Failed screening

Nurses Recovery

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Not sure where to begin, I got into this program almost a year ago and have had 3 positive screenings for opiates, please don't come after me. Was curious what the ASBN will do about this, I'm willing to do whatever, I just need some reassurance here. This is my first time posting on this forum. I have read hours upon hours of topics on here, not hardly slept and just disgusted with myself. Thinking it would be better just to surrender my license then to face the board. Has anyone ever had to deal with being kicked out of monitoring? I am single and have no real family to help me and I'm gonna loose everything without a job. Thanks for reading. 

Specializes in Psychiatry.

Lawyer.  Get one.

1 Votes

I can't afford one, I barely have enough to pay rent and utilities for this next month, I'm just aggravated and hoping they will just extend my time. I'm willing to do whatever, haven't heard from BON or CM since it's holidays, test just came back yesterday. I only had 7 months left of my term and now I just wanna give up. 

Specializes in Psychiatry.
JackieeD said:

I can't afford one, I barely have enough to pay rent and utilities for this next month, I'm just aggravated and hoping they will just extend my time. I'm willing to do whatever, haven't heard from BON or CM since it's holidays, test just came back yesterday. I only had 7 months left of my term and now I just wanna give up. 

Then you have to hope and pray they give you another chance.  I'm guessing you used opiates and that's why it was positive.  You need to figure out why you relapsed. For others who may be in your shoes it's probably better to be honest before the results come back.  Good luck to you. 

1 Votes

First: if it's something you really want, go for it. BUT BE ALL IN. 
Second: meetings meetings meetings! Therapy, get a sponsor/mentor. If you're already doing that, increase your frequency. 
Third: if you get kicked out of your respective program, people typically get two chances at the program. But if you don't want to give up- DON'T. 
Fourth: find me on the book of face. Valerie Arens. We have a private support group that can help with advice, support, and solidarity. Be sure to message me when you send the friend request, so I know not to decline it. 

4 Votes

Thank you all for your words, I'm literally losing it! I don't think I can do this anymore! And of course it's a holiday so I won't hear from anyone till Tuesday. I haven't used in months, so not sure what this positive is about have t heard from my CM. I'm being honest when I said it's been months. I've had nothing but negative tests till yesterday! I'm hoping it's something from the Mucinex, because I have no clue what else it could be! 

Specializes in Psychiatry.
JackieeD said:

Thank you all for your words, I'm literally losing it! I don't think I can do this anymore! And of course it's a holiday so I won't hear from anyone till Tuesday. I haven't used in months, so not sure what this positive is about have t heard from my CM. I'm being honest when I said it's been months. I've had nothing but negative tests till yesterday! I'm hoping it's something from the Mucinex, because I have no clue what else it could be! 

If you didn't relapse that's a different story.  Did you eat poppy seeds? Ask if it could be anything you ate or took. Ask what the level of opiates was to see if it was incidental exposure. If that fails Ask to confirm with a hair or nail test as they go back farther and if those are negative it shows you didn't use an opiate.  Sorry, I assumed you relapsed. I worry about a false positive test for myself. 

Specializes in Psychiatry.

Depending on the formula of mucinex it may be the cause of the positive test. Take a picture of the ingredients and send it to your case manager.  

If you submit split specimens, there's not much in the form of argument- the second sample is used to verify any positive results using gas chromatography. So that's where the poppy seeds/drug interactions are typically ruled out. Find out the levels detected, and double check the do not take med list of your program and go from there. Don't panic until you've gotten all the facts. 

1 Votes
insurancenurse said:

If you submit split specimens, there's not much in the form of argument- the second sample is used to verify any positive results using gas chromatography. So that's where the poppy seeds/drug interactions are typically ruled out. Find out the levels detected, and double check the do not take med list of your program and go from there. Don't panic until you've gotten all the facts. 

Thank you for your uplifting words, I am asking to be retested. I'm just a mess right now and haven't eaten, slept or anything freaking out. I have the job I love, been there for a year, they have been so good to me and understanding of everything as well. They even let me work as a CNA while my stuff was getting processed for income. Thank you again and praying it all works out! 
 

Specializes in Psychiatry.
JackieeD said:

Thank you for your uplifting words, I am asking to be retested. I'm just a mess right now and haven't eaten, slept or anything freaking out. I have the job I love, been there for a year, they have been so good to me and understanding of everything as well. They even let me work as a CNA while my stuff was getting processed for income. Thank you again and praying it all works out! 
 

A retest of urine won't help because it will hopefully be negative and not cover the same period of time. You Either need to say you took or ate something that could have shown up as a opiate or ask to test for hair or nails if it wasn't anything you consumed. 

JackieeD said:

Thank you all for your words, I'm literally losing it! I don't think I can do this anymore! And of course it's a holiday so I won't hear from anyone till Tuesday. I haven't used in months, so not sure what this positive is about have t heard from my CM. I'm being honest when I said it's been months. I've had nothing but negative tests till yesterday! I'm hoping it's something from the Mucinex, because I have no clue what else it could be! 

In my program, they would send you for higher level testing. In this case, a hair test would be most likely. If you haven't used, I think you should be fine. Mucinex could cause a false positive, and I would be proactive about contacting your CM. Several nurses in my program had a false positive for alcohol (likely a UTI) and they were sent for PeTH tests to confirm. 

I had three positive screens at the start (they were back to back) and was proactive about telling my CM that I was drinking alcohol. She ordered me to go for treatment. It was uncomfortable experience but I do feel like it made a difference that I was proactive and honest with her about my struggle. Obviously not the same as what happened to you, just sharing my experience

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