Policy for Student Drug Nicotine and Alcohol Screening

The practice of professional nursing demands that the clinician be free from the influence of any substance that would impair judgment and thinking ability. As a result, health care agencies are requiring students who work directly with patients to undergo drug screening. Nursing students must also be free from impairing substances. Health care agencies and the CONHS require drug screening of all nursing students prior to their first clinical practicum experience. In addition, CONHS students are subject to screening if either the faculty suspects that the student is impaired at any time on campus, or during any health care experience or any other university or work-related activity. Any student whose test is deemed positive will not be able to enroll or continue in the nursing program for a minimum period of one year. Determination will be made by the Program Director. The CONHS is required to report any positive screens and/or suspicion refusal to the appropriate board. 
This policy is designed to identify the procedures to be followed for both types of testing as well as to outline the appeal and readmission to the program.  The Code of Conduct Committee may be notified of any drug screen or background check concern, violation or dismissal. 

Initial Urine Drug Screening

1. First clinical practicum course and new transfer students will be randomly given a drug screen authorization form and a 24-hour time frame to complete a urine drug screen at one of the laboratory options provided.

2. Students will be required to show picture identification upon arrival. A driver’s license or passport are acceptable forms of identification.

3. The cost for all screening and medical review (if deemed necessary) is the students’ responsibility.

4. A screen with questionable results will be sent by the lab for a medical review. Costs for review and retest will be the responsibility of the student.

5. A negative report is necessary to continue in the program of study in the CON.

6. This screen need not be repeated as long as the student maintains continuous enrollment. Continuous enrollment is defined as enrollment in nursing classes during all consecutive semesters until graduation.

7. Students may be re-tested for cause or reasonable suspicion.

For Cause or Reasonable Suspicion Drug, Nicotine & Alcohol Screening

The CONHS may ask a student to submit to a drug and alcohol screening at any time a faculty member or preceptor/clinical site believes that the student may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This includes but is not limited to the following circumstances: evidence of drugs or alcohol on or about the student’s person or in the student’s possession, unusual conduct on the student’s part that suggests possible use or influence of drugs or alcohol, negative performance patterns, or excessive and unexplained absenteeism or tardiness. Determination will be made by the Program Director and may be forwarded to the Code of Conduct committee. During the time of this review the student will be placed on clinical probation.Specific screening for various substances may vary depending on the requirements of the site and or College per the specific nature of the circumstances.

1. Students will be asked to submit to an immediate oral drug and alcohol screening test conducted at one of the laboratory options provided.

2. Students may also be given a drug screen authorization form and asked to immediately complete a urine drug screen at one of the laboratory options provided.

3. Students will be required to show picture identification upon arrival. A driver’s license or passport are acceptable forms of identification.

4. The costs for all screening and medical review (if deemed necessary) are the students’ responsibility.

5. A screen with questionable results will be sent by the lab for a medical review by the company completing the drug screen. Costs for review and retest will be the responsibility of the student.

6. A negative report, excluding a positive nicotine result, is necessary to continue in the program of study in the CONHS.

Follow-up Action: Positive Screen (For Cause or Initial Drug Screen)

1. Positive drug screens (including those medically prescribed) may result in withdrawal from the nursing program for a minimum of 12 months. After this 12-month period, the student may apply for readmission under general guidelines stated in the United States University Catalog, provided there is submission of evidence of satisfactory participation in a rehabilitation program for alcohol/substance abuse. Determination will be made by the Program Director.

2. Sources of evidence include:

   1. Documentation of completed program of rehabilitation.

   2. Acknowledgement of continuance in a twelve step or after-care program.

   3. Letter from therapist or licensed health care provider stating the student is now able to function safely in a course facility.

3. The student must have a negative screen prior to being readmitted to the nursing program. The screen will be done at the direction of the Program Director and may be periodic while the student is in a CONHS program. The student is responsible for all costs of screening.

4. The decision to readmit will be made by the Program Director after review of submitted materials. As with other applications for readmission, space availability may be a determining factor.

5. A report will be filed with the CA Board of Nursing upon withdrawal from the program consistent with the rules and regulations of the CA Board of Nursing.

6. Any student who screens positive after one readmission may be expelled from the nursing program.