School of Nursing

Target Group:  Basic BSN and RN-BSN Students

Policy Type:  Revision

Policy:

The School of Nursing is reaffirming a position of no tolerance for conduct associated with drug and alcohol use/abuse that in any way jeopardizes patient safety or pursuit of excellence in professionalism and education. Students must refrain from any use/abuse of alcohol outside the clinical or classroom which adversely affects a student’s performance in the clinical setting or classroom, or adversely affects or threatens the interests of the School of Nursing.

“Drugs” and “Alcohol” are defined to include any substance with the potential to produce the effects of intoxication and/or behavior which may impair a student’s ability to safely and efficiently perform in the clinical or classroom environment.

1. IU Southeast nursing students are expected to comply with drug screening as a condition of admission to the nursing program and annually. Requirements are subject to change at any time during the program.
2. Arrangements for the drug screen appointment and the cost of the drug screen are the responsibility of the student.
3. Minimum screening (10 Panel) will test for cocaine metabolites, benzodiazepines, methadone, methaqualone, barbiturates, marijuana metabolite, opiates , phencyclidine , amphetamines , and propoxyphene/metabolite.
4. Failure to undergo the urine drug screen, a positive drug screen (with no authorized prescription to validate the presence of the drug), or a tampered- with urine sample, will result in denial of admission or dismissal from the program.
5. Students may not attend classroom or clinical experiences until drug screen results are received by the School of Nursing. Any missed clinical or class time is considered unexcused.
6. If the drug screen shows diluted or adulterated results, the student will be allowed one retest. If the student fails the second test, the student will be dismissed from the program.
7. Students demonstrating behaviors that suggest drug or alcohol usage, or behaviors associated with intoxication will be immediately dismissed from the classroom or clinical area and may be required to obtain a drug and alcohol screen within 8 hours.
8. Immediate dismissal will occur for any student proven to be under the influence of any illegal drug or alcohol while in the classroom, caring for patients in any clinical setting, or while involved in any clinical experience on the Indiana University Southeast campus.

Confidentiality: The handling of all records and subject information will be strictly confidential and revealed only to those required to have access. Any breach of confidentiality will be considered serious and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.

Procedure:

1. Students will be informed of the process (location, cost, and procedure) for obtaining a School-approved drug screening at new student orientation, and on the Indiana University Southeast School of Nursing website at http://www.ius.edu/nursing/.
2. Drug testing will be done by a federally certified laboratory with a strict chain of custody.
3. Any student with positive results for illicit or performance altering drugs will be reviewed by the Admission, Progression, Graduation (APG) committee to determine if further action is indicated.  These actions may include referral, additional testing and/or dismissal from the program.
4. Students will be notified by mail of action taken by the School of Nursing as a result of a positive drug screen or demonstrated impairment.

Effective Date:  Fall 2010

Approved by:  Admission, Progression, Graduation Committee: February 8, 2010
Approved by:  Council of Nursing Faculty: March 15, 2010
Approved by:  Revised by CNF: November 21, 2011