I live in WA state. I applied and was offered a job as an surgical RN, am more than qualified. I took the pre employment drug screen and listed the Methadone (5mg/day) on the list of medications, very low dose BTW. When the screen came back, the employer called to tell me I "unfortunately" could not be hired at this time because of the methadone. I since supplied the employer with a letter from my Dr. stating that the "Methadone does not affect my ability to perform complex mental tasks". After I faxed this letter I still have not heard anything from them. I feel totally discriminated against, not to mention I have never had to deal with this before and it is a total blow to my ego. Is it even legal what they are doing? I gave my notice at my other job, now I'm really screwed!
Unfortunetely, people see methadone and automatically think IV drug recovery. Because methadone is not someone's first thought for pain control, it also could be thought of as significant chronic pain,(unresponive to other pain control remedies) therefore, questions of call outs, and chronic pain interfering with one's duties. It is not right, (although for some people it may be) and if it is a private organization, they definetely have more lee-way in their hiring practices. I would also see in your state if chronic pain is an accommadated disability. With all that being said, you are qualified and experienced, and should you be hired, you will perhaps be "put under the microscope", and I am sure that would not be a pleasant place to be. But if you are confident in your work ethic, I am sure as an experienced nurse you could certainly prove yourself in a short amount of time. Additionally, if you certainly added the fact that the methadone is taken "at hs" (if it is to help you sleep with your pain) then perhaps that would help as well. However, I do think that if you are taking the methadone to help with your pain to get through the workday then perhaps you could think about re-visiting this to something perhaps non-narcotic for daytime use. But at the end of the day, is this job worth the effort? Only you can decide that, but I do agree with the above poster in that it would be nice to go back to the job you were at as "you missed it". Good luck!!
This is an old thread but I am currently going through this, but they rescinded the offer stating "we decided to use the pool of RNs we currently have on staff". For 4 positions???. I contacted a lawyer and am so hurt over it. I hope you found a great job in the last few years.
jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B
9 Articles; 4,800 Posts
Unfortunetely, people see methadone and automatically think IV drug recovery. Because methadone is not someone's first thought for pain control, it also could be thought of as significant chronic pain,(unresponive to other pain control remedies) therefore, questions of call outs, and chronic pain interfering with one's duties. It is not right, (although for some people it may be) and if it is a private organization, they definetely have more lee-way in their hiring practices. I would also see in your state if chronic pain is an accommadated disability. With all that being said, you are qualified and experienced, and should you be hired, you will perhaps be "put under the microscope", and I am sure that would not be a pleasant place to be. But if you are confident in your work ethic, I am sure as an experienced nurse you could certainly prove yourself in a short amount of time. Additionally, if you certainly added the fact that the methadone is taken "at hs" (if it is to help you sleep with your pain) then perhaps that would help as well. However, I do think that if you are taking the methadone to help with your pain to get through the workday then perhaps you could think about re-visiting this to something perhaps non-narcotic for daytime use. But at the end of the day, is this job worth the effort? Only you can decide that, but I do agree with the above poster in that it would be nice to go back to the job you were at as "you missed it". Good luck!!