Weed and work.

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

Marijuana and nursing tend not to mix.

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.

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.

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.

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

What does MMJ stand for?

I keep telling you guys! MMJ stands for Meanmaryjean!

:)

What does MMJ stand for?

Not sure, but best guess is Medical Marijuana.

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

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

Well I do NOW. thanks.

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'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.

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.

Oh, what the eff. Doctor can't bill for delivering a baby that came too quickly so now a nurse has to not only pee in a cup, but fill out the incident report. I wonder if the doctor, who didn't show up on time, had to pee in a cup or file any reports. Good grief. Sometimes the baby just comes too fast. (Ha! Or the doctor really is too slow.)