failed drug test

Get a lawyer with BON experience.

Well, at the risk of stating the obvious- stop doing drugs.

You should look into self reporting. I don't know how FL works so probably call and ask a lawyer. I think in FL you self report to the IPN. Depending on the state, there is usually a better outcome when you do this ASAP so don't wait but ask a lawyer first or at least someone from FL who is familiar. Maybe call IPN anonymously and ask if this would be public on your license. Did your company mention IPN or just the BON? If they are reporting you anyway i don't see any harm in self reporting but yeah some states will go a lot easier on you when you do it. The below link is how I think you self report to IPN.

https://ipnfl.org/ipn-referral-form/

My suggestion, is that if you are positive that they are going to report you and this is not an empty threat, then make darn sure that the BON knows you are self reporting. That is what will help keep this from being a board order, thus being public record and on your license. If they don't, You cannot expect that IPN will tell them no matter how much you beg and plead for them to. IPN does not and will never have your back.

I self reported, I begged, they said nothing and in spite of self reporting in the hopes of preserving the anonymity that one is supposedly assured, my sins are in the public domain for all eternity.

Take a deep breath. What state are you in.

Not to undermine the advice of other nurses here, but...

I PERSONALLY wouldn't self-report if my life depended on it. Saying you will get a "better outcome" for it, is a lie they tell you to make their jobs easier. I mean, wouldn't you rather take action on a nurse who openly discloses "yes, I smoked that weed." (or whatever you took) vs. one who adamantly denies, who may in fact be innocent?

And I'm not just talking through my behind here. I've heard various reports of people self-reporting because they "thought they would get a better outcome" only to be ripped to shreds by the BON.

Unfortunately, IPN may be your only option. It's expensive, but if you aren't an actual addict who will suffer withdrawal etc from quitting drugs, just stop using recreationally for a while (ie a couple years) and you should be alright. Expect about 4 drug tests per month, mandatory call-ins every day, and a couple weekly NA meetings. It's hell for anyone but some have said becomes manageable, especially with the end payoff of being able to keep your license. Until the complaint makes it to the board, I would continue to look for employment and save whatever possible in the meantime. It can take months or over a year before the complaint is addressed. Best of luck, OP.

For the record, I self reported and because of that, I do not have any mark on my license. Self reporting is listed as a requirement to not get probation, which is public. Some states require self reporting in order to get such a deal. Not all states do. It depends on the state.

Yeah, I'd probably get a lawyer and (depending on his advice of course) and plan to self report. I think if you have the opportunity to not have a permanent mark on your license you should grasp it. Here in Pennsylvania there are two programs voluntary and disciplinary. I self reported the day after my DUI (never got a lawyer probably a dumb move) and was placed in the "voluntary" program (it was either do that or lose my license so not much of a choice) so there is no mark on my nursing license. However, the folks in the disciplinary program do. Further, anybody can look up what caused them (in detail) to be placed in the program via the state boards license verification site. I think this is nonsense and akin to a public flogging but that's the way it is.

if you dont mind me asking what was the cutoff level for you test?

My BAC was 016 if I remember correctly but that was almost 2 years ago and the charges got dropped in the end. Didn't matter I still wound up in PNAP