Drug Screens

The TSTC LVN-RN Program  is committed to maintaining a drug-free academic and work environment consistent with and in furtherance of TSTC’s Alcohol and Drug Abuse Policy for students.  All students enrolled in the LVN-RN program are required to have a mandatory drug screen upon program admission, at their own expense, prior to beginning clinical activities and rotations. Prior to the start of clinical placement and in compliance with facility affiliation agreements, students must pass a mandatory drug screening analysis in order to begin the clinical course. Occasionally, random drug tests and/or “for cause” drug screens will be conducted if indicated by observation of student behaviors. The use of illicit drugs, alcohol, controlled medication not prescribed to oneself, or other substances with the potential for impairing clinical judgment and performance by students is prohibited by TSTC and our accrediting bodies. For cause drug screens may be a result of a student exhibiting any conduct that raises questions by the instructor about their fitness to practice, as defined in the Texas Administrative Code RULE §213.29, Fitness to Practice. Failure to comply with this policy will subject the student to disciplinary action up to and including academic dismissal from TSTC. 

If a student has a non-negative drug screen result or was found to be tampering with a sample, the student will be reported to the Program Director. Students are encouraged to take responsibility for self- reporting and self-referral for inappropriate substance use. Nursing students will be held to the standards of practice set forth by the Texas Administrative Code RULE §217.11, Standards of Nursing Practice.

The use of alcohol and/or drugs in the clinical area is forbidden and will not be tolerated. Hospitals and agencies frequently require educational facilities to provide written documentation indicating students have been screened for and are free of drugs. The reason for this is the concept of due diligence and the competency assessment of all individuals whose assignments bring them in contact with clients or employees at the clinical sites. The student who is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol (including the smell of alcohol on the breath) and/or drugs while in the clinical area is subject to the policies and procedures which direct that particular health facility and may be asked to participate in laboratory (blood and/or urine) testing at his/her own expense. The student will not be allowed to remain in the clinical environment if he/she is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Students who cannot participate in clinical rotations due to a positive drug screening may be unable to fulfill the requirements of a degree program. Failure to comply with this request may result in the student's immediate dismissal/administrative withdrawal. 

The urine drug screen will be completed at the discretion of the Program Team Lead or Program Director. Drug screens will be performed at a facility determined by the TSTC program. Failure to undergo a drug screen on the designated day will result in immediate withdrawal from the program. Positive results are kept confidential and will be shared with the appropriate program director or site coordinator.

Non-negative, or positive, results require additional testing at the student's expense. All non-negative test results will be reviewed by a Medical Review Officer, who specializes in the interpretation of questionable results. The Medical Review Officer (MRO) will require the student to be contacted to provide a prescription. Students must provide documentation within the time frame determined by the Medical Review Officer (MRO). Students with positive results that are not a medically verifiable reason will be dismissed from the program. If there is a medically verified reason for the positive result, the result will be changed to “negative.”

Consequences

Non-Negative (Positive) Test Result

A student who has a non-negative drug screen will be prohibited from attending clinical assignments. Students who test non-negative in drug screening will be dismissed from TSTC. Nursing students enrolled in the LVN-RN may be reported to the Board of Nursing, in compliance with the Nurse Practice Act (§301.404). 

Dilute Test Results

A dilute test result will require additional testing at the student’s expense. If a student received a second negative dilute test result, the student will be treated as if the result is positive.