Waiting for the Results of a Drug Test. I'm Freaking Out!

[lorenwithano]

I'm a recent nursing grad and had an interview at a great hospital about a month ago. I was offered the position and went in on January 22nd for a physical and drug testing at a facility called Concentra (I believe they have many locations around the country). Three days prior to this test, I had been around a group of people who were smoking marijuana 2 days in a row (common excuse, I know... But I have never done drugs)... Enough smoke was in the room. I was very nervous that I might not pass because I have heard second hand smoke can cause you to fail. So I took an at home drug test for marijuana and I passed it fine.

So... Back to my drug testing at Concentra. The physical went great. The MA asked me to give a urine sample to test for glucose.. I told her it may not be much because I really didn't have to use the restroom, and she said this was fine, however, I could not leave the facility until I gave a urine sample for the drug testing, otherwise it would be considered a refusal to test and I would fail. So, after the glucose test... I sat in the waiting room, and so was nervous that I wouldn't be able to provide a sample... I drank 40 ounces of juice in about 10 minutes! 45 minutes later I let the MA know I was ready. So I give my sample and it was practically water... Very clear with very little yellow. I left.

Now I know Concentra express ships samples to a place in Memphis to be analyzed... But I took the test on January 22nd and it is now February 1st and I haven't heard anything from my soon to be employer (hopefully). I am nervous about 2 things and maybe some of you can offer me some of your insight on the situation:

1. I tested positive for THC? Even though I passed the at home drug test.

2. The sample was so clear that they thought I was trying to fool the test?

3. The hospital has not called me back yet. So I am wondering how long urine drug testing usually takes.

I'm just very nervous and making myself absolutely sick over it. I don't do drugs!

Thank you everyone!

[southernbeegirl, BSN, RN]

one more thing.....

some employers actually turn applicants into the state board if their screen is positive. i actually had this happen to a friend of mine a few years ago. she tested positive for pot and they turned her in. my friend had to have an eval by an addiciton specialist (which cost her $500 out of pocket) and she ended up having to go to treatment and sign a contract with the state peer program for 5 yrs and now it's forever on her license. and all she did was smoke pot.

ETA: my friend had to do all this just to keep her license. it had nothing to do with criminal charges as they only turned her into the BON.

if you have a positive screen anywhere and it's reported to the BON, they will not let you practice until they are sure you are safe.

[winterallsummer]

I have NEVER heard of legal issues resulting from someone failing an employee drug test, particularly for marijuana. In fact I find it extremely unlikely for there to be a) the legal right of the employer to do such a thing, b) a failed drug test to work as substantial evidence, c) the involvement of the state and legal department to be so high, and d) someone being punished so severely for failing a drug test and not being convicted of possession.

[southernbeegirl, BSN, RN]

winterallsummer said:

I have NEVER heard of legal issues resulting from someone failing an employee drug test, particularly for marijuana. In fact I find it extremely unlikely for there to be a) the legal right of the employer to do such a thing, b) a failed drug test to work as substantial evidence, c) the involvement of the state and legal department to be so high, and d) someone being punished so severely for failing a drug test and not being convicted of possession.

If you are responding to me, then reread my post because I didn't say she had legal ramifications. The hospital turned her into the state board for testing positive for a drug screen. Legally, that is what all health care facilities are supposed to do. If she went to another job and killed someone, I would think the hospital could be liable as well for not reporting her as an impaired nurse if it ever came out that she failed a test and they didn't report it.

The state board is very specific about impaired nurses. They are supposed to be reported. This hospital has a very strong stance against impaired nurses and definitely turns in every impaired nurse.

I don't understand #d of your post. You feel a nurse shouldn't have consequences for failing a drug test unless they have been convicted of a crime? If so then you might want to read the rules in your state because the bon definitely do give nurses consequences like revocation of a license, probation, treatment, etc if they test positive on a test whether they are convicted or not. In fact, most nurses i was in treatment for were not convicted of a crime.

[Tay245, RN]

Although I really like this site it upsets me that some people can be so judgemental. I have been in the same situation and has worried just as much if not more. I understand that as a professional you have to make better decisions but as a human being you make mistakes. The point is that you learn from your mistakes not have a bunch of people throw in your face the decision you SHOULD have made.

The point of this forum is to SUPPORT and while I know that honesty is great, making someone feel worse is truly horrible. You cannot always help who you are friends with, although you can decide the activites you participate in. I have never taken a drug in my life but I have been around people that smoke. Does that make me a bad person, I don't think so. In fact, I think it makes me a better person because I don't judge them. I won't allow myself to get in trouble because of what they do but I won't pass judgement.

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

I took a drug test for a new job last year it took 10 days for them to get back to me, I had already refused the job as I changed my mind at the last min. The doc phoned me to say traces of a pain med were in my urine and as I had prescription for this he would need to contact my pharmacy and clarify. i thanked him and said he would not need to contact the pharmacy as I had decided to stay at my current place of employment he then told me if he didnt contact the pharmacy to confirm my prescription he would have to report my drug test as positive and it could have ramifications. So of course I gave him my pharmacy number straight away.

[Magsulfate, BSN, RN]

southernbeegirl said:

You bought a home drug screen test prior to taking this test?

I am almost 5 yrs clean and sober. With that experience behind me I say this.....

The only, and i mean ONLY times that my drug screens took a week or more were the ones that tested immediately positive and then had to be sent off for confirmation.

A dilute sample is considered a positive drug screen.

I did have a test that actually got lost in transit once and they didnt call me for 2 weeks to tell me to retest.

personally? i think you should start looking for another job.

and personally, and my opinion only, i think the level of your anxiety is way too high for it to just be about second hand smoke. btw...second hand smoke RARELY causes a positive.

I know, I know, you are going to say to me "i dont do drugs! i was just in the room". you say you had no choice. EVERYONE has choices. you could have walked out of the room while they were smoking if nothing else. if my friends didnt respect me enough not to smoke around me if i was that worried, well, they wouldnt be my friends.

I would have to totally agree with this whole statement. The anxiety level of the OP and the follow up posts by the OP suspiciously smell of paranoia.

I would also like to add one thing, if you test positive for marijuana, the potential employer has the right to notify your state's board of nursing, and a lot of them will.

[Magsulfate, BSN, RN]

I have NEVER heard of legal issues resulting from someone failing an employee drug test, particularly for marijuana. In fact I find it extremely unlikely for there to be a) the legal right of the employer to do such a thing, b) a failed drug test to work as substantial evidence, c) the involvement of the state and legal department to be so high, and d) someone being punished so severely for failing a drug test and not being convicted of possession.

Yes, there are ramifications to nurses that test positive for marijuana or any other illegal substance, even if it is just a pre-employment test. Failing a Pre employment UDS is grounds for disciplinary action on your nursing license.

[Magsulfate, BSN, RN]

Tay245 said:

Although I really like this site it upsets me that some people can be so judgemental. I have been in the same situation and has worried just as much if not more. I understand that as a professional you have to make better decisions but as a human being you make mistakes. The point is that you learn from your mistakes not have a bunch of people throw in your face the decision you SHOULD have made.

The point of this forum is to SUPPORT and while I know that honesty is great, making someone feel worse is truly horrible. You cannot always help who you are friends with, although you can decide the activites you participate in. I have never taken a drug in my life but I have been around people that smoke. Does that make me a bad person, I don't think so. In fact, I think it makes me a better person because I don't judge them. I won't allow myself to get in trouble because of what they do but I won't pass judgement.

She came asking for advice, while most people really want advice, it's hard to tell which people really just want to be told "everything is okay" and "you'll do fine" and everything is rainbows and unicorns. When I have a real problem, and I want ALL SIDES of advice, I come here. When I have a problem and I want someone to pat me on the head and say "oh you poor baby, you will be alright, they are mean mean people! and you don't deserve this!" I'd go to my mom for that.

[dorimar, BSN, RN]

Making innocent mistakes can be learning experiences, except when my family member is a patient on the end of the caregiver making those innocent mistakes.

[gapeachRN2009, BSN, RN]

JUST SAY NO!!!

[BradleyRN]

I am ashamed to read many of these posts! "Get new friends"??? That is the most ridiculous advice i have ever read! You WILL NOT fail a drug test simply from being present where marijuana is smoked. I believe that is the advice you were seeking, and not all these judgemental, self righteous responses. However, i am glad to see that the billions spent on the war on drugs has not been totally futile. I only wish we could start a war on speeding so all these people telling you what to do would stop breaking the law themselves. They will say that it doesnt matter if it is safer than alcohol, because it is "illegal", yet do they come to a complete stop at every single stop sign every single time? Cast your stones people! For me to have this point of view, i must be a user! Well i am not, yet i still feel glad to know we dont burn witches at the stake anymore, or im sure many of you would burn me first and think later, maybe.

And to those of you saying she must be a pothead or she wouldnt be so paranoid, i think you missed your calling. You should be answering phones at the psychic network, or at least interrogating suspected terrorists. If you can tell someone is lying just by reading words on a screen, then you obviously have amazing powers of perception!

Keep your friends! I have many and some smoke weed, just like America's olympic hero Michael Phelps. Oh yes, he too is a witch.

[Tait, MSN, RN]

Topics never to bring up unless you plan on taking a beating: drugs, sex at work, infidelity, stripping (lol) religion/politics.

Anyway, I have stated my opinion in a private message to the OP, but I have to say, I think her paranoia proves her innocene rather than condemns her.

Most people who haven't done drugs worry incessantly about being assumed they do, especially when they hang out with drug users.

**edited since its 3am and maybe this part didn't really make sense**

Tait