Drug tests

Nurses Recovery

Published

Hello all,

I finally got my agreement and the big packet of paper. I will have two years of monitoring for drugs, nowhere does it say anything about alcohol other than if they deem me to need a chemical dependency evaluation I may THEN be required to abstain from alcohol. Has anyone heard of this? I assumed it would be a soy sauce/wine/drink free lonnnggg couple of years. I am very grateful but don't trust the process. How do they eliminate that from the tests? The different options?? I wonder if my tests will be cheaper?

As for testing? I am planning on going in the am if at all possible on those days. Do you hold your bladder and not urinate at all until you get the test from the whole night? Do you pee in the middle of the night? I am worried about planning for those contingencies!

First lab is now first source. What are your experiences with it? Do you use the app?

Thank you in advance

Up Vote Up Vote ×

No, I have never heard of this. Why are they monitoring you for drugs in the first place if you don't even need a chemical dependency evaluation? It makes no sense... I would call whoever your case manager is just to make sure about the alcohol.

No, I would not hold your urine all night. You could get a UTI that way. Just don't drink gallons of water beforehand or it could show up as diluted.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was asked to do a drug test for work and admitted to having thc in my system. I was fired three years ago and just now got my agreement. I will have drug testing for two years for that reason, the consent has the testing, continuing ed, background check, reports to the employers, etc..

I am surprised as well. I lawyered up asap, kept my mouth closed and didn't talk to a soul. I went to a ten week class with all clean screens immediately as well. I'm not sure if that helped? No evaluation requested and they basically say that I am not restricted from alcohol use. My lawyer was surprised as well. I am not a drinker, it gives me horrible migraines, but am very relieved to no have to avoid so many things. After three years of reading horror stories I guess I just don't trust it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

What state are you in?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Surprisingly the dreaded Ohio..

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Huh. I've never heard of not needing a chemical dependency evaluation or not having to obstain from alcohol. Maybe because it was "only" THC. I know in IL you'd have to do the whole program, even just for THC. Maybe your lawyer is really good lol.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm not tested for alcohol either and have no limits/ restrictions on using it. My "crime" was thc and not while working. As far as urines, definitely don't hold it, just drink normal amounts of water and you should be fine. First Lab app on the phone is good. Just be sure you check in between your allowed times or it counts as a missed check in. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/surg/ortho.

I've heard of this, someone I know had a similar situation happen. Seems reasonable that you would get the same kind of agreement as her.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you, its good to know its actually real and an option. They took THREE years to get to me. I am honestly at this point, am not looking forward to working as nurse at all but want to clear my license as best I can so I can have any future in healthcare. I will always have this mark visible on my license.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/surg/ortho.

What mark? You didn't mention anything about that are you on probation or something. Disciplinary actions in your license? So you weren't already working as an RN prior to this? NP?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Sorry, I wasn't clear.

I will have public discipline on my license. If I comply with the two year agreement i will not have any restrictions so it will be unencumbered but the public record of my discipline will be there forever. Ohio apparently has gotten rid of their alternative program completely and now all nurses will have public discipline.

I had worked as an RN for six years previously. My incident was a solid three years ago. This is considered probation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR.

With the only residual being the mark on the license, this actually seems reasonable in comparison to the gauntlet that a lot of us have been shoved through.

So many of these "alternative to discipline" programs seem to exist for no other reason than to line the pockets of some contracted outfit that of course has contracts/contacts/approval agreements with all sorts of evaluators/treatment places/P testing companies etc. and then we STILL have the license mark to boot. Maybe Ohio finally figured out that these programs do little to nothing to monitor truly ill nurses and serve mostly to punish those that quite likely don't need it, and in the process drive good nurses out of the profession. One can only hope that someone, somewhere came to their senses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment