Drug testing TN

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Hello, I had a question about drug testing. I was recently asked to submit a urine drug test to my job. I did so, I went to the place on time and submitted my test. They called me the next day and said I needed to submit another test that was supervised (meaning someone would watch me). I refused. I told them I was not comfortable with someone watching me urinate and I had already provided a drug test as requested. Well, they terminated me. Now I'm wondering whats next? Are they going to report me to the board of nursing? If so, what will they do? How long will the process take for me to be notified? I am in the state of Tennessee if that matters.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Refusal to provide a sample is usually taken as an admission of guilt, and the facility will react accordingly. Not sure of the requirements of Tennessee but some states require reporting suspicion of drug use/diversion to the BON. You can check the board requirements, but if you have (which every nurse should, regardless of if their facility tells them they're covered through the facility policy), you can also call them for advice- that's what you're paying them for.

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I unfortunately do not have insurance. Every company I have worked for has always provided it. I willingly submitted to one drug test, but my husband and I have one car so he already missed work for me to take one, and I just couldn't afford for him to miss work again. I saw no point since I just submitted a urine drug screen. This company is a pretty sorry company as far as benefits, pay, as well as the way they run things, and I hadn't intended on working with them long anyways. I'm sure they will report me to the BON.

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

the alternative, of lost husband income day's salary.....may be pale, in cost of potential defense of your lis.

I hope one of the moderators will move your thread to RECOVERY section, so you may get more advice from nurses and urine drug testing.

I wish best for you.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Your employer only covers you while working if you follow all policy & procedure 109% of the time. $100/yr is worth it for a personal policy IMHO

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Most places when they request a urinalysis for drug testing require chain of custody which does mean observed specimen collection. The military has done it for years.

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Did you ask what was wrong with the first urine specimen. I have been drug testing for over 7 years due to moving states during monitoring.

I have heard of employers and state boards asking for further testing which include observed test when the initial drug test results are positive/dilute/low specific gravity and invalid temperature.

That's because they think you substituted your urine with fake urine and or took a supplement to (clean your urine from drugs/etoh)

Why did they ask for a urine drug test? Did they suspect you are under the influence? You ask how long will it take to report to your state board. What happened that they would report you to the state board?

I would be frustrated about having to be observed but I would of probably complied with the request. I only give this answer because I know of nurses that refused urines drug screens and where reported to the BON.

Gabby

If you did nothing wrong and they just where asking for a ran

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I honestly dont know. They called and asked me to go take one, I agreed and went to take it. I did ask why, they said they would have a meeting with me and discuss everything once the results were back. So I went and took it, the next day they said i needed to be there by 430 to take another one supervised and I just told them honestly that my husband worked an hour away and by the time he got to the house it would be too late. I tried to ask them why, because I know nothing was wrong with my urine, but they wouldn't say. I didn't alter the test in any way, and I know there are no drugs in my system. They took that as refusal and said I was terminated. I'm just assuming I'll be reported to the BON for refusal to drug test and I'm just curious how this process is going to play out. Like when they will contact me and what they will make me do.

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They have just now randomly decided to inform me that the reason a second test was requested is because apparently one of my co workers (whom i don't get along with) has made an accusation that I used someone elses urine. So they tell me this after the fact and wouldn't provide this reason before. Idk what to make of all of this

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I'd offer to take the supervised test, if they are still open to it. If not, I'd probably find a place to have it done and pay for it myself. Your word vs. Your coworker's word comes down to a coin flip. Test results will prove you are clean.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

This (sadly) is an excellent example of why EVERY nurse should carry individual insurance.

Did they inform you when you refused that it was an admission of guilt? They should have. And if they did, you may very well be up the code brown creek without a paddle.

Hoping for the best you. I would try and find some manner of legal representation as this may go to the BON.

Sent from my iPhone.

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If they are open to you now doing an observed urine do it asap if not go ASAP to a lab and submit for a hair sample test this will show any drugs in your system for a few months this will help when you meet and yes if the company doesn't allow you to still test you will meet the BON of TENN. They have all power and your life can be in shambles. Protect and in the future if you know your clean don't refuse a drug screen, a days wage is a heck of a lot cheaper than what you are now facing.

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