No pre employment drug screen?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in ICU.

i went to Concentra for my pre-employment physical. Every nursing job I've had has done a drug screen, not this one.

It's a good thing, because I freaked out because like an idiot I took a left over percocet I had from a pulled tooth because I was having severe back pain the night before.

I just though it was strange that they didn't give one, but hey, I'm not complaining!

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If they decide to test you after your physical, just show them the bottle. If it was prescribed to you, you would have been fine anyway.

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If they decide to test you after your physical, just show them the bottle. If it was prescribed to you, you would have been fine anyway.

I'm curious if it would be grounds for drug screen failure if they happened to ask for proof when the tooth was was pulled (say it was 2 years ago)? Or are you okay for an indefinite amount of time for any prescription as long as its in your name?

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

It's a facility's right to decide if they will drug test you before employment. And keep in mind that when you agree to work for an employer, you're also agreeing to random drug screens at any time (unless your employment contract indicates otherwise). So if they didn't test you before you started the job, they may decide to spring one on you down the road.

As long as you're taking Percocet that is legally prescribed to you, then you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

Best of luck with the new job!

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Specializes in ICU.

The bottle says take 1 tab q 8 prn pain. Didn't specify the pai . So I should be good. I had to dig the bottle out of the trash when I realized what I did since it was the last one. They can test me whenever, I only take what's in my medicine cabinet, and well, it happened to be in my medicine cabinet !!! Thanks by the way, I'm really excited for this one and didn't want to screw it up!!!!

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I'm curious if it would be grounds for drug screen failure if they happened to ask for proof when the tooth was was pulled (say it was 2 years ago)? Or are you okay for an indefinite amount of time for any prescription as long as its in your name?

You really think they would ask for proof? Maybe yes maybe no. They purpose of a drug screen is to see if you are illegally taking medication that was not legally prescribed to you. I was in a car accident 9 months ago, they prescribed me flexeril. If I have muscle stiffness/pain I occationally take one before bed. This muscle pain that I have is certainly not related to my car accident. It says "Take one pill PRN pain", so am I wrong to take one? I doubt it.

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Specializes in Rehab, critical care.

Yeah, that is weird. I've had a drug test as a pre-employment requirement for nursing, but also other jobs I have had in the past. Can't really remember one that didn't require it. Is this a clinical position? I would think the joint commission would say that's a requirement just as it is not to keep the COW's in the hallways as they're a fire hazard, though I'm pretty sure I'd rather have a rogue COW than a doped up nurse caring for me lol.

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Wow drugs tests for pre employment. Thats crazy (to me anyway). In Australia there is nothing like that. I have never been tested for drugs on any job I have had pre or during. I know they do in construction and mining, but it wouldn't happen any where else unless they suspected something first.

And also pre employment physical. Does not happen. Proof of vaccinations, serology, but thats all.

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Specializes in ICU.

I've had more hospital jobs that didn't drug test than ones that did. Congrats and good luck in the new job! :)

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Specializes in ICU.

It's a home hospice position. I was actually surprised.Sifty, in good ole free America they now test for nicotine...... It's becoming a little communist nation for health care employees in america

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Specializes in Gerontology.
Wow drugs tests for pre employment. Thats crazy (to me anyway). In Australia there is nothing like that. I have never been tested for drugs on any job I have had pre or during. I know they do in construction and mining, but it wouldn't happen any where else unless they suspected something first.

And also pre employment physical. Does not happen. Proof of vaccinations, serology, but thats all.

We don't do drug testing in Canada either. I'm always surprised when the topic comes up. I can't imagine being afraid to take a drug I need because it might cause me to lose my job.

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Specializes in Adult/Ped Emergency and Trauma.

if I'm not mistaken from what I know right now without research, Oxycodone is only detectable by a differential not on the standard Nida-5 UDS that most facilities use. The N5 only picks up Morphine based non-synthetic Opiates. Not semi-synthetic, Opioids.

And then, . . .It is only in the urine for like 24 hours I think, I believe it is mostly metabolized in the Liver too.

I could be way off, and I really shouldn't even speak-up without confirmation (and I could be thinking of Hydrocodone).

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