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..

[shedevilprincss]

I am just amazed that people can go through nursing school in this day and age without drug screens every year, if not every semester.

All of my school's clinical sites required it.

My school required drug screen prior to starting. But I don't think we got tested during the remainder of the program.

[LDAthleteNurse, BSN, RN]

Never random only pre employment but I've only been a nurse 3 years. My current job did not even require a pre employment screen ( not acute care)

Lol is it just me or is your username pretty ironic right about now.. lolol I don't judge. Live ya life.

[LDAthleteNurse, BSN, RN]

Yeah my nursing school never did pre screening. We never signed a waiver to submit to random drug testing either so I knew we would never be drug tested at random. One guy had gotten kicked out of a previous program in another state because he tested positive for amphetamines, that carried over to the program he got in out here and he had to sign a release saying that he would submit to a random drug test at any time.

[LDAthleteNurse, BSN, RN]

No judgement from me though. Different strokes for different folks. I'm not against a little recreational use, people enjoy what they enjoy. I just hope he doesn't get caught and his use (or abstinence from) doesn't interfere with his future patient care. He's not a bad person.

[LDAthleteNurse, BSN, RN]

Speaking for myself only here I would marginalize that person in my life, and lose contact with him. There is guilt by association and this is just not something you need in your life. Lose him and concentrate on being your best self.

This is pretty extreme lol but I can totally see how this would keep me outta harms way. He's not a bad guy. He's just a bit of a stoner.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Your classmate will likely be drug-tested:

1. Before being hired

2. If he sustains an injury at work, especially has to get medical attention, and definitely if he is planning to pursue worker's comp

3. Whenever medications go missing, particularly if it's a controlled substance

4. If his behavior is off enough to cause concern among coworkers and/or patients

5. If his performance or judgment is affected to the point that it has or could have potentially caused patient harm

6. If he shows up drunk or stoned

7. If he shows up reeking of pot, even if he doesn't appear high

and

8. Randomly

And yes, this includes at workplaces in the states where marijuana is legalized.

He may never be tested. He may end up getting tested frequently. Who knows?

You've done all you could to warn him...now like it or not, he'll have to figure things out from here. And IMO, I don't think he's going to like the consequences he's risking.

[cdsavannah59, CNA]

Drug test are random. Also a lot of workplaces will do a drug test if one is injured on the job, if a drug test is failed after a job injury, then work comp has cause to show drugs/alcohol played role in injury and will deny work comp claim. A few years ago I did a random drug test, and passed it as usual. A month later I was severely bitten by a special needs patient, and had to do another drug screening, passed it again. I asked why I had to do a drug test after I just recently did one and it was the patient who attacked me for no reason, I was told anyone injured on job gets drug tested at their facility. So one just never knows when a drug test will be given.

[MunoRN, RN]

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.

I will freely admit that during my stretch off I like to go out to dinner, and a big part of that is getting a good IPA on tap. During the summer I also go to trivia night, so about twice out of every two weeks I like a good IPA, that means I'm not a caring, gentle, kind, or compassionate nurse?

[Jensmom7, BSN, RN]

There has never been an era when "everyone smoked pot."

Then what was that smell permeating my dorm in the early 70s??

[Butterfliesnroses]

I work in washington state where pot is legal. But it all depends on company policy. For my place of employment they have a zero tolerance policy for drugs and marijuana use isn't acceptable. Employees at my place of employment are tested upon hire and as needed. I have admittedly never been tested in health care but that is only because I got hired before they began testing. Though I remember getting drug tested when I got hired at Wal-Mart.

[Postpartum RN]

I will freely admit that during my stretch off I like to go out to dinner, and a big part of that is getting a good IPA on tap. During the summer I also go to trivia night, so about twice out of every two weeks I like a good IPA, that means I'm not a caring, gentle, kind, or compassionate nurse?

What is IPA?....

[MunoRN, RN]

What is IPA?....

India Pale Ale. Tastes kind of like you're eating pine cone covered with lawn clippings, but in a good way.