Drug testing for Maricopa CC's

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I am starting the Banner nurse fellows program, next week is orientation so I am assuming that the drug test will be soon after orientation. My concern is that I was prescribed cough syrup with codeine yesterday and I am nervous that I won't pass the drug screen or the medical review officer's screening. Of course the school has no info on this and they aren't going to tell me to take or not take the medication. Great what should I do? It really helps at night I took it last night and then got worried about the drug test LOL. I know that it is prescribed but who knows if that matters. I can see myself having to tell people that I got dropped from the nursing program because I was taking cough syrup LOL. I am also taking prednisone and an antibiotic, which there is no way I am stopping those. Any advice would be great. I don't know if I already screwed up by taking 2 teaspoons last night. How long would it stay in my system? Oh maybe I am just to worried LOL. Thanks for listening-----kelli

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I am in a similar position. I just had a miscarriage and it was pretty ugly (physically & emotionally) and needed some pain medication then it was incomplete and I needed a D&C this Tuesday so that made it even uglier and I needed more meds to pull me through. I went ahead and took my screening and am waiting for the background check's physician to call about all of the "WONDROUS" chemicals found in my pee. :lol_hitti (If I don't laugh I would cry!) I spoke with my doctor and he wrote me a note with all of the meds and IV sedation I was given (because of my horrible emotional state, and stress.) I am supposed to send/fax it when they contact me and it will be fine. You aren't taking anything illegal or self medicating with drugs prescribed for another person so you are fine! Go pee in your cup and relax all is good!! You just have an extra hurdle to hop over ;)

I do recommend that you make sure you got the proper 2 Step Tb test, mine was incorrect so I am trying to get that accomplished before our clinicals start December 2!!!! You should have the first one adminsterde then read 48-72 hours later then 1-3 weeks after the first read have the second administered and read another 48-72 hours after.

Hang in there we are in for a WILD RIDE!

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OCD mom

I am sorry to hear about your situation. Hopefully you will get over all the pain and emotional stress that comes along with a miscarriage. So did they say that your drug test would have to be evaluated by a medical review officer or has it not got to that point yet? Who told you about faxing your info over to them? What I have read is that if your test comes back positive I am guessing for anything then it will have to be reviewed by the medical review officer at our cost. I don't even know what the cost is? And it says that we can't start courses until it is cleared. So how long could that take? Did they tell you when the results would be in? I feel like such a drug addict LOL and its only cough syrup. For the TB I did the 2 step a year ago and a few weeks ago I did an annual one step I wonder if that is ok? Have you started classes yet? If i remember correctly your going to GWCC? We are in for a wild ride and it seems like it has already started with the drug test LOL. Thanks for your response it makes me feel better. I hope everything works out for your test and I hope you feel better. :)----Kelli

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Thanks for the kind words Kelli.

I feel better now knowing that there is a purpose for all of this stress and reminding me what is important to me.

Yes I am GWCC. The Instructor of our nursing theory said that my results would be reviewed by a physician (I can't believe that would cost more...it was already $78 but if we had to be retested that we would have to pay for that,) she said we would just have to send in proof from or our doctor would have to send in proof of the medication being prescribed.

LOL I know what you mean by the addict thing though. My husband is in law enforcement & his big focus is DUI & Drugs so it makes feel odd when I had spent 2 weeks and popped 5 pills that I knew would come back on my drug screening...I didn't even finish the first set and they sent me home with more & I took only 1...I guess the alligators in the sewer will be feeling AWFULLY happy next week when dump them. Be ready to read read read once you start!!! We will have to keep in touch and see how the programs compare.

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OCD_MOM

So they let you start classes before the tests come back? We should definetly keep in touch and again thanks for the advice. It is exciting to be at this point finally. Your clinicals start soon I would of thought they would start later than that. Good Luck. ----Kelli

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I have failed a drug test in the past because of a kidney stone and the morphine they gave me in the hospital, this is when I was working on my respiratory therapy degree. The place that tested me, called me and had me sign a form so they could request my medical records from the emergency room. So they then sent to the school a passing test.

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Well that is not so bad if they just request medical records. I got a note from my doctor today when i saw her so I have that and all of my prescriptions. I hope that is good enough but the paperwork that I have read on the website seems so scary even about the prescriptions drugs that can't be cognitive impairing that is a lot of medications. Thanks for your reply it makes me feel better. ----Kelli

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So I just reviewed online my background check they had performed with the the Drug Screening and I passed! Looks like they are not testing for hydrocodone :D

Here is what they tested for

Amphetamines, Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines, Cocaine, FENTANYLS, Meperidine,

Methadone, Opiates, Oxycodone, Phencyclidine, Propoxyphene, Marijuana,

Tramadol

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Hydrocodone is an opiate so it probably wasn't at a high enough level to be a positive test.

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That is what I thought, I took 2 Tylenol 3 the day before. Regardless I had a script so it makes no difference I had a legit reason...I am just surprised it did not show up, I assumes (bif problem right there) that even a slight trace would show up and taking 2 within 24 hours I would figure to show up. Anywho WOOHOO that step is over and time for me to move on...good luck on your test Kelli!

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OCD_mom

Oh great for you that makes me feel so much better. I had to go to the doctor yesterday to be seen again so i had her write me a note. She said that everything would be ok because she use to work in an occupational clinic and if something that was prescribed showed up they would request to see the prescription and that was it. I am glad I don't have to worry anymore. But I did stop taking the cough syrup LOL. Thanks so much! Good Luck with classes. Keep me updated on how it is going. Your program is probably ran a little smoother than mine LOL. ----Kelli

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Be honest. You will have an opportunity to tell the UA clinic what medications you are on. I would show up with evidence that you have been prescribed the narcotics, or at the very least the name and number of your prescribing physician. If you come up dirty for a prescribed controlled substance, you have an opportunity to come up with a prescription before anyone points the finger at you. If you have a prescription, then it's no harm no foul. Of course if you come up dirty for a recreational substance that isn't legally prescribed, enjoy your new career of saying "would you like fries with that, sir", LOL.

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