Drug Test/Physical Question

[furelite]

Hi! I am kind of an obsessive person and can't stop worrying about my nursing school application and possible admission regarding a prescription drug I have. I should find out in the next week if I got in to my ABSN program. I have been looking over the orientation pack from last year that I found online, and noted a drug test and also a physical form that requires a list of current prescriptions.

I have flight anxiety, and I have a PRN prescription for 2 mg diazepam for the times I need to travel by air. I rarely travel, but had a trip just last week and I used one of my meds as the weather was bad. I read about a Nurse on here who was denied a job after testing positive for this medication even though she had a prescription! That got my attention. Now I am worried about listing the drug on my health/physical form. Might they not revoke my admission since I have this prescription and it could be a danger to patients if I were to take it? I was thinking I shouldn't list it and just throw the rest away and take the train from now on.....but then, I then read this drug has a very long half life and can be detected in a urine screen for up to 6 weeks. YIKES. Would a nursing school deny an applicant because of valid prescription? I have read that nurses should not take this class of drug. Thanks for your advice.

[ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN]

The benzo should be out of your system within 48 hours. Administration will not allow a nurse to work under the influence of a controlled substance even with a prescription. The drug clearly can clout one’s judgment, particularly during an emergent situation. While in school, I would be certain to not take it. I would also, after you graduate and begin practicing, not take it unless you have several days that lapse since your flight. I’m surprised at the dosage, particularly for your situation. I guess I would not have second guessed it had it been 0.5mg. I give 2mg to very agitated psych patients when I work on that unit. But then again, who knows. I know things are different everywhere.

[mrsboots87]

I think most schools are like this, but if not, then you would need to ask your advisor and explain the situation. I know for my school, there is no prescription that can get you declined admission because they don't ask what you take. When you take you UA, if it comes up positive for any prescription meds, they will call you for verification of valid PRN, then will forward the result to your school as passed. They lab will not put "passed with PRN" or anything. Its just pass/fail. As for the physical form asking for any PRN, that's where I'm not sure. If you plan to throw them out and not take them anymore, then don't write it down as a current prescription. And let the tech at the lab know that you took a PRN so they don't fail you when they find it, and leave it at that if you don't want to ask.

[furelite]

ParkerBeanCurd, 2 mg is the smallest dose they make diazepam (Valium). Most people I know who have taken it were on 5 mg. Perhaps you are thinking of a similar drug? The Valium doesn't clear in 48 hours at all. Half life is 100 - 200 hrs with metabolites considered, as I am reading. I think the best bet is to list it on my drug screen and not list it on my physical form. I am probably getting all worried for no reason, but I can be overly obsessive at times!

[THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN]

I think maybe PP was thinking of Ativan?? List it on both. Do not lie, it's not illegal to be a nurse and have Valium prn, as long as you are not working while under the influence.

Bring your prescriptions to both the drug test and the physical. I know plenty of students on Valium prn for anxiety during exams.