EEEEEK! Please Help Me! Losing New Job????

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in LTC, HOSPICE, HOME, PAIN MANAGEMENT, ETC.

:o :angryfire

Hi Everyone, Happy Holidays!!!!

I wish I had thought to bring this problem here a few days ago! I signed on for something totally different, then thought DUH!!!!!:selfbonk: :banghead: :smackingf

I haven't been able to work for a few months due to various reasons. I was sick and unable to work; then my son ruined my car and I had no way to get to work. Finally, I applied at a LTCF 11/2 miles from my house and got the job! I haven't had health insurance and benefits for years and desperately need them! I've been working for WOW! 40 YEARS and haven't built up any retirement and if they base social security on recent years, I have ZIP!!!

I also recently obtained my ACLS CERTIFICATION and IV certification!

The salary they offered me was great! I was so happy and grateful that I dropped on my knees (I'm unable to do that without pain) and thanked God.

During the interview, I was completely honest with her about my meds that I must take for depression and pain! She assured me in no UNCERTAIN TERMS that this would NOT BE AN ISSUE AND I WAS FINE! They were very happy to have me! I was even more happy to get this position!

You have to understand something...I've been a nurse for 32 years! I have loads of experience and I am a good nurse! I still LOVE being a nurse (a little tired, but that's OK) :) These past few monthes I've been through hell! I've had a lot happen healthwise and have been on the verge of homelessness, I've been hungry, have had no money for even the basics! Been unable to pay my bills, will definitely not be able to have a Christmas celebration. I may not even get to church unless I can find a ride. I have no friends and family due being ill so long...I've isolated myself into complete lonliness. So I'm on my own. There's been no way to get help...I've had to swallow my pride and ask for help any way I could think of!

Ok, now the crux of the problem...I went through orientation Thursday and everything was great! Fri, I was supposed to work, but I wasn't sure which shift (more about that later), so I had to wait for a call for 3-11 or 11-7. I called 4-5 times, but the coordinator kept blowing me off. Finally, she told me to show up for 3-11 monday, but that I had to see the DON first!

I called the ADON immediately and asked her what was going on! You can imagine how I was feeling! I was desperate for this job! She had no idea and I'd have to wait til Mon. to find out! THREE DAYS WITH THIS ANXIETY!!!

Luckily this kind lady called me back around 5p and told me what the problem was. I FAILED MY DRUG SCREEN!!!:angryfire :angryfire We discussed this! I offered my Rx to prove I was under a doctor's care! AT MY INTERVIEW! And I offered it to the lab as well! My meds have been the same for 3 years and due to being a chronic pain pt., I am NOT impaired when I do take them and I don't usually take them before work!

SHE TOLD ME THERE WOULD BE NO PROBLEM...not to even worry about that! NOW, there's a problem!

Please help me. I'm absolutely TERRIFIED of not getting this job! My home situation was contingent on me starting working! I would have been paid before Christmas and would have been able to celebrate! I would be able to EAT!

I'm so sorry this is so long, but I really need some feedback.What if anything can I do? I have a few ideas but I still need guidance!

I was tempted to post this on Bipley's thread cuz everyone was waiting for her to respond and would have read this:rotfl: :rotfl:(just kidding!:chuckle :chuckle

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this and in advance for responding to it!

rnmom

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Wow. :o I'm clueless, but, just wanted to say I hope all works out, and we're reading the posts! lol.. no worries there. I know it's near impossible but try not to let the stress overwhelm you terribly. Good luck and I hope everything works out.

Cats

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Specializes in LTC, HOSPICE, HOME, PAIN MANAGEMENT, ETC.
Wow. :o I'm clueless, but, just wanted to say I hope all works out, and we're reading the posts! lol.. no worries there. I know it's near impossible but try not to let the stress overwhelm you terribly. Good luck and I hope everything works out.

Cats

Yeah, I'm OK...Sitting here waiting for the numbers to change on the first page..(index page) WHEW!!! Got to chill! God would not have brought me this far to just drop me on my tushie, right?

rnmom

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...i thought meds were okay as long as you had a script?

are they concerned that the pain meds are too high and you could do a med error or something?

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I would be talking w/the Human Resources Dept, and manager, for specifics to be worked out, were it me.

GOOD LUCK!

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Specializes in LTC, HOSPICE, HOME, PAIN MANAGEMENT, ETC.

Yeah, that's the way it's supposed to be. I certainly will be talking to a few people tomorrow...professionally and nicely...but we will talk! I was completely honest with them and was assured this was not a problem! I even brought it up again, just to be sure. NO PROBLEM! Oh yeah, we're talking!

That's why I need help.

:angryfire :crying2: :confused: :madface: :imbar

rnmom

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It really should not be an issue if you have the scripts. Possibly she just wants to talk to you and get some copies of your scripts to put on file. Maybe she can't put you on the floor until she has those scripts in her file with a fax also from your doc stating that he did indeed prescribe those to you. Surely it will all work itself out. I am however, heartbroken for you if this at all imposes on your Christmas celebration...however, if all goes well, as i do believe it will....then you can celebrate ((giftwise)) with your family after your first paycheck. BC lets not forget what Christmas is really about....:saint:

Best wishes....

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Specializes in LTC, HOSPICE, HOME, PAIN MANAGEMENT, ETC.
It really should not be an issue if you have the scripts. Possibly she just wants to talk to you and get some copies of your scripts to put on file. Maybe she can't put you on the floor until she has those scripts in her file with a fax also from your doc stating that he did indeed prescribe those to you. Surely it will all work itself out. I am however, heartbroken for you if this at all imposes on your Christmas celebration...however, if all goes well, as i do believe it will....then you can celebrate ((giftwise)) with your family after your first paycheck. BC lets not forget what Christmas is really about....:saint:

Best wishes....

Oh, yes, that's another thing I wanted to mention...not only do I have the Rx, but I rec'd my monthly Rx on the 12th and haven't even filled it yet! I DO NOT take these meds lightly or irresponsibly! They're neccessary due excruciating pain that renders me bedridden if I don't take them WHEN I NEED TO.

I am well aware of "the reason for the season" and all of my celebrations center around the fact that we are celebrating the birth of Jesus!

:) Thanks so much for your support!

rnmom

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here's another suggestion.....

if you are asked for the prescription (or already have) and it is verified legit, but are turned down for the postion anyway.... then i would tell them you need their specific reasoning and rationale in writing, because you will be discussing it w/ your attorney and the office of "americans w/ disabilities act" (ada).......then see what they say.....

because clearly you had gotten the job and the reason for losing it would be solely do to the drug screening....which you have a script for!

play hard ball if you have to.....

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Hi Rnmom,

Don't start to worry, try to destress some way. Getting upset is only going to make your pain worse (I have those issues, too) so I know where you are coming from.

They may make you sign a contract saying that as long as you do not take it within a certain window (not 8 hours before or anytime during your shift), you will be able to work.

I will be praying for your situation, and as you said, remember the reason for the season. ((hugs)) I'll be thinking of you, let us know about your situation.

Kat

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As an ex occ health nurse who has performed many drug screens on clients, maybe I can help you to understand the process a little bit. At my hospital here in Illinois, the drug screen results are all reviewed by a Medical Review Officer (MRO). It is his resposibility to call clients with positive results and verify if they are on any medications. He may also call your Dr. or ask that your Dr. call him. It is ultimately up to the MRO to decide if your drug screen results match the prescriptions you are on. Did you receive a copy of your drug screen papers that were filled out when conducting the testing? If so, look on there and see if the MRO's phone # and address are on it. If so, maybe you could call him first thing tomorrow and get the ball rolling. Hate to say but these things usually take time and nobody is in a big hurry to prove your innocence except for you. I wish you lots of luck and hope things go speedily for you. By all rights if you have proof of your prescriptions backed up by your Dr., you should be OK.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Sounds like you just have to cut through some red tape. Sounds like they verbally told you it would be o.k. then didn't document it and so a red flag went up when you failed the drug test.

Good luck.

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