Failed pre-employment drug screen

Nurses General Nursing

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I am so freaked out. I was hired, conditionally, for a job I really want. Today I found out that I failed the drug screen because it showed Darvocet. I have prescriptions for Percocet because I recently broke a bone in my foot. Over the weekend prior to the drug test, a family member gave me a couple of their pain killers until I got mine filled. I didn't put it all together until today, but apparently I took the Darvocet without thinking it would cause a problem. I am not sure yet what will happen, but I fear I will lose the job. Even worse, I am afraid of being reported to my nursing board. Any suggestions? I am feeling like a royal loser. I have never had a problem with any other drug screen in prior jobs or nursing school.

Seriously? A mistake anyone could make? I don't take narcotics that are not prescribed to me and I am willing to bet that most people do not take other people's medication, and that would never happen to me. And the OP had a prescription for a better drug then darvocet that any pharmacy could fill in 15 minutes.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I actually was just involved in a med error where the pump was set correctly except the weight was set wrong and instead of being 63 it was set to deliver the right dose but for a patient weighing 79Kg (obviously I work in adults). Just a constant reminder to check check double check and triple check. Thank god nothing happend to the patient.

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I agree it was wrong to take a med not prescribed for you, especially one not on the market anymore, however, the best thing you can do is what and see if they ask you for a script for an opoid, then give them the percocet script. If they ask for a darvocet script. Just tell them the truth and next time take Motrin.

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Specializes in Med Surg/ Rehabilitation.

Darvocet is not considered a strong opioid and was also removed from the market. I don't see why they would have even tested for that specific drug considering the fact that it hasn't been on the market for a good while.

Not to say that they won't, but I would be surprised if they hired you. Most people know that it is never a good idea to take other peoples meds. Think about it like this....what if you were allergic to the med and something really bad happened from taking it....who would feel guilty and be held responsible for it. Also, people develop allergies to things, so you just never know.

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.
I am so freaked out. I was hired, conditionally, for a job I really want. Today I found out that I failed the drug screen because it showed Darvocet. I have prescriptions for Percocet because I recently broke a bone in my foot. Over the weekend prior to the drug test, a family member gave me a couple of their pain killers until I got mine filled. I didn't put it all together until today, but apparently I took the Darvocet without thinking it would cause a problem. I am not sure yet what will happen, but I fear I will lose the job. Even worse, I am afraid of being reported to my nursing board. Any suggestions? I am feeling like a royal loser. I have never had a problem with any other drug screen in prior jobs or nursing school.

Darvocet was pulled about a year ago from the market--tell your relative to throw them away, not give them away!!! And lesson learned (potentially a very HARD lesson) you DON'T TAKE PILLS THAT AREN'T PRESCRIBED TO YOU!!!!

With the job market as tight as it is, young/new nurses are thankful for bone-headed decisions like this one =(

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.
:hug: My sympathies to you; this is a mistake that anyone could make. I mean, if my foot were hurting like heck I would do the same thing, honestly.

"A mistake anyone could make" is a pretty broad statement. Please don't paint me or thousands of other nurses with that same brush....

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Specializes in Psychiatry, ICU, ER.

What happens with hospital employment is going to look like child's play if they report you to the Board.

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I don't want to be judgemental but taking prescription medications that are not yours is illegal and a big problem-----especially if you are a nurse who has access to all your pt's meds and other controlled substances. I hope you do the right thing if this happens to you.

:hug: My sympathies to you; this is a mistake that anyone could make. I mean, if my foot were hurting like heck I would do the same thing, honestly.
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I am sorry you are going through this. But they do the UDS so they can weed out nurses who would not think twice about taking other people's meds, especially prescription meds and controlled substances. You could have filled your script in 15 minutes and it would have saved you all this trouble. Live and learn.

I am so freaked out. I was hired, conditionally, for a job I really want. Today I found out that I failed the drug screen because it showed Darvocet. I have prescriptions for Percocet because I recently broke a bone in my foot. Over the weekend prior to the drug test, a family member gave me a couple of their pain killers until I got mine filled. I didn't put it all together until today, but apparently I took the Darvocet without thinking it would cause a problem. I am not sure yet what will happen, but I fear I will lose the job. Even worse, I am afraid of being reported to my nursing board. Any suggestions? I am feeling like a royal loser. I have never had a problem with any other drug screen in prior jobs or nursing school.
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:hug: My sympathies to you; this is a mistake that anyone could make. I mean, if my foot were hurting like heck I would do the same thing, honestly.

Are you serious?

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I know you had no evil intentions by taking the Darvocet, but the fact remains that you did take a controlled substance that was not prescribed to you. Your employer could look at this and wonder if you may make similar "judgement calls" with patients and their medications. Not saying that you would ever do that...but it's not me you have to convince.

First, set your Percocet prescription up for Auto-fill: most pharmacy chains offer this service so you will never get short on your medication and not be tempted to do this again.

Second, if you are asked by them what happened or to produce a Darvocet script, tell the employer the truth: I wouldn't try to lie about it because they specifically got a positive for Darvocet, and lying would just worsen their opinion for you. After that, all you can do is wait and hope for the best...which honestly doesn't look good for you.

Last, take this lesson away with you for the future.

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i gotta ask: are all you people for real??

when it comes to a uds, i know it's wrong.

but in real life? ;)

yes, i have my husband take one of my son's migraine pills for when he has a migraine ha.

if hubby got another migraine, i'd have him get his own script.

but i see absolutely nothing (morally) wrong with taking a couple of pills from someone else, in a pinch.

op, yes, you showed not-great judgment.

if i were you, i'd come clean (heh) and tell the truth what happened.

at this point, you don't have much to lose.

leslie

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