Failed pre-employment drug screen

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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.

A real drug addict would have had the Rx filled in no time flat

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
A real drug addict would have had the Rx filled in no time flat

Heck, a real drug addict probably wouldn't even need the prescription. Or so my patients tell me...

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
You can't get Percocet set up on auto fill or have refills on it. Refills can't even be called in. You have to pick uo a paper script for it each month if you are on a monthly prescriptoon. At least that is how it is here.

No, you're right: Percocet is a Schedule II controlled substance...that is a fact that I learned from--and will never forget--after this thread ;)

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The best policy is to be honest if asked about it, you could appeal it and see if they would grant you another test, given the circumstances. I know when a health pre-employment screening is given, they ask about injury, so hopefully you included the information about your foot injury. I pray that they will allow you to have another go at it. Good Luck!

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and as of the last i heard from the op, the results weren't even back yet- to know if darvocet was even on the screen. or if the one or two pills was still in her system.....

let's all panic... and judge- yeah....that's always helpful :uhoh3:

i wonder if we could get a "drug screen messed up" forum here :D what is it? about one a week? :yawn:

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
And as of the last I heard from the OP, the results weren't even back yet- to know if Darvocet was even on the screen. Or if the one or two pills was still in her system....

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/failed-pre-employment-651069-page4.html#post5976069

She posted that the job offer was rescinded. I know, it was easy to miss with the flurry of opinions! :D

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.
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.

Hey - please don't make this your last post. I have been in the situation before,where I have taken someone else's med. I was with some of my in laws for the holidays one year, and did try to be seen in an ER,but they told me flat out that the wait would be at the very least 6 to 7 hours and that was if NO traumas came in via the ambulance.

I am sorry this happened to you, but I am glad u will have some time to take care of your foot. Hugs!

Anne, RNC

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.
he had it 1 time.

and i wouldn't have given it to him if he had a cardiac hx.

the next time he got the same type of ha, i told him he needs to see his dr.

i don't do this randomly, and i research any meds if i'm going to share.

thanks for your concern.:cool:

leslie

:yeah::yeah:

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
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:)

. . . and maybe get to know people you might prefer to "hang around" with over some in the aforementioned real life. :)

NurseCard and OlderRNinGA - what you've seen here is a small facet of who we really are. I've seen us rally around people with painful "only a nurse would get it" issues so many times I can't tell you. Just something to think about if you feel the need to communicate with us who have much more in common when all is said and done than we do differences. Best wishes to both of you.

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Specializes in ICU.

OlderRN- I'm sorry you lost the job offer and I hope your surgery goes well:)

Also, good luck on the job search! I know how tough it is. Hugs

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Specializes in Critical Care.

They actually spent the money to get the detail of darvocet vs just opiates? And I always thought of darvocets as a waste anyway, too weak and too much tylenol, liver failure waiting to happen!

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I am with Leslie on this.

Before becoming a nurse, we would often have 'leftover' pain meds in the house. When you have NO insurance, single parent, etc....you will often do what you have to do.

As a NEW nurse, I would be terrified of taking a script that didn't have my name on it only because of the random drug screens. I would even avoid taking a narc with my name on the bottle if it wasn't a very recent issue of the med. BUT, if I just fx my foot, had a pending narc script and could take a narc to end the pain now....I may have done what the OP did. Dunno....for real, because I haven't actually done it.

It is a lesson learned for the OP. Big Brother is watching.....we should never forget.

Yeah, but she is a nurse, and she did it anyway. If I understood the original posting correctly she did it with a prescription for percocet (A better, more effective drug) in her hand. I mean she could have avoided all of this at the drive up Walgreens.

I don't care what anybody says about no insurance or single mother or whatever. She has a responsibility to act morally in a health care setting and with health care products. She dug herself into this mess and doesn't need anybody to hold her hand because what she did was wrong.

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