I know I am going to get reamed a new one but here goes

[whyowhy?]

OK here goes...I am an LVN who for 3 weeks WAS NOT ON ASSIGMENT, NOT WORKING AT ALL.....I participated in some pot smoking. Yea, I know..let me have it..anywho...it will be a week ago since I last "participated"...welll in the interim, a prominent medical facility called and offered me an interview...please note. I WOULD NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER JEPORDIZE A PATIENT BY COMING UNDER THE INFLUENCE! The way I see it is work is work and private time is private time...back to the story..so bascially, I was wondering, am I screwed. Should I just recind my app and not even interview. I really really want this postion and had I known they were going to be intrested in me, I would have never have participated. This particualy company takes months to get back to you, so I was not anticipating them calling me so soon, if at all! I was told by some folks that they do a simple urine screen and I also heard from others that they do a bloodwork. This particual company starts with a K and rhymes with miser. Please dont berate me and call me horrible names and tell me I am not worthy to be a nurse, because that is so far from the truth. I love nursing, I love helping people and again, I take a Pt. care seriously, because after all, it is a life I am dealing with! Thanks for listening.

[LoneWolfRN2010]

I don't understand why you would even want to take that risk. The company may "usually" take months to respond, but you never know. I wouldn't want to risk my career and license that I worked so hard to obtain just to not pass a simple drug test!

Sorry I can't be of any help as to if you are "screwed" or not. You may say you would never go into work under the influence, but ......? If you were the hospital, not knowing you from anyone else, would you hire you if you failed the drug test?

[Mashira]

I can't resist but to say that your private time is indeed your private time, but illegal is illegal, private time or not.

That said, I don't think you're a horrible person. I think you had horrible lapse in judgment that hopefully doesn't happen on a consistent basis.

When did you 'participate'? Marijuana will pass your system and test negative in the urine in anywhere between 2 to 10 days.

You are actually better off with a blood test because blood tests detect the active presence of THC in the bloodstream, which rises rapidly when you are actually smoking, and falls rapidly when you are not smoking. With a blood test you would pass in 24hrs of not smoking.

The only reason I know this is because I had to look things up for my own drug test today. (I am on meds that make me test positive for amphethamines). Hope this helps, and hope you don't 'participate' any longer.

[pielęgniarka, RN]

Go to your state's Department of Labor State Laws to find out what the laws are on pre-employment drug screening then decide if you want to go in for your interview. I'm not against pot morally BUT I don't use it because it is illegal. I worked hard to get my RN and do not want to lose it. You need to decide what is more important, smoking up or having a job.

[nursel56]

I wouldn't cancel the interview. Just don't do that again!! Even afterwards you never know when they might do a random screen and it is not worth the worry. Lots of nurses here think cannabis should be de-criminalized, and state law in California is more lax than the Federal law. Your career is worth too much to throw it away for that!

Hope everything works out for you.

[SLM3]

You should be clean by the time you have your drug test, IMO.

[Quark09]

How far out would your interview be? Depending on whether they test upon an offer of employment, or prior to interviewing, could be a factor.

[time4meRN]

You could try one of those over-the-counter drug screen tests. I have used them before on my son to check . They seem accurate and are pretty reasonable in price. I would do a couple and go from there. Just re inforces, there is tooooooo much big brother.

[Girlygirl69]

Please there are worse things than weed. I don't smoke that crap because of the exact reason you're dealing with.... And also that it's illegal, but you're not a BAD person and what you do on your own time is your business. Do you know how many functional crack and cocaine heads are walking around?? You may just have to let this job offer pass and leave the pot smoking to only special occasions!! Lmao, once or twice a year.

[Mudder]

Go to the interview, by the time they make a decision your system should be clear but I'd do a home test 1st just to be safe. AND DON'T DO IT AGAIN!!! :) If it wasn't illegal honey, a lot of nurses would "participate" but once you get on a job, you can be tested "randomly" at any time. Why would you risk your hard work for a puff??? Just ain't worth it. Will have to take up some "legal" vice like alcohol or food :)

[Davey Do]

Please dont berate me and call me horrible names and tell me I am not worthy to be a nurse...

I'll tell you something my Dad use to tell me after I had done something wrong- e.g. a fender bender in Mom's Red '65 Chevy Impala SS with white interior: "I 'm not going to punish you because I figure you've already punished yourself better than I could."

Now: you've got some Solid Information and Good Advice from your Peers. What you decide to do is always up to you.

The best to you, whyowhy.

Dave

PS: Mom wrecked the Impala the very next day backing out into traffic. Nobody was hurt, the Impala suffered a smahed-in rear quarter panel, Mom got a ticket, and I mused over how peculiar life is.

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

I wish they'd legalize it already...but that's beside the point.

You should be ok, drink a lot of water. I had to take a test once back when I was able to partake, and I took it about two weeks after the last time I partook, and passed.

By the time you interview and get through that process you should be fine.

Good luck to you.