First time tested postive for THC & BON sent a potential threat

MoshRN · May 15, 2014

Wow. Thats is scary.

ixchel · May 15, 2014

If you did not smoke or eat THC, then you need to explain the exposure, or whatever it might be that caused the positive. If you did smoke or eat it.... honestly? Why would you do that? Listen, I'm not going to get into the debate over whether it should be legalized, or whether it has health benefits, or any of that. The fact remains that using it is choosing to break the law. Not only that, but you did it right before a pre-employment drug screen. Surely you knew that was part of the test panel??? In most states, recreational usage is illegal. I strongly recommend discussing this with an attorney BEFORE you respond to the BON. I also recommend that if you did use marijuana, you NOT SAY SO ON THE INTERNET.

Chicarocks123 · May 15, 2014

You said you weren't a drug addict but you didn't say that you hadn't smoked either. Start thinking of some good excuses.

RN8203 · May 16, 2014

No I am not a drug addict and I took a few hits like 2 days before the test. Yes I realize that was wrong and it is illegal but I am paying for it now. I just don't think I should have my license suspended or have to go through drug rehab for one little mistake. I'm not even sure that is what will happen it could be much worse. I really hope not. I have worked way too hard to loose everything over a dumb decision. I am just asking if anyone has been through a similar situation? Or knows what I should do? That's all. Trust me I know it was wrong & I've been crying all day since I got the letter.

Chicarocks123 · May 16, 2014

I have a criminal history (driving with no license and arrests) and had to appear before my state committee to even take my boards. I wasn't the only one and the process is nerve wracking. There were a bunch of nurses there for various reasons. There was a younger chick who got caught drinking and the courts made her take rehab classes or whatever and the committee let her renew her license. I'm in Indiana and they seemed pretty lenient in my eyes not what I was expecting. But who knows maybe you'll get a ****** board member. As long as you didn't get fired for being high while on the job you should be okay. You most likely will be reprimanded and have to appear before your state committee. I don't even have my license yet and got put on 6 months probation. So something will probably happen and it might be more difficult to find a job. Like the board member told me "difficult but not impossible". **** happens :/

ixchel · May 16, 2014

No I am not a drug addict and I took a few hits like 2 days before the test. Yes I realize that was wrong and it is illegal but I am paying for it now. I just don't think I should have my license suspended or have to go through drug rehab for one little mistake. I'm not even sure that is what will happen it could be much worse. I really hope not. I have worked way too hard to loose everything over a dumb decision. I am just asking if anyone has been through a similar situation? Or knows what I should do? That's all. Trust me I know it was wrong & I've been crying all day since I got the letter.

Okay, first - when you break the law, you DON'T TELL THE INTERNET.

Second, you say you knew it was wrong and that you're paying the price now and you don't think your license should be suspended. Did these thoughts cross your mind when you smoked pot two days before a pre-employment drug screen?

Third, you are on an addictions forum asking addicts for advice on how to get out of a failed drug screen. Maybe you are not an addict, but you have terrible self control and seem to not realize how incredibly inappropriate it is to be asking this question in this forum.

Why shouldn't there be a penalty to your license? The way the board and your previous employer see it, you couldn't refrain from using drugs long enough to beat a drug screen. I'm only going to say this one more time, and then I think I'm going to have to walk away from this thread completely - LAWYER UP. Especially now that you've told the internet you smoked pot knowing it would make you fail this drug test.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · May 16, 2014

No I am not a drug addict and I took a few hits like 2 days before the test. Yes I realize that was wrong and it is illegal but I am paying for it now. I just don't think I should have my license suspended or have to go through drug rehab for one little mistake. I'm not even sure that is what will happen it could be much worse. I really hope not. I have worked way too hard to loose everything over a dumb decision. I am just asking if anyone has been through a similar situation? Or knows what I should do? That's all. Trust me I know it was wrong & I've been crying all day since I got the letter.

The test is very sensitive and while it could probably detect that someone got a second-hand exposure, the level it's set for a "positive" result is high enough that it "catches" actual use only. You presumably knew you were going to do a pre-employment drug screen. You've been in nursing long enough to know that MJ doesn't clear from your system in 2 days. Chances are good that you are going to be paying for your "little mistake" for quite some time. Lawyer up, preferably one that knows BON regulations. It's likely your only chance to mitigate the consequences.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · May 16, 2014

Moved to our Nurses / Recovery forum as they deal with BON on this issue.

RN8203 · May 16, 2014

I didn't realize I was getting tested just to be clear because I had already been there 3 weeks but thank you for your advice I do appreciate it!

Twoyearnurse · May 16, 2014

Hey, so so sorry you've got to go through this. Stupid mistakes will catch you up with the board. These folks before me gave some sage advice-lawyer lawyer lawyer. Recovering addicts are not the best for advice when it comes to what you should say in your letter- anyone working a program will tell you to be honest while not falling on your sword. For us, withholding will make us sick- if we become sick we will die (I promise this is not a dramatization, it's the hard truth). What you will find here though is excellent support. You are embarking on a terrifying journey- but here's the good news. You will get though it. Try to remember that life is a continueum, it will march on despite our worst fears, and even the worst days have brilliant moments. Come here to rant and rave about everything you learn on this journey. The most terrible thing you could do is isolate. I imagine you are not sleeping well, crying a lot, and wishing you could go back to that moment and change it. Experience that but don't live there too long. You've now got an experience to share and a new way to educate others. Chin up.

ICURNBSN · May 16, 2014

In nursing school, we were required to go to a board of nursing meeting where they deal with these things. I found that in most situations the board was more understanding if the nurse showed that he or she showed that they were taking steps to fix what they did. Many of the people who got probation over suspension of their license went to meetings, met with a counselor, and stated why they were wrong . The ones that said but it was just one little mistake and didn't show that they were working to make sure it didn't happen again seemed to be more likely to get more punishment.