Weed and work.

Published

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..

Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
so far they are just choosing to go with federal law and ignore state law.

Nah, they're just going with the fact that both states are "employment at will" states, and facilities can set whatever restrictions they choose, even for legal activities/substances.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Funny coincidence; I just had to complete an assignment last night for my ethical & legal class. We had to review a journal article concerning nurses and their attitudes on addicted coworkers as well as our state's nurse recovery program. I will try to post the link at the bottom. Basically I learned that it is our ethical responsibility to report suspicions of addiction to help your fellow colleague as well as protect patients. Of course it is easier said than done but it is certainly not one of those 'it's none of my business' type things. Just my opinion....

https://www.ncsbn.org/Addressing_Chemically_Dependent.pdf

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Marijuana and nursing tend not to mix.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Reproductive & Public Health.
Marijuana and nursing tend not to mix.

In our current legal climate, this is true. But only because it has the potential to gravely impact your career as an RN. Marijuana itself is fully compatible with nursing, just as much as a glass or two of wine after work. But the laws governing marijuana make it a very, very risky decision to smoke as a licensed health care provider.

I've never had a drug test as a nurse or CNM, except for the standard new hire screen, but that's just luck. I've never had a workplace accident or a sentinel event, or had my narc count off. But it could happen tomorrow, for all I know.

I did work at one place that asked me if I was "ready" to take my pre-employment drug screen or if I needed to do it "in a week or so." Lol. Which I guess is questionable practice, but I kind of appreciated the open acknowledgment that drug testing is a bit of a joke (for the record, I was indeed ready for the test!). I could do cocaine all night on Friday and test clean on Monday, but that joint I smoked two weekends ago could still show up. And I've never been screened of ETOH at a new job, so I could have a shot or two in the car before my appointment and pass with flying colors. Nonsensical.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was told at my last job with a huge national company that they were a drug free workplace and that I would be exected to sign an acknowledgment to that effect upon hire and annually. I signed fully expecting a drug screen. Signed every year until I resigned. Go figure.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Here is the thing. ANY Incident, you fall and get hurt. A patient gets hurt. You make an error. DING! Drug screen time. Marijuana shows up. DING! Nursing board gets notified. DING you lose your job. DING! You are now referred for either: Losing your license OR going into expensive and grueling long-term drug monitoring with the state board.

Just say no to drugs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.
Here is the thing. ANY Incident, you fall and get hurt. A patient gets hurt. You make an error. DING! Drug screen time. Marijuana shows up. DING! Nursing board gets notified. DING you lose your job. DING! You are now referred for either: Losing your license OR going into expensive and grueling long-term drug monitoring with the state board.

Anyone else now have this song in their head???

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFQyib5ZQZY

Up Vote Up Vote ×
What does MMJ stand for?

I keep telling you guys! MMJ stands for Meanmaryjean!

:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
What does MMJ stand for?

Not sure, but best guess is Medical Marijuana.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg.
Anyone else now have this song in their head???

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFQyib5ZQZY

Well I do NOW. thanks. :sniff:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've worked at two different hospitals in 8 years and I don't know a single nurse that has been tested without probable cause. The two nurses I know that had to test were suspected of stealing narcotics. I'd be careful though, you could loose your credentials :/

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB.
I've worked at two different hospitals in 8 years and I don't know a single nurse that has been tested without probable cause. The two nurses I know that had to test were suspected of stealing narcotics. I'd be careful though, you could loose your credentials :/

I will give you one - me. I work in OB. My patient had a precipitous delivery, delivering before the doctor arrived. This required an incident report. Because I was involved in an incident I was required to take a urine drug screen. Just goes to show how easily this can happen.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion