omg, help please

Tharem · Aug 15, 2008

He stated that it didn't matter why I was on a narcotic and that the hospital will view it as impaired judgement and I will be denied clinicals.

If only trace amounts are detected, and you have a note of explanation from your doctor, I don't know how they can claim that you are 'on a narcotic'. The best thing to do at this point is to take the test on the 20th and wait for the results. If anything is detected and they try to deny you, you can present your case to the proper authorities either at your school or the hospital. Do you start clinicals right away? Maybe they would allow you to be retested before they actually start.

It just seems to me they should be more reasonable and flexible in a case like this. I would take it all the way to the dean or the state if I had to.

pharmgirl · Aug 15, 2008

Thank you Tharem, it seemed irrational to me as well and I assumed since I had a prescription I would be fine. When he told me that it didnt matter "why", I went into panic mode. I believe clinicals start on the 25th or the 2nd. I'm hoping with a 24 hour 1/2 life, It will be gone in a week. Do you know if drug tests are a "positive/negative" thing or do they show levels?

Tharem · Aug 15, 2008

Do you know if drug tests are a "positive/negative" thing or do they show levels?

It probably depends on the test. Since clinicals don't start for another week or two, that at least gives the option for retesting, and I would think that a reasonable person would make that option available considering the circumstances. Or maybe you could have a second test done on your own just prior to clinicals and in time to present them with the results just prior to starting.

A note from your doctor, and perhaps even a phone call from him, might influence them to reconsider if it first doesn't go your way.

missjennmb · Aug 15, 2008

wow I cant believe they would be so unyielding. Its not like you had a tooth pulled or something else minor. Is there any chance your doc could switch you to something else that is better than tylenol but won't "impair your judgement"?

I would definitely go to the board or whatever you need to do, if you have any difficulty with this. It seems illogical that they would respond this way, IMO.

pharmgirl · Aug 15, 2008

thx scorpio, I'm going to pray that its out of my system by next wednesday and I'm going to stay at the hospital until the results are in my hand. If they come back positive I'm going to walk over to the HR department and speak with them directly and go from there. I've spoken to my dr. office and they are appalled as well. The hospital where my surgery was performed is the hospital in question. just crazy. I never would have imagined that I would be worried about a drug screen.

JStyles1 · Aug 15, 2008

is that even legal? to have a drug screening being part of the stipulations that you can attend college?

what school is this?

txnursingqt · Aug 15, 2008

Don't worry it should definitely be out of our system. I went through something similar myself but with a drug test for a job. With the amount you took and the timeframe it will not show up. Rest assured.

pharmgirl · Aug 15, 2008

Its Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College. Its actually a good program that i am very honored to attend. And I also actually understand the reasoning for a drug screen. You really don't want to have a druggie in clinicals. I get that whole point. However, I am more upset with the fact that even WITH a prescription I may be denied clinicals. From the tone of the email from the director, it sounds as if it is hospital policy (where clinicals are) rather than school policy but I could be wrong. I keep thinking that surely they didnt expect me to have this surgery with no pain meds. And what about the IV Sedation they used on me? Is that still in my system too? The hospital where my clincials will be is the hospital where my surgery was, so you would think that they would be aware.

I intentionally pushed to have this scheduled before school started, as to not interfere with my studies. Had I known in advance that a drug screen would be a week later I would have sorted this out beforehand but I didnt have that luxury. I fully intend to fight if I am denied clinicals though, with who I dont know yet, but I will fight it.

Tharem · Aug 15, 2008

is that even legal? to have a drug screening being part of the stipulations that you can attend college?
what school is this?

It's a requirement of the some of the hospitals (clinical sites), not actually the school. In my area some of the hospitals we use require it and some don't.

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Aug 15, 2008

We had to go for drug screening before starting classes and then once again before we started clinicals in one particular hospital. As long as we notified the testing center of all the prescribed meds we took and could back it up with a note from the doc and the prescription bottle all was well. we were also warned of random drug screens, whether they had just cause or not. You could be randomly picked at any time during school to produce a sample for testing. That little bit kept plenty of my schoolmates from enduldging in some of their little "party" favorites (pot)

The way I am reading what you said is that they will deny clinicals not school. I could maybe understand denial of going to clinicals with narcs in your blood because they can and often do impair your judgement but if you aren't even starting in clinicals yet why would it matter??

Is there someone above the person who told you that you would be denied no matter what the reason for the meds? Perhaps ask them.

To Pineapple Devil: Yes, its legal. A school can deny entrance to their school if you come up + for illegal and/or unprescribed meds. Just as any employeer can have the same policy.

brendadoug · Aug 15, 2008

I hope your test comes back benign. I think your pain meds will be out of your system. I would be worried about the breast lump. I went through cancer 3 years ago, and I am starting nursing school next week. Good luck