Greenfield Community College (GCC) Department of Nursing is committed to maintaining a safe, healthy and productive environment. In order to uphold the highest standards of the nursing profession, students must remain free from the use of alcohol or any illegal drug or decriminalized (marijuana) drug while participating in lecture, simulation lab and clinical experiences. In addition, health care facilities affiliated with the college’s health occupations programs require that students have a negative drug screen prior to beginning clinical experiences. Passing a drug screen is considered an essential function for all students participating in the nursing programs.

Policy Statement

All students in the GCC nursing programs are required to complete a four-panel drug test prior to the first nursing semester. In addition, a clinical facility or the Department of Nursing may require a student to submit and pass random drug screening analysis in order to remain at the facility and/or in the program. Failure to 24 comply with this policy will subject the student to disciplinary action up to and including academic dismissal from the nursing program. If a student fails a drug screening, retesting using the second half of the original sample will occur within 24 hours of notification of results. Failure to pass a drug screen or refusal to submit to screening are grounds for immediate removal from the nursing program. The drug screening policy and procedure are provided to students at orientation and in an email with specific instructions prior to the start semester.

Procedure

Types of drug screening include:

1. Annual Drug Screen: The college will notify the student of the schedule for when the annual drug screen is to be completed. The student must complete and pass the scheduled drug screen analysis to participate in the clinical experiences and the nursing programs.
2. Screening for Reasonable Suspicion of Drug/Alcohol Use by Students: Any nursing student who demonstrates behavioral changes suspected to be related to the use of drugs or alcohol will be subject to testing. The faculty member who is made aware of and/or observes these changes must contact the dean of nursing who will make the decision to refer the student for drug testing.
3. Random: The Department of Nursing may conduct random periodic drug screenings at unspecified intervals during the program. In addition, a clinical facility may require the student to submit and pass random drug screening analysis in order to remain at that facility. Students will be responsible for reporting to the testing site within 24 hours of notification.

All screenings will be at the student’s expense. The Student Health Records and Clinical Onboarding Specialist will notify students of the specific arrangements for testing and at that time the student will need to make arrangements through the Castlebranch screening platform. Confidentiality of the student as well as the integrity of the urine sample will be protected following Department of Transportation (DOT) guidelines and chain of custody procedures. The testing laboratory will notify the dean of nursing or their designee with test results who in turn will then notify a student who has a positive drug test. The Department of Nursing will ensure confidentiality of results by making the information available only to the student and the Dean of Students.

Negative Test Results

If the drug test is negative, the student will be allowed to remain in the nursing program as long as all other prerequisites are met.

Positive Test Results

Failure to pass a drug screen or refusal to submit to requested screenings are grounds for immediate removal from the nursing program.

Readmittance to the Program

If a student has maintained negative random and pre-clinical drug tests they may apply for readmittance to the semester they were withdrawn from. All students must meet the admission policies as published and current at the time the student is applying. There is no guarantee the student will be readmitted to the program as the decision is based on space availability.

Drug/Alcohol Education and Counseling

Confidential drug and alcohol education are available through referral through the Wellness Center, if needed.