May lose my license :(

Nurses General Nursing

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I am so worried because my license is on probation and I had to take a drug screen and I tested positive for alcohol. I did not know that they really cared about alcohol unless I was drinking on the job. I had to pay to have a MRO review my drug screen and they failed me. I am a nurse in KY and I love being a nurse and I love my job. I am so worried they are going to suspend my license over this. I need advice on how to get through this. If I lose my license I feel like I have nothing. Nursing is the only thing that I am good at. I just need to talk:scrying:

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych.

Why is your license on probation? Why did they review your drug screen and why did they fail you? If you knew you were going to take a drug test and you chose to drink alcohol in a timeframe that could show up, that wasn't a good choice (course you know that now). It's difficult to give you suggestions without more info. Suggest you try to take care of yourself while waiting to see what happens. Do some hard exercise as it really helps with stress reduction.

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We can give you lots of room to vent your frustrations here but we can't offer any legal advice per the TOS. Just relax for now. What's done is done. Don't make the same mistake again. If you are lucky you can convince TPTB that it was a one time indiscretion that won't recur. Suggest that you seek some legal advice, preferably from a nurse attorney. You can get a referral from TAANA (The American Assn of Nurse Attorneys). Good luck.

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I agree, more information is needed.

Was the drug screen following an incident at work? If that was the case then you had ETOH on board while at work and, this could be a problem. I do not usually see people tested for ETOH on a typical drug screen, so, somebody may have had a concern about ETOH?

You may not be drinking at work, but it is still a problem if you have ETOH in your system when you are working.

Most states offer some type of program that nurses can complete. Unless this is part of a bigger problem or not an isolated incident, you should have options that will allow you to keep your license.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych.

You can call the Association of RN Attorneys at (877) 538-2262 to get info on RN attorneys in your area. I called an RN attorney about an employment matter and she gave me a quick phone consult for no fee.

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Specializes in HOSPICE,MED-SURG, ONCOLOGY,ORTHOPAEDICS.

Be proactive about this, call the board after calling an attorney, do some soul searching, are you substituting one habit for another? If so, get some help immediately. As in real life, take the blame and, if you do really want to continue be a nurse, get the help you need, I agree, take care of yourself in the process, eat right, exercise, start a journal, seek counseling, find a role model and seek out good friends and family for support.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych.

If you have private nursing insurance, contact them. At approx. $100 a year it's well worth the added protection.

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I'm having a problem understanding how you didn't know that no alcohol meant NO alcohol? I'm in CA, but the stuff our BON puts out states no chemicals of any kind unless the BON knows about it (legal scripts, etc.). Nowhere does it say that alcohol can be consumed when off duty for those who are tested for drugs.

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Hey Kentucky,

I would suggest you contact AA and start going to classes. You may also want to contact a therapist, preferably an addictionologist. The board likes to see that you are remorseful and actively seeking help. If you have an EAP program at work they may be able to assist you to seek treatment for "alcohol addiction" ( i'm not saying you are an alcoholic but the board will infer it). I would venture to think that addiction may be covered under mental health disorders. It may help you to play the "alcoholic" role. But it is good advice to talk with an attorney. It is a very real probability that your license will be suspended, but often times suspension enforcement is withheld as long as you participate in a recovery program and FOLLOW ALL THE RULES!! :banghead: You have to make a choice, drink or work as a nurse. It would be a no-brainier for me. If you are already under this type of contract agreement with the board then you may very well have to endure the suspension. You may speak with your employer or EAP officer, they may be able to get you a job as a Tech or something while you weather this storm. The next time you want to drink, just THINK!!:nono::nono:

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

What were the circumstances that an ETOH test was required? Was it a random test or a new hire? As mentioned, we cannot offer legal advice (not that I have any). I have heard that those that participate in programs have a more positive outcome. Best of luck, and if there is a problem, please address it.

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Specializes in PACU, Med/Surg.

Call me stupid, but is there a rule about drinking ETOH off duty, providing you are not under the influence? I TRY to drink a small glass of red wine before bed every night (sometimes skip a few nights). I don't think any agency should be able to mandate what a nurse can legally do off-duty if it doesn't affect their work.

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Specializes in Hospice, LTC, Rehab, Home Health.

If you are talking about someone not on probation or monitoring for substance use/abuse; who is off duty and not scheduled to work within a reasonable time period and talking about 1 drink (in your scenario 1drink at bedtime and not working for 8 to 16 hrs) then no there are no rules against it. But that is not the situation being discussed by the OP

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