Cotinine urine screening pre employment

Home Health Columnist / Guide · May 4

2023 Nicotine and Cotinine Test

Quote

In general, nicotine can only be detected in the body for a short time, with half eliminated around two hours after your last exposure. Cotinine levels remain elevated for longer, detectable in urine and blood samples for up to seven days. However, you may continue to have low levels of nicotine and cotinine in your body over time due to exposure to secondhand, thirdhand, and environmental nicotine.

Emergent, RN · May 4

Seriously? They discriminate against smokers?

Tweety, BSN, RN · May 4

Emergent said:

Seriously? They discriminate against smokers?

I'm surprised you haven't heard this.

It's been controversial but I heard about it years ago. People feel it's a violation of their privacy and choice. I'm not sure it's legal in all states or what the court challenges have turned up but it's a long-established policy of certain employers in certain states. I believe health care companies lead the cause to "practice what we preach". Also studies might show productivity lower and higher health care costs in smokers, so some places require non-smokers.

It's not done where I work since I live in the freest state of all Florida and we need healthcare workers. Of course, like almost all hospitals these days we are a smoke-free campus.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · May 4

Emergent said:

Seriously? They discriminate against smokers?

Not sure if you can call it discrimination. They are weeding out smokers during the hiring process, Smokers take more breaks and more time off with respiratory related illnesses. They will also find SOMEPLACE to smoke, on any non smoking campus.

CWS RN · May 4

I'm not sure it could be considered discrimination either. Essentially it's about Healthcare costs. It's all about money at the end.

On the company website, it says it is a nicotine screening. I'm hoping that that means nicotine for real and does not include cotinine. I really would like this job. And it's a stressor. And it's an increased stressor when I'm trying not to smoke LOL

Editorial Team / Admin · May 4

CWS RN said:

I'm not sure it could be considered discrimination either.

Legally, it doesn't meet the definition of discrimination because smokers aren't a protected class.

subee, MSN, CRNA · May 8

Tweety said:

I'm surprised you haven't heard this.

It's been controversial but I heard about it years ago. People feel it's a violation of their privacy and choice. I'm not sure it's legal in all states or what the court challenges have turned up but it's a long-established policy of certain employers in certain states. I believe health care companies lead the cause to "practice what we preach". Also studies might show productivity lower and higher health care costs in smokers, so some places require non-smokers.

It's not done where I work since I live in the freest state of all Florida and we need healthcare workers. Of course, like almost all hospitals these days we are a smoke-free campus.

I imagine that employers who don't hire smokers pay less in premiums for health care insurance for their employees. That's a biggie. You are free to smoke but you just can't work here doesn't seem to deprive anyone of their "freedom."

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · May 8

I was a teacher before I was a nurse and right before I left teaching, they implemented some odd things related to health care that was provided by the stats for teachers. Smoking was not allowed and people could be tested. Also, people's BMIs were being tracked and if you were over a certain BMI, you had to pay more for health insurance. They did start covering weight loss sx and tobacco cessation programs. I know of about 10 teachers that had weight loss surgery after that. I thought it was wild.

I'm surprised that more organizations aren't cracking down on tobacco. Still don't know what they are going to do (or are doing) in states where pot is legal now. Our cafeteria, some widget decided that they would take all sugared drinks out. I cannot tolerate artificial sweeteners so this sucks. Patients' families complain a lot. Ironically, you can get 40 different brands/flavors of energy drinks (Monster, Red Bull, etc). I think they are more dangerous than sugar! Oh, and they took all the vending machines out of the hospital during Covid and have never brought them back 😡