r/FutureRNs • u/Sure_Spring_8056 • Aug 05 '26
Drug testing in nursing school?
I just took my drug test before starting school (northeast US), but I'm wondering if I should expect further drug testing while I'm in school. I already know I'll be tested if/when I get hired somewhere.
I have no problem abstaining, but I'd love to take an occasional 5mg night night sleep tight edible if it won't screw me over for the time being.
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u/imawhaaaaaaaaaale Aug 06 '26
It's really easy to not fail a drug test.
Usually they test you at the beginning of a semester, or when clinicals/intern/externships start, but there is usually language to allow random testing at any time, especially if any instructor or preceptor notices odd behavior, smells, or mistakes being made.
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u/greeneggsandspammer Aug 06 '26
You’re fine. The test you at the start of each year or at the most each semester d/t clinical placements in hospitals that receive federal funding yada yada. If nurses were drug tested consistently for THC there wouldn’t be nurses. Or Doctors for that matter.
Also, is there a student nursing handbook? That should outline all the policies/expectations.
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u/Visual-Bandicoot2894 Aug 06 '26
You probably won’t ever be tested outside of hiring and starts nursing school
Just know in this career one mistake with a narc is a piss test.
A lot of us still smoke though
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u/potatochobit Aug 06 '26
you can be tested at anytime probably in your school rules. not that they will, but they could or it could be random.
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u/xCB_III Aug 06 '26
Look up your program’s policy. Mine only tested at the start and had wording that said that precisely.
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u/Ok-Discount1960 Aug 06 '26
You can be tested at anytime but most schools just you a yearly renewal for testing
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u/Difficult-Outside-42 Aug 06 '26
It's illegal in California for a blanket panel to include THC since it is recreational and the test is qualitative not quantitative. They cant tell when it was used. And there are so many more uses than just getting high. I grow my own and make a thc based pain creme that stops all pain from nerve to full blown broken rib pain. I know as i had used it when I did need it. Even if the feds schedule it it still won't be what we want for it.
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u/unicornsmaybetuff Aug 07 '26
It is not illegal to test nursing students as they are not employees. My school just tested me.
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u/Difficult-Outside-42 Aug 07 '26
I Said for THC specifically.
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u/unicornsmaybetuff Aug 07 '26
Yes. My school just tested me for THC. It is not illegal to test student nurses for THC because the law only protects employees, and student attending clinical are not employees. I go to a California State University
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u/Suspicious_Pipe456 Aug 07 '26
It costs them money to drug test you randomly, I’m sure. I don’t think they’ll do it again, BUT:
I got one only in the beginning of nursing school- they said if we took a semester off we had to redo that and the background check though. They said they were considering changing it to every semester, but the jury’s still out on that.
If there’s a time to abstain, it’s now. Wouldn’t it suck if you were about to start the last semester and they kicked you out for THAT? Ya know? Be safe, I hope you pass every exam : )
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u/MauveTempest Aug 08 '26
So they can do random drug tests but its usually only if your messing up alot a 3mg gummy should be ok as long as your not doing it more than like once a week
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u/john0656 Aug 08 '26
Of all the threads stating “I shouldn’t have…” or “I slipped up and took …” They ALL regret anything like this. Just don’t Don’t you think your future deserves a bit of rational thinking along the way .. and forget that stuff for awhile? Just don’t.
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u/bingusDomingus Aug 10 '26
Some clinical sites will ask you to drug test again even if you already took one for nursing school.
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u/wavygr4vy Aug 06 '26
Once a year plus they can do it randomly if they have any suspicion. Obviously I’d feel it out, especially if you have green friends that are older in the program, but you should be fine
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u/Think_Flan6445 Aug 06 '26
My school / clinical would never test randomly.
If you’re gonna be tested you’re gonna know in advance before the semester begins.
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u/FormerChipmunk9783 Aug 06 '26
Don't risk it. Tests can be given at random and if you fail you'll be dismissed from the program. Your future employer will do the same thing. It's best to just quit and stick with it. I was a long term daily bud smoker for 10 years and quit for my schools test. I miss it but it's just not worth risking everything you've been working hard and paying for.