and say that with regards to giving a 2nd chance to a nursing student who failed a drug test, it would depend on the indivudial situation. People make mistakes. And after all, the nursing profession takes the stance of trying to help nurses with drug/alcohol problems when possible, instead of kicking them to the curb. I don't see why the same helping hand shouldn't be extended to nursing students...again, depending on each individual situation. I do agree that the person should NOT be in school until they have cleaned up their act and gone through recovery.

I'm sure I'll be flamed for this position...so all I ask is that you go see AN's Nurses in Recovery Forum to read about more than a few of our own members who are in recovery and what progress they're trying to make, before you light the torch. Because honestly, is it really any different if it's a nurse and if it's a nursing student?

In this case, however, I would say No: this particular person the OP refers to does not deserve a 2nd chance. What she does on her own time is one thing. Bringing her liquor-bender to the workplace, school or clinical site where she can endanger the lives of patients and her coworkers is inexcusable.

[caliotter3]

When the instructor discussed this student with the class it was very inappropriate and unprofessional. Discussing the topic of being mentally fit for duty should have been reserved for the appropriate time in the curriculum without the addition of discussing a current student's personal situation. If the instructor wanted to discuss this subject or allow the students a time to ask questions or vent, s/he should have prefaced the discussion with the admonition not to discuss anyone by name or direct reference. It is quite possible to discuss "drunk on duty" without bringing up names.

[PEBBLES1]

Hi Caliotter3 it wasn't inappropriate for the instructor to discuss this student. It was already going around in the school and most of my classmates was concerned about what would happen to her. The night that she was pulled from class is the same night that we as her classmates found out, so we as a class already knew the situation. We just wanted to know what her options was rehab or dismissed from the program. My instructor didn't know, however, my instructor & I felt that she should be dismissed from the program for the rest of the year, get her some help and allow her to re-apply next year. Also, while in school given random drug & alcohol test. When she get a job, she should still be given random drug & alcohol testing. Believe it or not she is very book smart, she just doesn't have any common sense and she made some bad judgements. I think if given the chance, she could be a good nurse. She is very caring person. Who knows maybe she was dealing with some personal issues. You never no what someone is dealing with at home or work. But, whatever the case maybe she is in trouble big time. I just hope that this situation will prompt her to get it together.

[Sully, RN]

Sounds like she needs to take care of her own issues before she is given the responsibility of caring for others.

[sissiesmama, ASN, RN]

Meriwhen - I agree with you, you shouldn't get a flaming for an opinion such as yours. Every situation is different, and every person is different. I believe each person deserves a chance to see if they have a problem with addiction or if there were truly some circumstance that needs to be addressed instead.

I am one of those nurses on the recovery forum that you mentioned, and I know when I had a positive drug screen and placed in the state's BON program, I people turned against me as if I had eboli or something, like if they were too close to me, they would catch it - I lost friends, my boyfriend at the time, my job, my health and life insurance, my reputation that I had worked so hard through school and after finishing boards. Even my father was so upset that he in anger, disowned me, of course that lasted for about an hour, it was just his disappointment and confusion as to what would have caused me to do what I did.

I was so appreciative of the nurses attitudes such as yours, that helped so very much. I, like we had both said, I believe, that we all deserve second chances. Individual circumstances vary. In this student's case, she sounded like she did need to be placed in rehab, but not necessarially reentered in the nursing program if she were successful and the addictionologists and counselors approved ir, but now, she just didn't need to be trying to become a nurse, if she couldn't or wouldn't do whatever it took to overcome her problem if that were her situation. If she doesn't care, sounds like she may need to find another line of work where lives weren't at stake.

Anne, RNC

I can thank all the supportive family and friends and other nurses that gave me a chance to credit for my almost 10 yrs of recovery.

[inland18mempire]

Given the circumstances of THIS case, I would say no. It's awfully foolish to show up to a physical physically and mentally impaired! If she's retarded enough to do this, then she's retarded enough to show up to work drunk. With that said, I think she has a drinking problem. In that case, it's not nice for me to call her retarded if she has an addiction.

If a student has a random drug test result of alcohol or something like that and are in good academic standing, then I say give them another shot.

Nursing schools almost NEVER randomly drug test a student unless there is sufficient cause. As you can imagine, drug tests are at the expensve of the school and they never, ever want to spend money when it is not needed. For the most part, "random drug screens" are a scare tactic used by nursing schools. Just don't show up impaired!

[sissiesmama, ASN, RN]

Inland - I know! That's what I had been thinking, what was she thinking? I mean, showing up there inxicated? Then getting upset because she was going to be removed? If she was already nursing she can bet that she would be in a program and all the stupulations along with it.

Anne

[caliotter3]

That student can choose to sue the instructor as well as the school for the inappropriate discussion of her personal physical state. Mental health, including drug and alcohol program status, falls under a special confidentiality edict apart from regular health issues. Engaging in and encouraging gossip is not considered professional behavior. An instructor who does this can not be trusted not to gossip about any other student. Not professional, not appropriate.

[Mr Ian]

I say YES!

And not only that... Immediately promote this student to a Management position.

She's got most the competencies already.

Just to make a sensible comment...

Thanks for the update but I am really shocked that a faculty member felt that it was appropriate to discuss this woman's personal business with the clinical group.

That student can choose to sue the instructor as well as the school for the inappropriate discussion of her personal physical state.

Initially my 'reaction' to raising the discussion in lecture was "No!? He didn't ? Yes! He did! Ooooooh!"

But I think it needs wider thought. Of course it's wrong to discuss individual's personal business in public - but it was fairly obvious to all, including the tutor, what was going on.

I think the tutor may have bravely and conscientiously taken the best option -

Who do you think was going to be concentrating on "the function of the gall bladder"?

So in one way, it helped to deal with the subject so the rest of the students were able to quickly get back to learning.

It also gives the students an opportunity to learn how we critically analyse and formulate opinion about 'people' - an exercise in self-awareness.

It also probably helped - if not saved - the other 99% of the group who may have a similar problem - a reality check if you will. And a preventative measure for future thought for all of them.

When it comes to such decisions, there are not "right" and "wrong" answers - just opinions. And we formulate a consensus opinion by arguing out the issues.

By addressing the issue directly the whole event has been 'aired'. If it wasn't it might ripple through the cohort immeasurably and cause more damage in it's wake.

I think the tutor was thinking about the remaining students well being.

[la mama 310]

I would say no. Because being a nurse is a BIG responsibility and you have access to many drugs and "pills" that are so abused and addicting. It takes

a level of maturity to know that these are off limits because your job and

patients health is your FIRST priority. I think it takes YEARS to recover from

drugs, even pot.

[Fermin Hernandez, ADN, ASN, RN]

Your friends a wreck but...

If the employer tells ANYONE the results of the test, then she needs to sue them. I bet the paper she signed before the test states they will not share the info....