Drug Screening

Policy

The Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing does require a mandatory drug screen on all students applying to or entering our programs. Clinical facilities may require the results of the drug screening either before admission, or immediately before patient contact. In addition, agencies may require on the spot drug screens if there is a suspicion of drug use. Students enrolled in our programs must comply with agency requests.

The curricula of the programs in the College of Nursing offer a variety of nursing practice experiences throughout the State of Florida. The College of Nursing maintains contracts with all sites used for nursing practice experiences requiring a drug-free, healthful and safe workplace. Use of illegal or other substances by students impairing cognitive function, critical thinking and sound judgment cannot be tolerated.

General Requirements and Process

Each student is responsible to determine if a drug screen is required for:

• a nursing practice course
• conducting a nursing research study
• a project that involves contact with patients
• a didactic courses that would place the student with vulnerable patients

The student should contact the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing for the directions/code for the Certified Background company. Charges for the drug screen are the responsibility of the student. The final results will be sent and retained directly in the certified background under the College of Nursing account. If your clinical site requires that you provide them the results it is your responsibility to retrieve it from your Certified Background account. (If you received results using our old process/drug testing sites it is your responsibility to send to Colleen Alcantara-Slocombe - contact below).

If the drug screen results come back positive, the student will be notified. An Advisory Panel will be convened in order to determine the action to be taken.

Drug Screening Policy Concurrent with Practice

If a student is asked to take a drug screen at any time during nursing practice experience, the student will be placed in a taxi and sent to the laboratory for testing. The student will be accompanied by an instructor or other responsible party. At that time a specimen will be requested for testing. Any charges will be the responsibility of the student. Results of this testing will be considered by an Advisory Panel. The student may be dismissed from the program based on testing results.

Drug Screening Details

• Using Certified Background, the cost is $37.00
• For further information, contact:
  • Boca Campus
    Colleen Alcantara-Slocombe
    E-mail: slocombe@fau.edu
    Phone: 561-297-2872