Substance Abuse and Drug Testing Policy

It is the policy of the College of Nursing to provide an environment, which is free from the use, sale, possession, or distribution of illegal drugs or the improper or abusive use of alcohol and other legal drugs. Additionally, this policy requires that everyone perform their duties without the presence of illegal drugs, alcohol, or inappropriate legal drugs in their systems. The manufacture, use possession, sale, purchase, or transfer of illegal drugs by anyone is prohibited. Arriving on campus or other schoolrelated locations while under the influence of an illegal drug is prohibited. The College of Nursing prohibits the use or abuse of such drugs to the extent that performance, fitness for classroom or clinical study, and safety are adversely affected. The objective of this policy is to ensure a safe, healthy, and work efficient environment for everyone at the LCN and the general public. The administration of the College of Nursing will utilize every reasonable measure to maintain a drug and alcohol free environment.

Definitions
Illegal Drugs: Illegal drugs, for purposes of this policy, include but are not limited to: narcotics; hallucinogens; depressants; stimulants; other substances capable of
creating or maintaining adverse effects on one’s physical, emotional, or mental state. Controlled medication not prescribed for current personal treatment by a licensed
medical professional is also considered illegal.

Medication or Prescribed Drugs: Medication or prescribed drugs, for purposes of this policy, are drugs that an individual may be taking under the direction of a
licensed medical professional in a medical setting to address a specific physical, emotional, or mental condition.

Practices

In order to meet the objectives of this policy, the College of Nursing will provide everyone with information about the effects of alcohol and other drugs
through educational efforts and the availability of information about counseling services. Additionally, the College of Nursing will educate and train everyone to
identify pro b l e m sand symptoms of drug and alcohol abuse to meet the objective of this policy. Anyone who is found to use, sell, possess, or distribute any illegal drug
while on school-related duties, either on or off LCN premises, will be subject to disciplinary action. Any illegal substance confiscated will be turned over to the
appropriate law enforcement agency for additional investigation and appropriate action. Being arrested or charged with illegal possession, use, or distribution, can
subject anyone to disciplinary action. Students shall notify their instructor when taking prescribed medication, which could adversely affect their performance. If a student is taking a prescribed drug, which might hinder the safe and efficient performance of their job duties, the student must obtain a release to return to school and the clinical setting from the prescribing health care professional. Specifically, the prescribing professional must assure that the student is able to perform in a clinical setting. If a release cannot be obtained, the student may be suspended from clinical. Students are advised to check with a health care provider when taking any over-the-counter medication to determine if the medication may cause or give the appearance of causing side effects, which might hinder the safe and efficient performance of their duties. It is the student’s responsibility to exercise conscientious judgment when considering whether they can properly function in their role as a nursing student. Faculty and staff should notify their immediate supervisor if they are feeling adverse effects from their medications, which might adversely affect job performance or client safety.

Drug/Alcohol Testing Program
In order to effectively meet the objectives of this policy, the College of Nursing recognizes the need to implement a Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy to include the following: Reasonable Suspicion Testing Faculty/Staff who observe behavior or performance problems (or other evidence) of any student which could
have an adverse effect on his or her personal safety or performance and reasonably suspects such behavior and performance to be at the result of use of alcohol or other
drugs, shall immediately notify the Dean of Nursing.

The following shall serve as examples of behavior which can form reasonable suspicion: changes in attitude or performance level, disorientation, mood swings, slurred speech, odor of alcohol on breath, unexplained disappearances while on duty, confusion or lapses in memory, excessive absences and/or tardiness, or
imprudent judgment under the set of circumstances. (This list is for reference and is not intended to be complete).

The Dean of the College of Nursing must authorize Reasonable Suspicion Testing on a student before a test is administered. In the absence of the Dean of Nursing, a designee may authorize a test. No Reasonable Suspicion Test will be administered without the authorization of the Dean of Nursing or next in command.

No advance notice to the student is required to test for reasonable suspicion testing. Tests may be performed on blood, urine, breath, or hair samples.

Incident/Post-Accident Testing The College of Nursing may conduct a drug and alcohol screening test immediately after an accident or incident to either confirm or refute drug or alcohol use as a possible cause. Incident/Post-Accident Testing may apply to both the injured and/or those individuals affecting the accident or incident.

The Dean of Nursing or next in command must authorize Incident/Post-Accident Testing on a student before a test is administered.

Confirmation Test

A confirmation test will be conducted on every positive test result. Within the intent of this policy, a confirmation test is a test conducted with greater sensitivity to the
identification and level of any drug present in the same sample originally provided by the student. (Alcohol levels will be deemed “positive” when greater than 0%).

Peer Reporting
Should a student suspect or observe suspicious behaviors in others, report this either to an instructor or the Dean of Nursing. It is part of professional obligation to report
unsafe practice according to the Student Code of Conduct. Every effort will be made to maintain confidentiality in peer reporting, however, in some circumstances
confidentiality may not be assured.

Confidentiality
Test results and information obtained during testing will be held in confidence and treated as medical information. If a student tests positive and corrective action is required, only those personnel with a need to know will be provided access to the test information.

Testing Procedures – Reasonable Suspicion and Post Accident
If a student’s test result is confirmed to be positive through a confirmation test, the student will be immediately suspended and the Student Code of Conduct Policy will be
followed.

Refusal to Test
Refusal to consent to a substance abuse test will result in dismissal.

Relapse by Student
Any student who is rehabilitated must remain alcohol or drug free. Any relapse by a student will be considered a violation of this policy and the student will be subject to
dismissal.

Disciplinary Action
The College of Nursing reserves the right to subject any student found to be in violation of the Substance Abuse and Drug Testing Policy to disciplinary action up to and
including immediate dismissal.

Faculty/Staff Responsibility
Every faculty/staff working for the College of Nursing is required to ensure a safe and effective work environment for student/patient through awareness, education, and
appropriate training in recognition of alcohol and other drug issues. Faculty/staff will be subject to disciplinary action if the Substance Abuse and Drug Testing Policy is
not personally supported in principle and practice. It is part of professional obligation to report unsafe practice according to ANA code of ethics.

Referral of Questions
Questions concerning this policy should be directed to the Dean of Nursing.