Board Order for Positive Drug Screen

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Hello,

I have a board order for a positive drug screen. I was on a travel assignment and was having a panic attack on the floor and didn't have my xanax on me. Charge nurse noticed this and had me brought down for a drug test thinking I was impaired. I began vomiting from the anxiety and told them I take xanax. I finally got the urine out and tested positive for it. I was escorted off the floor and then terminated the next morning without even being asked for the script and was in such a panic I didn't even think to produce one.

My agency sent me for a hair drug screen but my hair was too short (I am a male). I few weeks ago I got a board order stating I was noticed sweating, pin point eyes, nodding? and began vomiting during the drug screen. All were true I suppose as this happens when I have really bad anxiety. It also stated I went for a hair drug screen and my "whole body was shaved" this was not true and don't know how that was even reported.

It also stated they tried contacting me several times without response to produce a script. This is my fault because I did move and didn't change my address on the board.

They want a physical/mental exam and hair test. My primary was unable to do the physical as it was extremely specific and his facility didn't have the correct equipment to do so. He gave me a letter head to fax asking for an extension as it would be hard to get all of this done in 30 days.

I have since faxed all documents of my script, medical records from my primary, and any other supporting documents.

I have called an attorney and set up a consultation. I do not want this to tarnish my record or get me fired from my current job that is actually great. Is what the board asks for final? Or can proof a script and a lawyer be enough to get myself out of this?

As you can imagine, I've been having major anxiety due to this and am worried. Does anyone have any advice or experience? Thanks!

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

Hire an attorney experienced with professional practice issues and keep your mouth shut. Anything you say on this or any public forum is considered discoverable evidence,

Here's a link for a finding a lawyer https://www.taana.org/

Good luck to you

Hppy

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There is a such thing as being in monitoring for mental health issues only, even when drugs and or alcohol have nothing to do with it. It might be for a shorter time, depends on the state. Good thing you have a lawyer. I don’t know what the complaint says exactly from that travel assignment either. Did that charge nurse accuse you of neglecting your patients too?

If you do have this bad of anxiety, are you sure that travel nursing is what you want to be doing? Sounds stressful. Maybe you should find something less stressful. You might want to find a job now that doesn’t involve narcotics while your license is totally clear. Ask your lawyer what the worst case scenerio is as far as what kind of job restrictions the BON might impose on you and get a job like that now while your license has no dings on it. Much easier to keep a job after a ding than to get a new job with a ding.

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
On 1/27/2019 at 3:28 AM, Lisacar130 said:

There is a such thing as being in monitoring for mental health issues only, even when drugs and or alcohol have nothing to do with it. It might be for a shorter time, depends on the state. Good thing you have a lawyer. I don’t know what the complaint says exactly from that travel assignment either. Did that charge nurse accuse you of neglecting your patients too?

If you do have this bad of anxiety, are you sure that travel nursing is what you want to be doing? Sounds stressful. Maybe you should find something less stressful. You might want to find a job now that doesn’t involve narcotics while your license is totally clear. Ask your lawyer what the worst case scenerio is as far as what kind of job restrictions the BON might impose on you and get a job like that now while your license has no dings on it. Much easier to keep a job after a ding than to get a new job with a ding.

This is true but very few BON's view a nurse that needs Ativan or narcotics to work favorably. Especially if other parties notice something off with that nurse. It's work to penalize a nurse or anyone who is working with their doctor but because of this stigma regarding mental health issues it is incumbent upon us to try all other means first.

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