Weed

[apsent1]

I was just wondering as a student are they testing you for nicotine? And If the weed is legal in your state are you risking losing ur license if shows that you are thc possitive?

[PhoenixSP]

Marijuana is not federally legal. Therefore, even though you can legally smoke it at home in some states, it says nothing of employment. Labor laws are federally mandated. So, just don't smoke if you want to be a nurse unless the laws change. Even if they do change, it's not a great idea if you want to provide the best care because it can make you careless even if you're not smoking at the time. Also, nicotine does affect perception. Just not in the same way as weed. I'd abstain from both. Smoking, in general, leads to COPD almost guaranteed! *Not trying to sound like a mom lol #Facts

[FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP]

If you are in doubt, ask! Ask what drugs are being tested for and the school's policy on marijuana use.

And to correct some erroneous comments:

1. No one cares if drink on your own time. However, you obviously can't show up to work impaired from recent ETOH consumption. ETOH is metabolized fairly quickly, so having a couple of glasses of wine after dinner is not going to show up if you take a urine test the next day.

2. ETOH is legal, and now marijuana is legal in some states. That doesn't mean it is ok to show up "high" to school or work, especially in healthcare. Marijuana takes longer to metabolize, so will show up on a drug screen for some time after usage. THC is a psychoactive substance and it affects mental processes.

3. Smoking tobacco is legal, but as others have pointed out, increasing numbers of healthcare organizations will not hire smokers and that is their right.

Again, ask!