Failed drug test, getting reported to BON

troubledrn12 · Feb 3, 2018

I was wondering if self reporting and voluntarily go to TnPAP before BON order has a better outcome. As in not having any public marking on my license. Either way, I kinda feel like, eventually I will be submitted to TnPAP whether I want to or not to save my license. Part of me wants to get this over with so I don't have to live in anxiety every day. But this rational side of me also say work as much as I can, since I am able to with current job, and wait to see what the board say. Maybe, by the act of a miracle, I won't be enlisted in a run of the mill one-size-fit all punishment. I dont know. I've been reading my State's Nurse practice Act and didn't really see any rules for mandatory self report. But I could be wrong, I've been having some horrible migraines and my new prescription isn't helping. I tried taking excedrin in addition to the fioricet, which was a bad idea in this situation because the caffeine sends my body into a crazy anxiety state. But it's either severe pain where I can't even open my eyes and get out of bed or crazy anxiety that makes me jump off he bed.

allnurses Guide · Feb 3, 2018

I recently failed a drug test because I had took some tylenol/codeine the night before for my migraines since my sumatriptan was not working. I don't have proof of prescription for this because I had gotten this while on vacation outside of the USA. And this med was pretty much OTC since no script was need by the pharmacy. I was on this medication for a week for my second degree burn. I had some leftover and took it to help with the migraines. I completely forgot about the medication and stupidly did the drug test. I was informed I would be reported to the BON. I started reading about what will happen to me and it sounds horrible. All the horror stories about going through their rehab program and spending outrageous amounts of money while unable to be employed. I talked to a lawyer and he say if I am not working now to just go ahead with the program *(TnPAP) or if I can work, continue to work until the BON contact me. Eventually, the BON would require me to go through the rehab program anyways. He commented that the program is horrible and sometimes there are to end in sight. And also, while in the program I am not allowed to work. I don't know what to do. I don't know if I can put up with going to rehab for this mistake because all I can think of is I don't have a drug issue. And I am the sole provider since my parents are unable to work due to medical issues. I just feel so lost and upset.
Also, I was told to self report because it looks better that way. I really don't know if that would change anything. Some people were saying not to do it. The lawyer wasn't much help in helping me decide since it was just a free consultation.
Don't know what to do. I feel like giving up and probably just start over with a new career or something. Which is also another hurdle of its own, starting over from ground 1. At the moment I'm pretty much mourning the lost of my job and possibly license. What do you guys think?

Your biggest problem here is that you took a medication that you did not have a legitimate prescription for. If you truly do not have a problem with opiates I would consult a lawyer familiar with license defense and professional practice issues before turning you over to the BON. Why were you tested. Was it a random sweep of several employees or did you employer have reason to believe you were impaired in some was i.e.....erratic behavior, nodding off in the nurses station etc... if not the onus in on your employer to prove that you were impaired while working. The nurse practice acts in most states do not forbid the use of opiates to treat painful conditions as long as that use does not impair your practice. If you prevail learn from this and do not take any controlled substance without a legitimate prescription.

Hppy

Randomnurse3 · Feb 3, 2018

She was tested when applying for a new job.

cutiepie2012, ASN, BSN, LPN, RN · Feb 8, 2018

My coworker was in this program (TNPAP) for 2 years and was still allowed to work. He had to attend meetings every week and had to do a drug screen every month. Our DON also had to report his work performance every few months. You may want to talk to another lawyer.

Columnist · Feb 9, 2018

I self reported and avoided disciplinary or public action against my license.

RickG85 · Feb 9, 2018

Do you have documentation that you were outside the US recently? Unfortunately these people look at drug tests as evidence you were under the influence at that very moment in time. My only suggestion is to pull a bank statement for the time you purchased said OTC drug. Hopefully with proof of you being outside the US and documentation of a purchase at a location with codeine sold OTC they will be lenient.

its a gamble, self reporting makes it easier for everyone because it keeps a mark off your license and speeds the whole damn process up, but you have somewhat of a defense here. These people are not reasonable though

troubledrn12 · Feb 9, 2018

I self reported and avoided disciplinary or public action against my license.

But I'm pretty sure I'm reported already. Does that matter ? Haven't self reported yet and it's been a week. But I'm thinking about voluntarily go to the program and start my eval. Praying that there are different tiers of rehab stuff when I'm deemed a snob-addict.

troubledrn12 · Feb 9, 2018

Do you have documentation that you were outside the US recently? Unfortunately these people look at drug tests as evidence you were under the influence at that very moment in time. My only suggestion is to pull a bank statement for the time you purchased said OTC drug. Hopefully with proof of you being outside the US and documentation of a purchase at a location with codeine sold OTC they will be lenient.
its a gamble, self reporting makes it easier for everyone because it keeps a mark off your license and speeds the whole damn process up, but you have somewhat of a defense here. These people are not reasonable though

No, I paid for it in cash because it's common to just carry cash on vacation since I was staying in the countryside. It really doesn't matter, what mattered is the drug is prescription type in America and I can't prove that I got it legally. I mean I have proof that I was out of the country and suffered the burn. I got the pictures and even have the scar to show. But that doesn't matter because technically the story can be true and I can still be someone who took advadtage of the situation and abused the drug. The board will just look at it as black and white, I'm assuming. And based on my situation I realized now that I still have to go to rehab regardless. I'm thinking about starting the process to end the anxiety. I do feel better talking on here with you guys and the forum.

catsmeow1972, BSN, RN · Feb 9, 2018

its a gamble, self reporting makes it easier for everyone because it keeps a mark off your license and speeds the whole damn process up, but you have somewhat of a defense here. These people are not reasonable though

It truly is a gamble. I too had done something rather dumb for reasons that I need not expand upon here, but that certainly do not make me a person with addiction issues. I self reported in the hope that it would keep the mark off my license, speed the process up and allow me to get the healing process underway. I did everything I was instructed, including jumping through some hoops that seemed weird and incomprehensible (and still do, probably because they are) and spending an unholy amount of money and the result was not only a lengthy (5 year) sentence in a program designed (and rather badly) for nurses with substance issues, a board order into said program 2 years AFTER already being in it and a permanaent mark on my license. Oh and a nice case of PTSD from thier "recommended treatment."

Yeah, I have to be honest, it's a gamble....and I lost....big time.

Some states appear to have a â€˜lite' version for those who have evidence that they are not alcoholics/addicts (no diversion, alcoholism issues, etc). From what I have read here, this seems to be something like a shortened period of monitoring with not such vicious career ending stipulations. Unfortunately my state seems to be run like the third Reich and does not seem to have such a thing.

I'm Not sure why you'd think you were a snob-addict for not wanting to unnecessarily barbecue yourself for what in Canada is like taking a Motrin. You are a nurse. You hurt yourself and treated yourself accordingly. How does that correlate with "addict." My personal opinion is that the American yen for sticking a label on Everybody and everything is half of what creates the problems we have.

I sincerely hope the dice rolls better for you than for me. I am somewhat convinced that most states programs have a tad more ethics in them than mine. I'm not sure there's been a single person around that they've "evaluated" that they've not found some excuse to stick a contract to.

Randomnurse3 · Feb 9, 2018

Haven't self reported yet and it's been a week. But I'm thinking about voluntarily go to the program and start my eval. Praying that there are different tiers of rehab stuff when I'm deemed a snob-addict.

I would not self-report until You are 100% positive you were reported!

SpankedInPittsburgh, DNP, RN · Feb 9, 2018

Unless I'm wrong (a distinct possibility always) you wouldn't know you were reported until the state contacted you & by that time your opportunity to self report would have passed. Is this incorrect?

catsmeow1972, BSN, RN · Feb 9, 2018

Pretty much. Quite the Cornelian dilemma, wouldn't you say? Intentional or not I reckon it's a case of the left walnut or the right. Or both. Or the middle......