Failed drug test, getting reported to BON

Nurses Recovery

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I recently failed a drug test because I had took some tylenol/codeine the night before for my migraines since my sumatriptan was not working. I don't have proof of prescription for this because I had gotten this while on vacation outside of the USA. And this med was pretty much OTC since no script was need by the pharmacy. I was on this medication for a week for my second degree burn. I had some leftover and took it to help with the migraines. I completely forgot about the medication and stupidly did the drug test. I was informed I would be reported to the BON. I started reading about what will happen to me and it sounds horrible. All the horror stories about going through their rehab program and spending outrageous amounts of money while unable to be employed. I talked to a lawyer and he say if I am not working now to just go ahead with the program *(TnPAP) or if I can work, continue to work until the BON contact me. Eventually, the BON would require me to go through the rehab program anyways. He commented that the program is horrible and sometimes there are to end in sight. And also, while in the program I am not allowed to work. I don't know what to do. I don't know if I can put up with going to rehab for this mistake because all I can think of is I don't have a drug issue. And I am the sole provider since my parents are unable to work due to medical issues. I just feel so lost and upset.

Also, I was told to self report because it looks better that way. I really don't know if that would change anything. Some people were saying not to do it. The lawyer wasn't much help in helping me decide since it was just a free consultation.

Don't know what to do. I feel like giving up and probably just start over with a new career or something. Which is also another hurdle of its own, starting over from ground 1. At the moment I'm pretty much mourning the lost of my job and possibly license. What do you guys think?

Ouch, lets leave the walnuts & "the middle" outta this equation. They have taken everything else that gives me joy. Gotta draw the line somewhere!!!!

Unless I'm wrong (a distinct possibility always) you wouldn't know you were reported until the state contacted you & by that time your opportunity to self report would have passed. Is this incorrect?

I thought you could self-report at any time. Also usually the board will send you a certified letter that you have to sign for when they are contacting you to let you know you're under investigation. At least that's what they do in some states. I would think that you could not sign for the certified letter on that particular day. and go and self-report then. I know it sounds crazy but when dealing with the board you have to try to find any and every loophole you can.

I agree trauma I just hope that gambit works. It seems like you are not self-reporting if they already got the goods on you so to speak

I agree trauma I just hope that gambit works. It seems like you are not self-reporting if they already got the goods on you so to speak

But imagine if she self-reports and nothing was ever sent to the board. She would have to go through years of meetings and testings for nothing. í ½í¸³í ½í¸±

I totally agree trauma!!! Here the major (only) advantage to self reporting is that for a first offense the transgression doesn't become public and there is no permanent record of being in a monitoring program. I guess you have to weigh what you think the BON already knows. If they know nothing its best to shut up. If they know all & it won't survive the scrutiny of an investigate its best to self-report

Well, so now I'm still in the middle. I'm guessing the only way to know is to call that hospital HR department and asked if I have been reported yet ? And I just realized I called myself a snob addict. I must have been so sleepy to not realize that autocorrect was at work. I meant non-addict.

I'm guessing the only way to know is to call that hospital HR department and asked if I have been reported yet?

NO NO NO!! Do not poke the hornets nest!! Do not remind them to call the board in case someone dropped the ball and forgot to call!! Do not call anybody!! Go get yourself a job and try to suppress the anxiety of it all and the urge to call anyone! Might as well be working as a nurse and saving money just in case!!

And also, I think the chance of that hospital reporting me is super high because there is a new law that passed that if a nurse tested positive without proper prescription then it's an automatic report to BON. The state that I apply to work for and state that I live in has this law. Used to, if a nurse is tested positive and he/she voluntarily go to (any) rehab, the nurse won't be reported to BON

Specializes in OR.

Auto correct is a tool of Satan anyway. There still doesn't seem to be a good option either way. It doesn't seem like there is any consistency in how things work. You could wait for the BON and find that they say, sign up for this program and nothing will Be public and you go on your way. If you go off and self report and that threat to report to the BON was empty, you've signed up for this nightmare for nothing. I would definitely have NO contact with that hospital HR dept. if they've not reported you, don't remind them.

My thinking is that your best shot is with contacting the BON and asking. You can ask a simple "has there been a complaint filed against license #******. Doesn't commit you to anything if the answer is no.

Also if the answer is yes, you've got contact with them straight up. Given what happened is so cut and dry, there's nothing to ‘investigate.' If your state has a non-addict ‘punishment lite' as I like to call it, I would think this is how to get to it, instead of crucifying yourself by running out and jumping into the sewer pit of evaluations and contracts and cement shoes, etc.

Maybe if you retained an attorney he could write a letter of inquiry to the BON asking if any complaints have been filed against your license with the additional caveat that you have retained counsel and that any and all contact must go through him or her.

NO NO NO!! Do not poke the hornets nest!! Do not remind them to call the board in case someone dropped the ball and forgot to call!! Do not call anybody!! Go get yourself a job and try to suppress the anxiety of it all and the urge to call anyone! Might as well be working as a nurse and saving money just in case!!

I Agree 100% if they are going to report you, they already have and its too late to self report anyway. When the BON contacts you about it, retain the attorney and get all the proof you can about where you got the medicine. Good luck

As far as if it's too late to self report, that depends on the state. Whether you should either self report or not also depends on the state. So call a nurse lawyer that specializes in your state.

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