Hey everyone, I'm not sure if I'm posting in the right place, this will be my first post on allnurses.
I am wondering, if I refuse to take a drug test for my employer, will it automatically be reported to the BON? I am an LPN practicing in PA. I work for a home care agency. Surprisingly I wasn't drug tested upon hire and they don't do random drug testing. The only reason I am worried about being drug tested is that I have been missing a lot of work and acting very irrational due to bipolar disorder and anxiety. I did make my employer aware of these conditions. I am supposed to go into the office and speak with one of the schedulers, I'm guessing regarding a counseling due to my absences from work. Can they drug test me? Are they likely to? Is this a valid reason to drug test? Do they even need a valid reason? May I refuse until I can provide scripts for my medications? Can disciplinary action be taken if meds are prescribed by an MD? Most importantly, will a refusal lead to discipline from the BON?
You cannot be fired or lose your license for having a mental illness. Having a mental illness is not an "offense". Nor is it "reportable". It is against federal law to discriminate against a person for health reasons and even the big ole scary nursing board has to abide by that.
The problem typically isn't the illness, it's the behavior related to the illness. Having a psychiatric (or any other kind of) illness isn't a defense against inappropriate or dangerous behavior at work.
There are any number of people active on this site who will tell you that they lost employment and had restrictions placed on their license as a result of behavior related to a psychiatric illness.
You cannot be fired or lose your license for having a mental illness. Having a mental illness is not an "offense". Nor is it "reportable". It is against federal law to discriminate against a person for health reasons and even the big ole scary nursing board has to abide by that.
Where did you get this information??? Because it isn't accurate. You most certainly can be reported to the BON for mental illness. I think you are mixing up the ADA with the board- two different things.
elkpark
14,633 Posts
The problem typically isn't the illness, it's the behavior related to the illness. Having a psychiatric (or any other kind of) illness isn't a defense against inappropriate or dangerous behavior at work.
There are any number of people active on this site who will tell you that they lost employment and had restrictions placed on their license as a result of behavior related to a psychiatric illness.