Nursing Drug Test!

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I just received a job offer, and have to be drug tested. I was recently prescribed valium 10mg for a procedure at my doctors office + anxiety in general. My question to you guys is, I believe the test will come back positive for benzos. Will I be ok given that this was prescribed to me? I have never taken this before, except this past week, and it's not a long-term prescription (she only gave me 4 pills). Is this grounds for them to automatically rescind their offer? Or do I get a chance to say why I have that in my system, and a chance to prove that I was prescribed it?

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Specializes in Critical Care.

It depends on how the employer has defined what they are testing for to the MRO, but most likely there's nothing to worry about. Employers typically just screen for illicit drug use; either use of illegal drugs or prescribed drugs without a valid prescription. So even if you test positive the MRO may just ask for a valid script, and then report your result as "negative".

For direct care nursing, employers can choose to prohibit certain classes of drugs even if there is a valid prescription, in which case your prospective employer would typically notify you of a positive result and give you the opportunity to explain that it's only temporary use.

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The drug testing facility will forward it to the MD reviewer. They will then call you to contact your doctor for the valid RX. As long as they do, you should be fine.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
The drug testing facility will forward it to the MD reviewer. They will then call you to contact your doctor for the valid RX. As long as they do, you should be fine.

This is often true, but definitely not always, I've never worked for a nursing employer that didn't have restrictions on prescription drug use even with a valid prescription.

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Thank you both! I am hoping everything will be okay. I have a prescription, and it's not for long-term use. I just hope I'll have the opportunity to list the medication before I'm tested.

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Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.

Every drug test I've taken for employers, the tech has always asked me ahead of time if I have any prescriptions. That would be the time to bring it up. That way when your urine is positive, they know to contact you immediately for the prescription. They should contact you anyway, but always play it safe and mention it upfront.

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I have a prescription for xanax. I test positive multiple times. I'VE never been refused a job. I also tested positive when I had a script for hydrocodone, again it didnt keep from getting the job

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For my job preemployment, I had to fill out the form about which prescription medications or OTC meds I was on. The doctor told me to list everything just in case. I take triptans for occasional migraines, and some multivitamins and was told to list those anyway. I was not on any controlled substances, but i think that as long as you have a valid prescription and tell them ahead of time, it should fine. This screening mainly screening for illegal substances or abuse. I would mention that it was only 4 pills for short term. I think it will be fine.

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Thank you guys! I go in tomorrow, and will update this post with what happens =)

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