It is the policy of Central School of Practical Nursing to maintain an educational environment that is free from drug and alcohol use. The possession, use/and or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol or controlled substance abuse represents a danger to all students and employees of Central School of Practical Nursing, Inc. Drugs and alcohol also lower productivity and the quality of learning in the School setting. CSPN recognizes its responsibility to maintain a drug-free environment. In keeping with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989, Central School of Practical Nursing will not tolerate the distribution, dispensation, possession or use of illegal drugs, controlled substances, or alcohol in the School environment which includes clinical settings off of CSPN property and any occasion on which an individual is in the role of a student. Central School reserves the right to have students screened for drugs/alcohol whenever there is reasonable suspicion.
Per the guidelines of CSPN’s clinical affiliations, all students will be required to submit a drug test following admission to the program. In addition, random drug testing will be conducted throughout the program. Students will be selected by computer for random testing.
The following guidelines are non-negotiable and must be followed under penalty of discipline, up to and including dismissal from CSPN:
- Central School of Practical Nursing has a zero-tolerance policy for drug and alcohol abuse.
- Students undergoing drug/alcohol testing must remain with the Director of Student Services or her designee from the time they are notified until they begin the test. Students are not permitted to go to lockers, etc.
- Refusal to submit to a drug/alcohol screening at the time requested will result in immediate dismissal.
- Any student who tests positive for drugs or alcohol will be dismissed from the nursing program immediately.
- Drug/alcohol testing results are considered final and binding. The School will neither consider nor grant requests from students to be retested.
- Students taking controlled prescription drugs, prescribed for them, must disclose to the testing agent the name of the medication and the prescribing physician during testing. If a student tests positive for controlled substances, and no acknowledgment has been made, this will result in immediate dismissal. **(See below).
- Any attempt to tamper with a specimen will be viewed as a positive test for drugs/alcohol and will result in immediate dismissal. An adulterated specimen will be treated as a positive specimen. Similarly, any specimen that is deemed unacceptable for testing, due to abnormal temperature or other tampering may also result in dismissal.
- Testing must occur in the manner and location prescribed by CSPN in order for the test to be valid.
- Decisions about students under the drug and alcohol policy are final and not subject to the Grievance Resolution procedures. Additionally, students dismissed under this policy are permanently ineligible to reapply to CSPN.
**Please note: The following medications are examples of drugs that must be disclosed:
- Opiates/painkillers (examples: Vicodin, Percodan/Percocet, Oxycontin/Oxycodone, Demerol, Suboxone, Codeine, Morphine, etc.)
- Benzodiazepines/anti-anxiety medications/ hypnotics (examples: Ativan, Xanax, Valium, Ambien, Lunesta)
- Amphetamines/stimulants (examples: Adderall, Ritalin, diet pills)
- Barbiturates (example: Fioricet)
Please note: The above are examples only, and do not constitute an exhaustive list of controlled medications. If in doubt, ASK about the medication you are taking or have been prescribed.