URGENT question about pot smoking please read!

manna, BSN, RN · Aug 15, 2003

Around here, a drug test is a routine part of a physical exam for work/school. Have you already had your pre-school physical?

Agnus · Aug 15, 2003

Originally posted by DMR1
Hey everyone

I am starting nursing school in two weeks, and I was wondering if they do drug tests before or during the courses.

On occasion, some of my friends and I may smoke up for a bit. harmless, we BARELY do it, maybe a few times a year. BUT, I'm worried that perhaps I'll get screened and be denied into the program or something....

I don't have a criminal record, or anything like that. I'm just wondering if smoking pot could get you a denial into the course.

I am answering before I read what others have said to you.

You are in denial. Unless you get over your denial and face the facts of life squarely like an adult then you do not belong in Nursing. "harmless, we BARELY do it maybe a few time a year."

I guarentee you will find sympathizers on this board. Whether they agree or not they are in denial as well.

FACT it is NOT harmless

FACT it is ILLEGAL

FACT breaking the law is NOT HARMLESS

I will not provide you information to help you get around the law, nor around school policies so that you can become a nurse.

YOU SHOULD BE Worried. What worries me more about your using is NOT the fact you are using, but is the fact you will not acknowlege that it is not a harmless substance and that it is a Criminal act and there is no place in nursing for people who engage in criminal activity no matter how "harmless.". GET some help if you need to, inorder to get off it. If you don't need help then stop. If you can stop there is no reason for you to be posting such a question.

I know you will ignore me but I could not ignore your question.

P. S. I just went back after posting this and read your subsequent posts. What makes you think Alcohol is harmless? What makes you think it is O. K. to drink and work too?

If if is going to be decriminalized then Why are you worried? I think you already know the answers. Again I could not resist.

twarlik · Aug 15, 2003

Originally posted by Rustyhammer
Yeah, yeah, yeah!
It's illegal and they might test you.
One time a employer told me they were going to test me for drugs and I told them, "I smoke pot!" They waived the test and hired me anyway.
What I didn't tell them was that it had been 2 years since my last toke.
Once an employer sent out a memo with checks stating that signing this memo would give the administration the right to drug test employees at anytime and also the right to search their cars in the parking lot. I refused to sign stating I felt this was illegal as it was not a condition of my hire. They threatened to terminate me but a majority of the staff also refused to sign and rather than risk having no staff they dropped it.
As to would you want a pilot or MD or nurse treating you after smoking the night before....chances are that has already happened. Pot has become the acceptable drug of choice for most professionals, even above drinking. Yes you are impaired while you are partaking but there is no "hangover" or the same residual effects as alcohol.
I very rarely smoke anymore but if the mood strikes I may choose to do so. My time, my choice.
-Russell

Russel, you kick ass. Anyone who can be that up front with their employer is pretty cool in my book.

foreverhope · Aug 15, 2003

I am going to attend school in Waco, Texas. I know that they test on a regular basis for illeagal drugs. If you really want to go to nursing school and work as a nurse thereafter, you may consider quiting permenently. I wouldn't take the chance!!!

neneRN, BSN, RN · Aug 15, 2003

We had to be drug tested prior to entering the nursing program. The school sent us a letter close to the start of orientation, and a drug test had to be completed within 7 days of receipt of the letter. Once a semester, some students were randomly tested (An instructor would pick 2 or 3 letters of the alphabet out of a hat, and if your last name started with that letter, you were tested)

Eddye · Aug 15, 2003

you guys and gals are all CRAZY!!! no schools in the COUNTRY test for illegal drug use. as for that matter, no hospitals or other employers do either. so go ahead, fire it up!! recreational drug use IS important and you only live once right?! besides, on the OFF chance that one day (in the EXTREMELY distant future) if they do decide to test, they will only put you on probation anyways, IF they even catch you (big if there). GOOD LUCK IN SCHOOL! btw, if you dont get caught, please dont show up to work if anyone i know has to be admitted to your hospital. thanks! best of luck to ya! ciao.

debralynn · Aug 15, 2003

My school tested you. In fact we have a student this year, that 2 years prior, she got kicked out of the program for smoking pot. When we went on a school trip, even though we were adults and on our own after the seminar, we knew that if we drank, our instructors could at anytime do a drug screen on us. I agree with alot of the other posts! Why do it?

Grow up!

Todd SPN · Aug 15, 2003

While I feel that drug testing should not be an employers right, I do believe that since you are going into a nursing program you should start acting like a professional nurse.

twarlik · Aug 15, 2003

Originally posted by debralynn
My school tested you. In fact we have a student this year, that 2 years prior, she got kicked out of the program for smoking pot. When we went on a school trip, even though we were adults and on our own after the seminar, we knew that if we drank, our instructors could at anytime do a drug screen on us. I agree with alot of the other posts! Why do it?
Grow up!

Wait, are you telling us that they were testing you for alcohol use?

purplemania, BSN, RN · Aug 15, 2003

It is already interfering with your career, simply because of its presence and your inability to stop. You are going to have to decide what you want the most- a life or pot.

OC_An Khe · Aug 15, 2003

Most if not all employers will test for drugs as a condition of employment. Sooner or later the smoke must go or you are just wasting your time in school.

hobbes · Aug 15, 2003

Originally posted by DMR1
well thanks for posting your opinions on this matter, but it still doesnt' answer my question.

Do any schools test for this? I've never heard of schools doing this.

and also, I live in Canada, and pot will be decriminalized soon, which means you will only recieve a small fine. it won't be a criminal offense.

Dude,

While I'm not familiar with the laws is Canada, I think you need to step back at take a look at the bigger picture. Like it or not, smoking pot is going to cause others to seriously question your judgement. While you may not get kicked out if its found out, it will probably have a lasting impression on whomever finds out which may negatively affect you down the road. I don't think you want an indiscretion like that following you around for years to come. Just play it safe and don't do it.