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.

we're not talking about street drugs, but prescriptions that one may have.

checker, can you honestly tell me that if you had a true "10" pain...

i mean agonizing, screaming pain and your mom offered you 1-2 of her percocets, you wouldn't take it?

leslie

So your line is that you won't take street drugs, that's great! Other people would take street drugs, they would not understand your philosophy, much like you don't understand my position not to take other people's prescriptions. I don't know why that is so difficult to get across. I realize that people may be posting from other countries (Canada, UK etc) on this thread and this may be a cultural thing and I don't know where any of you live, but I live in the US. I have never lived more than a few minutes in an ambulance away from an emergency room. If I were in so much pain (true 10 excruciating pain) that I needed narcotics I would go to the emergency room instead of asking my mother for percocet (which would take 30 minutes to kick in anyway) and the ED will give me pain meds, then send me home with my own prescription if so needed. Pain meds are easy to get in the US if you so desire and pain is not a bad thing either in my opinion. Pain does get you to a doctor to figure out what is going on, rather then just cover it up with percocets.

Also, what would happen to you if you were randomly drug tested and you did not have a prescription? I have known people to be fired for testing positive for narcotics without a valid rx. At my prior job they tested 5-10 of the 180 employees randomly monthly. Why put yourself in that situation? I don't know any of you and I don't care what you do. I don't understand why it so important that everyone does the same things as you, like taking drugs without a prescription. It is so ridiculous that people keep saying, "are you for real?". Read through the last few pages and it seems like a lot of people have my same opinion and a lot of people are opposites. Diversity is a great thing and I don't think we should all unify around taking other people's prescription drugs illegally as nurses. I have feel like this is the Bizarro world following this thread.

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People need to take a quick look at themselves and realize that we are all human and that, if in excrutiating pain, would have probably have done the same thing. In fact, I would be a little concern if you DIDN'T and just let yourself writhe in pain. Come on now. She had a human reaction. No need to talk down at her.

I agree that the OP has been flogged enough. However, it's not true that everyone would do the same thing. There are plenty of people around who would rather be in pain and wait for a valid prescription than break the law. Some because of their principles and others from fear of just exactly what happened to the OP.

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However, it's not true that everyone would do the same thing. There are plenty of people around who would rather be in pain and wait for a valid prescription than break the law. Some because of their principles and others from fear of just exactly what happened to the OP.

i totally agree, horseshoe.

that's what makes ea and every one of us unique as humans and nurses.

that said, if you're being (drug) tested for a position, it really would be unwise to take anything that's not prescribed to you.

that's the professional in me talking.

but in acute and urgent situations (which means infrequently), then call me a law-breaker...i'm ok with that.

if i totally feel that i have something that will help my loved one in need, my instincts to help, are stronger than my will to be law abiding.:twocents:

leslie

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Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.
I agree that the OP has been flogged enough. However, it's not true that everyone would do the same thing. There are plenty of people around who would rather be in pain and wait for a valid prescription than break the law. Some because of their principles and others from fear of just exactly what happened to the OP.

I understand that but I don't think one can say for sure unless they have been in that situation.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.
If you were in pain would you shoot up with some heroin? A heroin addict would look at you and say I would be a little concerned if you DIDN'T use this heroin for your excruciating pain. Where do you draw the line? My line is drawn at not taking some other person prescription drugs.

I don't think you can compare heroine to the drug that op took.

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I'm in my fifties. Years ago it was not common for medical practices to offer evening and weekend hours, there were no urgent care centers, there was usually only one all night pharmacy open and that might be twenty miles away.

It was not uncommon to be seen in the ER or to call the doctor after hours and be asked, what do you have available to take until the morning for pain. Times were different. We also didn't go to the emergency room unless we were in danger of dying - they were for emergencies. You learned to make do.

Having come from that "era" is probably why I don't automatically feel someone is a criminal or immoral for doing so.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/DOU/Ortho/Onc/Rehab/ER/.
So your line is that you won't take street drugs, that's great! Other people would take street drugs, they would not understand your philosophy, much like you don't understand my position not to take other people's prescriptions. I don't know why that is so difficult to get across. I realize that people may be posting from other countries (Canada, UK etc) on this thread and this may be a cultural thing and I don't know where any of you live, but I live in the US. I have never lived more than a few minutes in an ambulance away from an emergency room. If I were in so much pain (true 10 excruciating pain) that I needed narcotics I would go to the emergency room instead of asking my mother for percocet (which would take 30 minutes to kick in anyway) and the ED will give me pain meds, then send me home with my own prescription if so needed. Pain meds are easy to get in the US if you so desire and pain is not a bad thing either in my opinion. Pain does get you to a doctor to figure out what is going on, rather then just cover it up with percocets.

Also, what would happen to you if you were randomly drug tested and you did not have a prescription? I have known people to be fired for testing positive for narcotics without a valid rx. At my prior job they tested 5-10 of the 180 employees randomly monthly. Why put yourself in that situation? I don't know any of you and I don't care what you do. I don't understand why it so important that everyone does the same things as you, like taking drugs without a prescription. It is so ridiculous that people keep saying, "are you for real?". Read through the last few pages and it seems like a lot of people have my same opinion and a lot of people are opposites. Diversity is a great thing and I don't think we should all unify around taking other people's prescription drugs illegally as nurses. I have feel like this is the Bizarro world following this thread.

Are you kidding me? Do you know how much a little trip to the ER is?

Screw that idea, I will just go to my mom and have her give me one of her meds to hold me over til the next day.

Geez, sorry some of us are only human.

Guess I am going to Hell too....

*** now before you think I am saying this behavior is right, its not, its wrong. But we all do wrong things everyday.

I am just speaking of my personal experience and what I have done and will do again if it comes to that (which obviously I hope it doesn't). My opinion.

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Specializes in LTC, Nursing Management, WCC.

There is no way really to draw an end to this. Some feel it is ok and some feel it isn't. It happens. I am not going to fault a person, it is not my place. We are ALL adults here and if you are going to do it, just be prepared for any possible consequences.

Now.... I found some crack and need to get my needle. God I totally can't even fake that. I would need to look up crack to know do you use a needle, or is this smoked? Oh well... defeats the purpose of what was supposed to be a sarcastic yet well placed witty joke.

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i totally agree, horseshoe.

that's what makes ea and every one of us unique as humans and nurses.

that said, if you're being (drug) tested for a position, it really would be unwise to take anything that's not prescribed to you.

that's the professional in me talking.

but in acute and urgent situations (which means infrequently), then call me a law-breaker...i'm ok with that.

if i totally feel that i have something that will help my loved one in need, my instincts to help, are stronger than my will to be law abiding.:twocents:

leslie

you...law...breaker!

:D

i confess that once, at 3:00 am or so, i gave my shrieking, screaming, mildly febrile infant who was pulling on her ears a few drops of her toddler sister's prescription ear numbing medicine. at 8:00 i had her at her doctor's office for a check up. but yeah, i (gasp) was a law breaker, too. :o

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There is a clear division here in what is perceived as right versus wrong. Maybe this obscure incident mirrors the big picture in nursing.

Some nurses love love the black and white the role of "the nurse" dictates. Policy and Procedure nurses are the expectation. Those P&P's are in place so we don't have to think for ourselves. Not bashing their necessity. However, not all nurses are cut from the same cloth. Some of us can see a bigger picture and see outside of the box that has been dictated to us.

Let's leave the P&P nurses to do their jobs comfortably and honorably within the dictate of the health system they work. Those that want something more can forge ahead. Let's use our experience to be change agents.

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so your line is that you won't take street drugs, that's great! other people would take street drugs, they would not understand your philosophy, much like you don't understand my position not to take other people's prescriptions. i don't know why that is so difficult to get across. i realize that people may be posting from other countries (canada, uk etc) on this thread and this may be a cultural thing and i don't know where any of you live, but i live in the us. i have never lived more than a few minutes in an ambulance away from an emergency room. if i were in so much pain (true 10 excruciating pain) that i needed narcotics i would go to the emergency room instead of asking my mother for percocet (which would take 30 minutes to kick in anyway) and the ed will give me pain meds, then send me home with my own prescription if so needed. pain meds are easy to get in the us if you so desire and pain is not a bad thing either in my opinion. pain does get you to a doctor to figure out what is going on, rather then just cover it up with percocets.

also, what would happen to you if you were randomly drug tested and you did not have a prescription? i have known people to be fired for testing positive for narcotics without a valid rx. at my prior job they tested 5-10 of the 180 employees randomly monthly. why put yourself in that situation? i don't know any of you and i don't care what you do. i don't understand why it so important that everyone does the same things as you, like taking drugs without a prescription. it is so ridiculous that people keep saying, "are you for real?". read through the last few pages and it seems like a lot of people have my same opinion and a lot of people are opposites. diversity is a great thing and i don't think we should all unify around taking other people's prescription drugs illegally as nurses. i have feel like this is the bizarro world following this thread.

really???

have you ever needed something for pain?

how long do you think it takes to get acknowledged, registered, seen, meds ordered, arrive from pharmacy/pyxis, and then administered in the ed?

oy... the ed is the last place to go for pain meds....but, unfortunately after hours, or if the minor emergency place is closed, it's all there is.... if you ask for pain meds in an ed- you are automatically a drug seeker.... doesn't matter if someone else is carrying your arm in a plastic bag w/ice...

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Really???

Have you ever needed something for pain?

How long do you think it takes to get ACKNOWLEDGED, registered, seen, meds ordered, arrive from pharmacy/Pyxis, and then administered in the ED?

OY... the ED is the LAST place to go for pain meds....but, unfortunately after hours, or if the minor emergency place is closed, it's all there is.... If you ask for pain meds in an ED- you are automatically a drug seeker.... doesn't matter if someone else is carrying your arm in a plastic bag w/ice...

Ok, now I've got to clean off my computer screen. :D

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