Failed random drug test for thc

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Specializes in ICU.

Hi I have been a nurse for 13 years. I have never had any discipline or right ups against me. I am currently in a leadership role. I failed a random drug test for Thc. I have had a rough 6 months and used Thc a couple of times during that 6 month period. I am currently waiting on my confirmation UDS results. I am very nervous and scared and do not know why to expect. I know I will need to self report to TNPAP. My question is when I speak with them should I admit to just one time use or sporadic use for the past several months. I want to do whatever I need to do to keep my license to support my family. I understand I put myself in this situation but just need some guidance...

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Specializes in Mental health, Critical Care, Nurse Educator du.

In my experience, it doesn't matter if you used it once or daily. It was in your system,  and that's all they see. My advice is to be honest. You will probably get your hair or nails tested, and if you just used THC once, it probably wouldn't show up there. If it does, saying you just used it once would show that you were being dishonest. 

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Specializes in ICU.

Thank you for your response

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Specializes in Critical care nursing.

Random- but I feel it is so so so sad you could potentially lose your license over THC use. Prayers you keep your license and everything works out for the best.

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Specializes in Surgical Specialty Clinic - Ambulatory Care.

I have soooo many questions here. First of all I will say it is complete and utter *** that anything should happen to you for testing positive for THC. Until there is a test that can tell if you are high or not when tested, the point is moot. The issue with THC is that it lingers. I have tested positive for up to 6 weeks after smoking a joint. You certainly are not high 6 weeks later. I think I would consult a lawyer. What if you vacationed in a state where cannabis is legal and ate a chocolate bar with THC? You wouldn't have done anything illegal so why would the state get to take away your license? I get why you would, unfortunately, loose your job. Even in states where it is legal the rule of thumb is if an incident occurs and you have to get tested, a positive THC level will get you fired. But they just don't do random testing anymore unless an incident occurred. And I have even had a very obese patient who was a regular smoker, but had been abstinent for a year test positive for cannabis. I expressed my doubts to the doctor about this patient being cannabis free for a year as she said, and he told me that THC attaches to fat cells, because this patient had been aggressively and successfully loosing weight the UDS would be positive until she quit loosing weight. I guess I just don't see why a positive test alone would put you in a position to loose your license. Why wouldn't someone have to accuse you of working under the influence and putting lives at risk? 

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Specializes in ICU.

I have been wondering the things. 

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I think it's bs but I'm in the same boat and tbh just be honest just say you've used on several occasions I wouldn't be like super specific on amount whether it's daily or every once and awhile but I wouldn't say it's just once unless it was just once. Also don't say you have a ton of mental growth issues or that will open a whole new can of worms that if you are so mentally unstable you need to partake in subastance abuse are you stable enough to work as a nurse. It's okay to say you mental health issues but don't make it seem like you can't get out of bed in function for example. 
Honestly you'll get probably some kind of reprimand. I did I got a year of drug testing and a penalty of $1000. I wasn't even currently employed when this happened it was for a pre-employment drug screen. It's so crazy man... I'm still like pulling my hair out over it like how did I get into this over just thc. But it is what it is and I'm sorry you are dealing with this as well. I hope it goes better for you and maybe you'll get more of a slap in the wrist. 

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Specializes in ICU.

Just curious do you live in a state where Thc is still illegal?

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Yes 

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

Clearly your employer feels that this is a big issue for them and they are willing to pay the high costs associated with random violations of staff privacy. 

How sad. 

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Specializes in Oceanfront Living.

I am very familiar with the workings of TNPAP.   Not certain that I would self report.  Wait for a Board action.  Are you certain the findings were reported to the Board?  

You will not lose your licence.  In Tennessee, you have a "property right" to your licence and can really keep it under most circumstances. 

Best of luck.

 

 

 

 

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Specializes in Community health.

Unbelievable. I live in an area where it's legal recreationally, and yet job drug screens still test for it. It's fuzzy what happens if you test positive here in this state. I'm so sorry you're going through this. 

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