Weed and work.

[LDAthleteNurse]

A classmate of mine is a heavy cannabis user. To the point where he has not even applied for any positions yet because he is certain that his pre-screening drug test will come back positive. He says that he just has to stay clean long enough to pass the drug screening because "hospitals hardly ever drug tests to nurses."

How true is this? How often are nurses screened at YOUR facility? I was going to ask my preceptor, but I think me asking will look weird..

[LPNtoRNin2016OH, LPN]

I don't understand why some people say weed isn't addictive when there are thousdands of nurses every day who risk their licenses for it. I just don't get it. I don't have a problem with weed in itself really, I don't care as long as your not driving or in a safety sensitive position, but it just amazes me what people are willing to give up for it! I should note I have a bit of a negative image of it due to my sister literally frying her brain on it to the point she had a psychotic break (yes it can happen with chronic marijuana use). I also know plenty of people who literally smoke all day, every day, working a bare minimum job, and hardly live. If that's aint addiction, I don't know what is.

Anyways, I have been in all kinds of healthcare settings the last 7 years, have to say I have never even been randomed, just pre employment. I use to run the drug free workplace at my last position, the selections are totally random. I would have people who weren't called in years (like 20, seriously) then I had people who would be called every quarter for a year. There was no rhyme or reason.

[RestlessHeart]

A classmate of mine is a heavy cannabis user. To the point where he has not even applied for any positions yet because he is certain that his pre-screening drug test will come back positive. He says that he just has to stay clean long enough to pass the drug screening because "hospitals hardly ever drug tests to nurses."

How true is this? How often are nurses screened at YOUR facility? I was going to ask my preceptor, but I think me asking will look weird..

With all due respect...and I mean that sincerely.....I would be one of "those" people who would anonymously report him/her in a freakin heartbeat. I have been on the "other side" of a nurse that was either high, drunk or just plain stoopid and it aint cool. I have been a patient way more often than I care to remember and the last thing Id want is one treating me that is not or MAY not be clear headed.

There are so many freakin fantastic caring gentle kind compassionate nurses out there, they dont need their crowns tarnished by one who chose to partake of a little smoke / drink / pill.

[BeachsideRN, ASN]

That seems messed up to me. Sort of like they are implying that staff must be impaired to let a patient fall. Or maybe they are trying to blame the staff for falls, like if they are stingy with sitters on confused patients, must be the RN slacking, not admin being cheap bastards.

Cheers

I imagine they drug test the nurse so that if the patients family lawyers up they can prove that the nurse was not impaired. CYA

[CelticGoddess, BSN, RN]

It depends if the come into work incapacitated, if they seriously screw up or someone suspects they are using. If the above is true, they'll probably be screened.

[maccheese]

He needs to just move to an area where its legal. For now in our state, they randomnly test, even for nicotine (for insurance users.)

[NOADLS]

He needs to just move to an area where its legal. For now in our state, they randomnly test, even for nicotine (for insurance users.)

Even if it is legal, (much like prescription meds), it can still get you into trouble.

This classmate which the OP is referring to is a lost cause IMO. This person will have to learn it the hard way to stay off the drugs. While it is true that testing is "rare," that doesn't mean it won't happen. And if this person in question does abstains from drugs and starts up again after the employment screen, this person will eventually be subject to testing and then that's it.

[katherine100, LPN]

So sad. I hope he fails his boards if the school does not kick him out first. SChools don't allow drug use. This is how diversion begins. I saw a show once where a woman said she became a nurse because of the easy access to all kinds of drugs. Just awful.

[Zach16]

The facility I work for tests during the interview. Then, once a year for your "annual" you are tested again. Anytime you are hurt on the job, or someone thinks you are on drugs, you can be tested. My facility also does random drug tests once a month.

[Wrench Party]

Side note: how did he get into the nursing program in the first place smoking a bunch of weed? My school required a drug test before every year so we could get clinical placements.

[DoeRN]

I was in management for a while and had to drug test two employees. People who are tested usually don't announce that they are. One floor I worked on had some narc diversion going on by two employees. Our director tested the whole floor. Just saying! Recreational drugs and nursing don't mix.

[Dogen]

He needs to just move to an area where its legal. For now in our state, they randomnly test, even for nicotine (for insurance users.)

It's still illegal under US federal law, so even in places (like where I live) where it's legal, employers will still fire you if you test positive. The Colorado supreme court upheld the firing of a dish installer with that rationale, and employers here are pretty explicit about their no tolerance policy.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Out of the blue my facility decided to drug screen everyone when a new company bought us out. Busted a lot of good nurses who smoke pot...but I'm sure all nurses in Florida know that it's illegal and against the nurse practice act, so it's a risk they should have been willing to take.

People are now randomly drugged screened once a month and we never know when we'll get that call. My career isn't worth getting high over no matter what my opinion is of it.