Failed pre employment drug screen in Texas, now what?

Published

Hi everyone, I have a question for those of who have dealt with this. Facts only and no judgment please. In December of 2017, I failed a pre employment drug screen (+THC) for a hospital and they said they were reporting me to the Texas BON. From what I've read, it sounds like I'll have to go to an evaluator and then thru the EEP program (assuming the evaluation deems me not to have a dependency- which I do NOT, it was a one-off thing and I could pass a hair test at anytime.)

My question is, how long should I expect before hearing from the Board or Tpapn regarding the failed pre employment test if it was reported in December 2017? I want to get all this over with.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't know anything about the programs in Texas. However, welcome to our little corner of the internet. Welcome. Hopefully you will find some helpful advice here. I know you will have the support of some people in the same situation as you. Good Luck To You!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hello Fellow Texas Nurse.

If the company does in fact report you to the TBON, you will be in TPAPN's three year program and not the one year EEP. EEP is for suggestive claims of substance abuse. Since you tested positive for THC, you'll be asked by the BON to enroll into TPAPN.

TPAPN will require you to go to 90 NA/AA meetings in 90 days, followed by four meetings a week for the entirety of the program after that. You'll be required to upload evidence of those meetings through their online portal. If you find someone that wants to hire you, you'll have to disclose to them you're in TPAPN and that for the first six months of employment you can't work overtime or nights. You also won't be allowed to handle any narcotics. Drug testing doesn't care about your day job, so if you work on the floor in a hospital other nurses would have to watch your patients for as many hours as it takes you to drug test. You'll have to meet with your unit director every three months and make a phone conference with your TPAPN advocate to acknowledge that you're not screwing up at work. It's really rough...

If you're certain the company reported you to the TBON, you could actually begin your 90/90 as soon as you want to get it out of the way. However, if there's a slight possibility they didn't you won't have to deal with all this mess.

Let me know if you have any questions about TPAPN. I also popped hot for THC and I'm two and a half years into the program.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Did you fail a pre employment drug screen? That just seems so excessive for a PRE employment test. I haven't been practicing as a nurse since June of last year. When I researched the EEP it says the, "EEP is a voluntary monitoring system that takes a non-punitive approach to helping RNs and LVNs demonstrate that they do not have a substance abuse problem. To be accepted, RNs must have a positive drug screen with no other legal concerns or a single, identified incident of improper drug or alcohol use. Nurses must also receive a negative evaluation for substance use disorder (as determined by a qualified assessor) to be accepted into EEP." This was a single incident for me and i have no marks on my record, so wouldn't I be eligible for this route? Did you get an attorney to help you?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was a single incident with no history at the age of 30. Certain variables will add up. The substance abuse counselor they refer you to can make a strong recommendation to put you into EEP and you're good to go. However, the issue with drug testing is still there for working a floor unit though but you shouldn't have a problem working nights. An evaluation might argue that if you jeopardized your career over a joint, you might have a problem with substance abuse. I hope your outcome is better than mine.

Also, I did consult with a lawyer.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Was it a pre employment drug screen that you failed too? Gosh, I'm so sorry you've had to go through all of this but I bet you're glad it's almost over. Also, how long before you heard from the Board from the time of failing?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It was a pre-employment screening. Took about six months to hear from TBON.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Your evaluator can make a recommendation for EEP. Some don't know about EEP so bring information with you regarding EEP. Good luck

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It took Tx BON about 15 months to contact me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Women's Health, LTC.
An evaluation might argue that if you jeopardized your career over a joint, you might have a problem with substance abuse. I hope your outcome is better than mine.

Also, I did consult with a lawyer.

This is what I find wrong with these programs. Now, for me, I do have a problem, but am 13 years sober.

For you, JoJo and for NurseTexas2018, it does not sound like you belong in these programs. I am sorry it happened to you.

Good luck to both of you.

I am also in TX, but not licensed here. Trying to have my license reissued from AZ and then see if I can jump onto the monitoring bus here in TX.

Keep your heads up!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
Did you fail a pre employment drug screen? That just seems so excessive for a PRE employment test. I haven't been practicing as a nurse since June of last year. When I researched the EEP it says the, "EEP is a voluntary monitoring system that takes a non-punitive approach to helping RNs and LVNs demonstrate that they do not have a substance abuse problem. To be accepted, RNs must have a positive drug screen with no other legal concerns or a single, identified incident of improper drug or alcohol use. Nurses must also receive a negative evaluation for substance use disorder (as determined by a qualified assessor) to be accepted into EEP." This was a single incident for me and i have no marks on my record, so wouldn't I be eligible for this route? Did you get an attorney to help you?

The highlighted portion of your answer is key. The recovery industry is just that an industry that sucks millions of dollars out of people who can ill afford to pay it. I am not talking about street level addicts but rather people who may or may not have substance abuse issues but have voluntarily submitted themselves for treatment in order to keep their jobs. You will get a list of "Qualified Assessors" most of whom work for various treatment centers and they have a financial interest in identifying a substance abuse problem. If you can, find out if you can see an independent addictions specialist that is not associated with a treatment facility. Then keep you mouth shut. No more talk here either. When you go for your evaluation be honest but do not elaborate. Like in court keep your answers short and to the point. While I am defiantly an alcoholic in recovery for over 15 years I was never ever impaired at work and ended up in a program after a suicide attempt. What I needed was psychological counseling not the punitive one size fits all program I was shoved into. Still it kept me sober for 5 years which helped with my depression as well and I am a better person than I was. I spent close to $60,000.00 over 5 years in the program. It's all behind me now but I am here as a source of support.

Hppy

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well Hppy, you put it well as it could be put I think. Thank you for sharing & I'm glad you are sober & Hppy

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion