Failed pre-employment drug screen

allnurses Guide · Dec 8, 2011

Jeez louise, I wasn't expecting quite the reaction from the post that I got!

Be real, people.

It's a Sunday evening. Pharmacy's closed.

Your tooth, migraine, back, foot, is hurting like a.. well, you fill in the blank.

You are miserable. Totally, miserable.

I'll ADMIT, taking some Naproxen or something first, would be the smarter solution.

I also know that taking someone else's meds is illegal.

Furthermore, if the OP had a job interview and/or drug test coming up, again, what she did wasn't smart.

But seriously... and, BEING some one who in no way takes pain pills recreationally... I've had severe back pain,

I've had tooth aches... I know what real pain feels like and if I'm in horrific pain and Naproxen ain't cutting it, and I can't get to my pharmacy until the next day... I might borrow a dang Lortab from my mother in law.

Wow.... once again, I see why I stayed away from this dang site for so long. I think I'll gracefully make my exit again.

Thanks.

leslie :-D · Dec 8, 2011

subbing the *exact* same med, in a pinch while a valid script is being filled is one thing.
giving someone a completely different drug or one that isn't prescribed for them is completely different.
why is it so different? you're still prescriping outside your sop.
just because it's the same med, you'd make an allowance?
not buying it.
if it's (legally) wrong, it's (legally) wrong on both counts...whether it's the same prescribed med or not.
not only is it morally wrong it's illegal. i like my unencumbered license, no one is worth jeopardizing it. giving someone a prescription drug they don't have a valid prescription for is prescribing and is way outside my 'scope of practice' as a nurse and as a wife/mother/friend.
and this is where we greatly disagree.
i find it morally wrong, to let someone (you know and love) suffer in excruciating pain, when you know a med you have, would help them.
knowing the side effects before handing out meds to whoever is all well and good until there is an unanticipated adverse response and you have to disclose to the er doc what you gave the person. don't think they won't file a police report or report you to the bon if they know you're a nurse.

i am fully aware of the risks involved, thanks.

and i'll take my chances with the very few people i do this with.

leslie

leslie :-D · Dec 8, 2011

Wow.... once again, I see why I stayed away from this dang site for so long. I think I'll gracefully make my exit again.
Thanks.

you know i agree with your stance, nc...but seriously, there's no need to leave.

people are the same, no matter where you go.

hope you hang around, and take your stands.

leslie:)

OlderRNinGA · Dec 8, 2011

Wow! This was my first post and will probably be my last, if my feelings are involved. While I appreciate the feedback, the phrase "nurses eating their young" certainly came to mind. I hope none of you who judged me so harshly ever make a mistake. As you predicted, the job offer was rescinded but fortunately the info will go no further. This was an honest mistake and I was in a lot of pain over a holiday weekend when I was away from my pharmacy. The upside is now I have the time to have the foot surgery that I need. Thank you to everyone who offered suggestions and support. As for the rest of you, thankfully I'm not suicidal.

leslie :-D · Dec 8, 2011

Wow! This was my first post and will probably be my last, if my feelings are involved. While I appreciate the feedback, the phrase "nurses eating their young" certainly came to mind. I hope none of you who judged me so harshly ever make a mistake. As you predicted, the job offer was rescinded but fortunately the info will go no further. This was an honest mistake and I was in a lot of pain over a holiday weekend when I was away from my pharmacy. The upside is now I have the time to have the foot surgery that I need. Thank you to everyone who offered suggestions and support. As for the rest of you, thankfully I'm not suicidal.

i hope you stay.

when you come on a public forum, you need to expect all sorts of input.

most often, you're going to hear stuff you don't want to hear.

thick skin, applies here as well as in our profession..:)

that said, perhaps this incident will end up being a blessing in disguise...

as you now can get your foot repaired.

wishing you the very best,

leslie

allnurses Guide · Dec 8, 2011

Sorry you lost the job. Hope your foot is feeling better soon.

SuperStarRN · Dec 8, 2011

Leslie you are awesome! Wish everyone on this site was more like you. You knocked them right off of their high horses! Good for you!

PintheD · Dec 8, 2011

Oh OlderRN nursing is full of Monday morning quarterbacks as I'm sure you know. Please know that what occurred here could have happened to a lot of nurses. You were in pain, someone you trusted offered relief.

Nurses can be awful. There, I've said it. The charge nurse who told me she couldn't watch my patients while I went to the ER to see my 86 year old mother involved in an MVA(ER nurse called me on my in-house phone and wouldn't give me any info in fear of violating HIPPA.) to the nurse educators in nursing school who wanted me to withdraw after my fathers very public suicide. They don't get the whole picture.

Point is yes this is painful. This, too, shall pass and you go on. Don't take to heart every response you experience here. I, for one, feel for you. In retrospect you made a decision that was not prudent. Big deal. You're a human being first and foremost and we MAKE MISTAKES. You didn't harm a patient, only your chance for employment. Please don't beat yourself up too much.

checker1981 · Dec 8, 2011

Leslie you are awesome! Wish everyone on this site was more like you. You knocked them right off of their high horses! Good for you!

Not sure how my ethics and following guidelines puts me on a "high horse". I would not treat my family because I would lose my professional objectiveness, despite my knowledge and skills. If my family member or I were in distress I would obviously tender first aid, but I would make sure a professional at the emergency room were taking over care ASAP if need be. Treating a family member like a patient takes away their autonomy as a patient. These are my personal and professional opinions and if someone opens themselves up to ask for my opinion on a public message board I will freely give my opinions. I am not trying to be contemptuous towards any of you, but as I responded with my opinions.

It is unfortunate that the OP lost a job over this and I hope you find a job quickly.

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Dec 8, 2011

Wow! This was my first post and will probably be my last, if my feelings are involved. While I appreciate the feedback, the phrase "nurses eating their young" certainly came to mind. I hope none of you who judged me so harshly ever make a mistake. As you predicted, the job offer was rescinded but fortunately the info will go no further. This was an honest mistake and I was in a lot of pain over a holiday weekend when I was away from my pharmacy. The upside is now I have the time to have the foot surgery that I need. Thank you to everyone who offered suggestions and support. As for the rest of you, thankfully I'm not suicidal.

Please dont let it be your last post.

When you post on forums sometimes you will get responses you dont like. When I first became a member I felt members were against me personally and I was often offended and angry.

I soon realized that everybody has an opinion and more often than not it was different than mine.

I think because you are anonymous on here, nobody knows who you are, where you live or work so they can say freely what they want-In real life nobody is that honest with you-they may think it but they don't say it.

So take what you can from this thread, use what you find useful and applicable to your situation and disregard the rest.

There is so much to learn from this site, that I hope you will return and let us know you found a job.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Dec 9, 2011

OlderRN, you are going to hear all kinds of opinions here ... we are an opinionated bunch! I hope you stick around.

Interesting thing -- the military has instituted a policy that you cannot take your own prescribed narcs if the prescription is more than 6 months old. So if you have some leftover Vicodin/Percocet/whatever and take it more than 6 months after it was prescribed, and then you come up "hot" on a whiz quiz, you're off to a substance abuse counselor! Yep, really. I've had to pee in a cup several times since joining the military, and as recently as yesterday. Good times.

OCNRN63, RN · Dec 9, 2011

I am so freaked out. I was hired, conditionally, for a job I really want. Today I found out that I failed the drug screen because it showed Darvocet. I have prescriptions for Percocet because I recently broke a bone in my foot. Over the weekend prior to the drug test, a family member gave me a couple of their pain killers until I got mine filled. I didn't put it all together until today, but apparently I took the Darvocet without thinking it would cause a problem. I am not sure yet what will happen, but I fear I will lose the job. Even worse, I am afraid of being reported to my nursing board. Any suggestions? I am feeling like a royal loser. I have never had a problem with any other drug screen in prior jobs or nursing school.

Never, ever take a prescription for a controlled substance (really, any drug for that matter) if you don't have an rx for it.

I hate to sound negative, but this may very well cost you your job.