I am a new grad nurse and accepted a position contingent on passing physical and drug screen. One week prior to test I was in the ED with kidney stones and was given fluids, pain meds and valium. I indicated to the nurse I had been on meds prior to the drug screen. The results indicated I tested positive for "oxazepam".. I have never heard of this drug. After hours of research and speaking with pharmacy they indicated it is a metabolite of Valium which I did get IV in the ED. However, my job offer has been revoked and no one seems to care enough to listen to me. I am embarrassed, humiliated and upset however it seems I can't do anything about it.
Are there any Occ med nurses out there that have any advice?? Now I am afraid any other employer that may call for a reference will not hire me based on my position being revoked at this hospital.
All take note about the lab having a responsibility to contact you first to prove a legal script; this is very true. If the lab consults the employer first; run, don't walk to a lawyer because you will have a huge suit.
When you are able to provide proof (you give your doc permission to talk to them etc...) the test result goes back to the employer as a negative. Privacy law forbid the drug labs to divulge any other info about you unless you can't prove legitimacy then and only then can they tell the employer the results.
To error is human and these labs make many mistakes no matter how careful they are and in the process lives are ruined. If you are innocent with a positive and they fire you or rescind an offer of employment; fight it. Both the lab and the employer are at fault.
Not only that, but it sounds like proper procedure wasn't followed in collecting the urine sample either. This information should also be given to an attorney.
The whole deal is a mess!!! I'm out the job I wanted but moreover humiliated to family and friends (they believe me, but sounds ridiculous to them).
I went to chat with a pharmacist actually 3, all indicated oxazepam is end metabolite of valium; since drug screen shows oxazepam and I have no script for that but do valium I think someone is just not wanting to take the time to investigate this but me. Besides, I have old scripts for valium and were told it is not illegal to have/take old scripts..so I should be cleared, but I'm not. Attorney said they have no legal obligation to hire me so it's fighting a losing battle (unfair) but since I can provide all scripts and scientific information about metabolism possibly discrimination. I really don't want to fight this like that, but I just want them to know I am not a drug abuser! and yes it is possible for a drug you never have taken to end up in your system.
GM2RN
1,850 Posts
Not only that, but it sounds like proper procedure wasn't followed in collecting the urine sample either. This information should also be given to an attorney.