Help! Pre-employment nicotine test!

[noviceRN22]

So,I have a question regarding pre-employment URINE nicotene test/cotinine test. I have been free and clear of cigarettes for 3 days and have to test in 5 days. I have been drinking approx a gallon of water daily and totally stayed free and clear of any type of second hand smoke. I bought an online urine cotinine test where I tested negative. However, the level I test could only tell me that my urine concentration was below 200 ng/ml.

After doing some research online, I feel like the standard for a negative test result is less than that off 200 ng/ml. Does anyone know the standard they test in urine. Also, do you think if my levels are already below 200, that I'd be able to pass the test in 5 days? Please no cruel posts or judgements...I just want facts!

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

vufindr said:

"i think this is the point. smokers tend to less healthier then those who are non-smokers. therefore, they take more sick days, and the group insurance rates go up."

I can't speak for anybody else. But for me this is totally untrue. I smoked almost 2 packs a day for 20 years. I never called in sick unless it was to play hooky. I have probably had 3 colds in the past 20 years and never had the flu. I have no breathing or heart problems. Yes, SOME people may have issues. Myself I think genetics has a lot to do with it as does it in any health issues. But of course insurance companies target the smokers first for a quick buck. I am responding to the quote about where this person also mentioned obese people. To my knowledge obese people never have to pay higher premium. Yeah, that seems fair.

The statistics bear out the statement that smokers tend to take more sick days and cost employers and insurance companies more than non smokers. The fact that there are outliers to this generalization is irrelevant to many employers. They can't really bank on the possibility that ALL of their smoking employees are also outliers. That's statistically unlikely.

[Floridanuthouse]

I agree. I am a contractor. I work for a different company in the hospital who does nicotine test on their employees. I am being told I need to pass a nicotine test to keep my job. I do not smoke at work. I smoke at home. I feel it controls what I do on my off time. Does anyone else feel this way?

[GM2RN]

Floridanuthouse said:

I work for a different company in the hospital who does nicotine test on their employees. I am being told I need to pass a nicotine test to keep my job. I do not smoke at work. I smoke at home.

I agree with keeping smoking out of the workplace during all working hours, even lunch and breaks, but what someone does after they punch out is their own business.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

GM2RN said:

I agree with keeping smoking out of the workplace during all working hours, even lunch and breaks, but what someone does after they punch out is their own business.

Clearly that's not the case. More and more facilities are doing this.

[Floridanuthouse]

This is just a starting point. Soon it will be cholesterol screening, alcohol, and marijuana. These are all abused on employees free times also. I feel if we're screening for nicotine, then we shout also screen for these. We all know the people who call off on weeks because they like to indulge.

[GM2RN]

Horseshoe said:

Clearly that's not the case. More and more facilities are doing this.

It is the case. Just because companies overstep by trying to control every aspect of their employees lives doesn't make it right.

edited to add: They get away with it because we let them. Doesn't mean it's right. Not enough people stand together to say "enough!"

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

Floridanuthouse said:

This is just a starting point. Soon it will be cholesterol screening, alcohol, and marijuana. These are all abused on employees free times also. I feel if we're screening for nicotine, then we shout also screen for these. We all know the people who call off on weeks because they like to indulge.

Most already do screen for those in pre-employment labs.

[elkpark]

Horseshoe said:

Most already do screen for those in pre-employment labs.

And a growing number of employers are instituting incentive programs and employee health programs linked to health insurance premiums based on smoking, cholesterol levels, weight and BMIs ... AFAIK, most of those are voluntary so far, but I expect a lot of employers will gradually make them mandatory. The handwriting is on the wall, folks.

[Jigglypop01]

It sounds jacked up, but its still valid, i am overweight, and my job offers insurance that pays for gastric surgery. With obesity comes a laundry list of ailments, easier to treat it.....gettin surgey will not only be a tool to assist my wgt loss plan, but it will put my DM in remission if not resolve it all together.

[texasred007]

I was hired for a job at a hospital and they were sending me for my physical. I told the nurse that hired me I was using a vape to quit smoking. She told me to stop using it and rescheduled my physical for 3 days later. The nicotine level I was using was 12 mg. I think if you are not a heavy smoker, you would be okay within 72 hours, but I am sure each individual is different. I hope this helps.

[doornextgirl]

When is Saliva Drug Test the Right Option?

To find out the answer, let's take a look at its pros and cons. Pros of Saliva Nicotine Testing The saliva test is the most non-invasive, and the easiest nicotine test to administer.

Cons of Saliva Nicotine Testing

Saliva test has a very short detection window. Usually, it's reliable only if the donor has used nicotine very recently.

[panderon88]

I'm writing to my senators with a petition signed by 400 nurses. Try it. It worked for me before when I bought meds from canada. They stopped confiscating all Canadian mess to US.