I did a stupid, stupid thing...Need Advise!!

[New_LPN]

After a year of hard work, I made it through LPN school and passed my boards in May. In June my world fell apart when my mother died and I lost a baby at 22 weeks. As you can imagine I was overwhelmed by grief. I had somewhat of a breakdown, and stupidly turned to smoking marijuana to ease my pain. (Please know I do not think using drugs is a good way to cope, it was a very poor decision.)

I finally came to my senses last week and stopped smoking. I am seeing a counselor and going to support group meetings. I have no intention of ever smoking again, I value my work as a Nurse and would never put patients at risk by using illegal drugs.

I do not currently have a job, but want more than anything to start working as an LPN so I can gain experience and have the confidence and skills needed to continue my education and get my RN.

Here's the problem: I know that the THC may stay in my body for up to 90 days and I do not want to jeopardize my future as a Nurse by having a positive drug test result. But I also don't want to wait for three months to start interviewing for jobs.

If I were to interview and be hired, do you think I could explain my situation and still be considered for the position? Or am I just out of luck until the drugs leave my system?

Any advise would be greatly appreciated, thank you for taking the time to read this!

[MagsMom]

I am very sorry about your situation. Everyone copes differently.

I am not sure if anyone suggested this - but yes, wait it out but before you start applying go an get a drug test from a clinic. At my place of employment you can't be hired for a period of 3 years if you test postive at hire. You do not want to jeopardize any future chances of getting a job. I would not explain anything or tell anyone - good luck

[sissiesmama, ASN, RN]

OP - I sent u a pm, let me know if u didn't get it.

One thing I did several yrs ago when I took off some time from FT nursing was get a job at McDonalds. Sounds silly, but I worked at a McD location inside a shopping mall and did kids b day parties, PR stuff, even did a few commercials that the owners did locally. Not the best option money wise, but it was something I felt I needed to do.

Hugs - Anne, RNC

[sissiesmama, ASN, RN]

Thank you Anne for your support and advise!

U are very welcome!! Hope things get a little better for you soon!

Anne, RNC

[ArianeZ]

Please do not tell any prospective employer your business. You have a licence to protect. Use the time you're waiting for the THC to get out of your system wisely. You've just been through a lot. In this kind of economy it's not a shock if you haven't worked as a nurse immediately after passing the boards. Some people actually take some time for themselves after graduation before they start job hunting. Good luck.

[BunnySan27]

Please by no means tell Any potential employer that you smoked or have smoked marijuana....can we say deal breaker....Besides you already have the label of a new grad....by all means wait the 30-45 days for your system to be clean and by all means from this point on don't smoke any more marijuana....#justmytwocents....

[goltzilocks]

Dont tell a potential employer. Like previous post get home drug test first to see if youre clean. Job markey too competitive to take a chance. Just my 2 cents

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

i agree with the the above posters that you may need more time to deal with your grief.

i have not heard that mj stays in your system that long. do some research.

best wishes.

yeah. it can stick around a while, especially in the fat cells- and if there's a change in diet/weight, people who previously tested negative can test positive even with no additional use. also depends on the cut offs for the test as to how much it takes to trigger a positive test. :)

can you get one of the otc drug tests, and see where you're starting at ? get a few of them, and test every week or so- you'll at least have a clue of where you stand; that doesn't mean an employer will use the same sort of test- but it could help you at least know... and yeah- some work with a grief counselor sounds more than appropriate; i'm so sorry you've had to deal with all of that.

these links discuss the time it takes for thc to leave your system (and yes- 90 days is repeatedly mentioned- depending on level and frequency of use :))

http://www.stardetox.com/page_how-long-does-marijuana-stay-in-your-system.html

http://wiki.answers.com/q/how_long_does_marijuana_stay_in_your_system

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/how-long-does-thc-stay-in-your-system.html

http://www.blurtit.com/q507603.html

[AreEn17]

I don't know how much and how often you were using MJ but how long it stays in your system depends partly on how heavy of a user you were. Go get a home drug test and see if you currently test positive. Also, I don't know what area of the country you live in but it's possible it could take you 3 months or longer to get a job in this current job market. So by waiting 3 months to even start looking, you may be delaying finding a job even longer.

As far as what to tell a potential employer about a period of time that you didn't work, you can attribute it to the tough job market and that it took time to find a position. If you feel you must address your personal situation a general explanation is fine, e.g. an important family matter that you were dealing with.

Good luck to you and my condolences on both of your losses.

[Marshall1]

I am so sorry for you losses...I know what grief can do and how, in the mist of pain, decision can be made that can cause more stress...been there..as for pot staying in your system for 3 months..I don't think so..I would do a little research and as some have suggested, go get yourself tested or get one of the home drug tests. I would NOT tell ANY employer potential or otherwise about smoking. There is no reason to give them any information at this point when you have no idea what your drug test will show...you would be knocking yourself out of consideration by even mentioning this. I am glad to know you are seeing a therapist and, while some one here will disagree, antidepressants may help as well.

I made the mistake of stopping work a few years ago when something very similar happened to me. In hindsight, I should've taken time off instead of resigning. I have had a difficult time returning to work - mostly due to my anxiety...if you stay home too long it becomes a safe haven and an excuse of sorts to not take care of your life and to avoid...everything. I also think not working or at least not working consistently has allowed the losses to basically overwhelm me because there is sooooo much time to think about it all. Balance is what you are after. Go ahead and apply for jobs..in the meantime, try to get yourself tested. I think you will be fine. And again, I wish you all the best in making a new life for yourself.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

First, thank you for your kind words. Secondly, I do have a great deal of emotional support, but not financial. This is quite a dilemma. I'm going to need to find some kind of job, but not really sure how or what yet. Do I tell potential employers I'm a Nurse? How do I explain this? And when I do start interviewing for Nursing jobs, how do I explain the long period of not having a Nursing job?

I haven't read the whole thread but I am so sorry for what you are going through:hug:. You need time to heal. Have you seen a grief counsler? Get something low stress for now. You don't need the added stress of possibly testing positive for pot and what that might mean. When you are in a better place emotionally I think telling any prospective employer that you lost your baby and your mother and it took you a while to emotionally recover and be available to work is explanation enough......never tell them about smoking pot, heck there are those who won't hire those who smoke cigatetts and they're legal!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug_test#Detection_periods

http://www.dmme.virginia.gov/DM/Announcements%20From%20The%20Chief/DrugFreeWorkplace.pdf

I wish you nothing but peace.....my prayers for you to heal...:redbeathe

[seizetheday]

As someone who lives in a country where pot has been decriminalized I find people's reactions to someone smoking a joint now and then to be over the top. See people like her in psych...what does that mean?? Worried about if she can care for patients (alcohol impacts your ability to function more than marijuana). I have a lot of friends - some being nurses who smoke a joint now and then - it in no way impairs any of their ability to function, it is healthier than alcohol and they are not addicts. Like drinking you have to use in moderation and not drive/ work while under the effects. If you are a responsible smoker then I don't see the issue. I know in the USA it is illegal and that adds to the issue, however it doesn't change the effects of MJ.

OP - I am sorry for what you have gone through, you have had a great deal of loss. While smoking pot may not have been the best way to cope (given it is illegal), you did what you did and now you are moving forward. I agree with the others, get a test kit. Also you can read up on ways to clean marijuana from your system so that it is long gone before any interview you might have. Do not mention it in an interview...ever. Good luck on the job hunt.

[NursErin07]

I would wait it out to be safe. You do not have to go into detail as to why you needed time off of work. That is personal. You could just say that you had some personal issues in your life and needed to deal with them. You can do it, stay strong.