Pre- employment drug testing

so, by that definition, no nurse in the state of florida is depressed? or at least appropriately treated for depression??? because AD by def. alter mood!! so, in the fine state of florida, your training is getting poorer (new law diminishing req to grad.) AND you cant be depressed.....hmmm

I am in IPN as well. While I appreciate your concern, you can inquire as to what medications are questionable without the hammer being brought down on you. I know the nursing board does not advocate for the nurses, but they are not some big scary entity either. I asked this same question to the board of nursing many years ago when I was taking medications for my bipolar disorder. They were very nice, sent me out a list and no further inquiry was made with regard to what I was or was not taking. They absolutely did not do any of the above referenced things that you mentioned.

Things are very bad here, Morte. We have some of the lowest requirements in the country to be able to be a nurse. We are absolutely inundated with new grads who have below par education. You used to have to have at least a B average to get into nursing school, along with taking an exam similar to that of the SAT's. Now, that test has been all but done away with and you can waltz into nursing school with a C average.

Getting back to the original topic and your question about depression...the nursing board here in Florida is VERY clear about their policies. It is sort of a "don't ask/don't tell" kind of situation here (not the boards suggestion, just my own observation). Most AD's won't show up on a regular drug screen, but if you are prescribed benzos (ie:xanax) for an anxiety disorder of any kind, you are up a creek without a paddle. The nursing boards stance here is to "taper off" these medications prior to working at any facility. They leave very little room for the depressed albeit competant nurse to practice.

sigh...no right to privacy...
They apparently would rather their depressed nurses drank alcohol than took a xanax.

To Cherybaby : I sincerely apologize if my post offended you in any way. My intention was to inform and I feel like I dropped the ball. I have no involvement with the BON and should have not made assumptions . As for IPN :they have been very nice and always shown me concern and respect. I am blessed and absolutely love my new job. But I will never forget the 74 applications , the 11 interviews and being told by one Human (?) Resource manager "we don't hire people like you". Anyone who is in IPN needs realize that the next IPN person will be judged from our behavior .

Simply stated... the medication that your doctor legally prescribes you is LEGAL and it is YOUR PRIVATE INFORMATION protected by LAW. As long as you are not impared and your job performance does not suffer from using these legally prescribed medications, , , it is NONE OF ANYONE'S business.

POINT BLANK.

Mood stabilizers are not considered mind altering; SSRI's are acceptable. Basically any scheduled substance is a no-no, including ultram...call your BON, don't believe me.

Call your BON disciplinary committee and ask them. They're nice people and i've called them (many states) for many nurses with questions like yours. In regards to that manager hiring staff on narcotics; there are laws about being in an altered state while practicing. Ask the entity that controls and mandates this and you'll have no issues. Remember, MOST of those working in the disciplinary/diversion/rehab departments have been there, done that.

Just call and ask legit what meds can be worked under? Don't go into amounts; just say I've got a doc who's going to prescribe xyz; should I take them and if I do, what about the laws. Tell them you want to be sure because you do! It's a legit question they have to answer or publish on their website.

If anyone does a random screen on a working nurse despite what some hiring manager has done, bad things can happen so it would behoove anyone who may be prescribed anything to know your BON laws. Their job is to protect the public and legislation has recognized some civil liberties of few may be squeezed for civil liberties (safety) of many. That's why everyone's drug test crazy. No I don't believe in it or like it but that's how it is so I stay compliant with my state and my BON without rationalizing anything to anyone for anyone or suggesting cutting corners. It's just not worth it.

The reason? If someone's prescribed a narcotic, then one can divert a narcotic with an "out" and statistics show it happens and often. Also prn and non chronic narcotics are mind and judgment altering so the BON's for the most part say they must not touch the public or make decisions for or treat the public. All the one's I know (for public charge of safety and liability) have the zero tolerance with practice policy.

I'm not an authority and may be wrong. From my experience the only drugs that aren't a part of a basic drug screen, could possibly present a problem if discovered and may be covered under some sort of confidentiality clause is methadone and suboxone. I say this because of my own experiences and the fact that you pointed out that many people are on 80+mg. Given that these particular drugs are usually given in a not so isolated, group- type of atmoshere, it's fairly easy to ascertain who is on what dose. It has been many, many years, they may have changed their dispensing protocals but this is what I remember.

I'm not saying this is what you are taking, only that from you're description, this is what it sounds like. You certainly have a right to your confidentiality, however, given that this post is in the Recovery portion of this site I'm gonna tell you what I hear in the 'Rooms' constantly. If you give only half the truth, you'll get only half the help.

While it's true that given the desire, time and energy someone may be able to find out your identity, this is a confidential site in itself. I don't think that given the professions on this site, anyone really has the time to put forth so much effort. So it say's to me that unless you used your birth name as your handle, you can't even be honest with yourself as to what you are taking because none of us would know you anyway. It reminds me of how hard it was to admit to myself that I had a problem. Even when I knew deep down I did.

I'm not projecting and forgive me if I offend you. It's not my intent. This is a site, especially this thread, where we assist each other and sometimes that assistance would be more harmful if it wasn't given honestly. I hope you get the answers that you seek and that you are sucessful whether you disclose or not.

OKay, I digress.. regress,,, undress,, whatever! haha.. okay,, Call your state board to be 100 percent sure. Any answer you get on here is not legal and cannot be used as an excuse if you get into trouble with your job and a legal prescription that you are taking.

Wait, let me say one more thing,,, maybe you shouldn't be taking clonidine or lopressor as they can make you sleepy and drowsy looking..... also prozac? heck no don't take that,, it might make you a little goofy too.. and we can go even further and say... don't take advil.. it makes some people sleepy,, heck it puts my hubby out like a light.. i love the stuff...