Hi all, this board continues to be a great source of support and encouragement throughout this whole ordeal.
An update on my status. I've been in the probation program for the CA BON going on 10 months now, never had a positive screen. This past Tuesday, I received a phone call from someone in the probation department stating a drug screen I submitted on the 25th of February came back positive for ETG.
I wasn't drinking, and I was shocked to hear the result, not to mention a little annoyed considering I was at work at the time and was having a hectic day. Per board regulations, I received an Intent to Cease Practice letter on Wednesday giving me 5 business days to respond.
First thing I did was call FirstLab and request an MRO review. During the MRO review, I revealed that I've been taking a generic version of flonase twice a day since mid-February and upon reviewing the ingredients, I saw the label states phenylethyl alcohol as an ingredient which the MRO said could trigger a positive ETG test. One of the bummers about the California program is that they don't let you see what your lab results were, even for a positive, so I have no way of knowing what my ETG level was, but the MRO said my use of this medication was congruent with my ETG level, however he has no control over what action the board will take because of this. This was the first time I was tested since starting this medication, so I truly believe this is what made me test positive.
After this conversation, I threw out the bottle of flonase and then was selected for a PETH test on Friday. With all this going on, I also retained the services of an attorney who specializes with the Board, though there's not much she can do at this point since no action has been taken yet.
Just wondering if any of you have had this happen and what the repurcussions were. Were you suspended from work? Given a warning? Had to go through the disciplinary process all over? How long did it take to settle this?
I've informed my employer, and she has been extremely supportive, even going so far as writing her own letter for me to fax in along with mine as she was working along side me the day of the test and can attest to my sobriety. She's even willing to keep me on staff in a non-nursing role if the BON suspends my license temporarily, which is great but I know it will come with a steep pay cut.
I'm really just wondering what step to take next. I'm willing to fight the board, but there's only so much I can afford to spend on a lawyer as I'm the main bread winner in the family. Part of me also is wondering if its just a better idea to surrender my license and find a different career. I'm 27 and have a bachelor's degree, I'm sure I can find someone to hire me.
Any words of advice and encouragement are welcome. I can't tell you how frustrating this is, I've been through so much this year, with getting placed on probation, losing my mom, and now this...I'm just starting to feel like there's no more fight in me.
pnurse181
12 Posts
I was wondering the outcome as well. Hope that all is well with you