drug test results

Nursing Students General Students

Published

I am truly in nursing school hell this week. I am in med surg 2 and am supposed to start clinicals tomorrow. Yesterday, the program director called me and told me that the hospital will not allow me to start my clinicals, due to a "red flag" I had on my drug screen (the drug test I took a YEAR ago to get into school). I never had seen a copy of my drug screen so I had to call the data bank center that handles the background checks, and they emailed me a copy. I was not positive for any drugs (which I already knew), my drug screen results were "dilute". This simply means I drank too much water before I gave my urine sample. So basically, I can't go to clinical because I drank too much water before a drug test I did a year ago.

This creates a huge problem for me. Why did the hospital wait until two days before I start clinical to tell me this???? No other hospital I have done clinicals at have considered this a problem, apparently this hospital is just very strict. I had to rush around yesterday and get another drug test (and pay $65). The results usually take a few days so I probably can't go to clinical this week. I am not sure how I am going to make up those days and my instructor is not being incredibly helpful.

Ugh!!!! I feel like screaming!!!!!:angryfire

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It sucks that you have to go through this and that your instructor isn't being helpful. Truthfully, she probably thinks that you are a pot head or something and is just waiting for the results of your current test. A lot of pot heads try to dilute their urine before testing so it to them it looks like you did it on purpose. It's undignified to be in this position but you don't really have too many options other than waiting for your clean test results to prove your innocence.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I guess it just really sucks because I have never done any drugs in my life. The reason I drank so much water before the test was that I have "stage fright" when I have to give urine samples. I need to have the urge to pee really badly when I go in there, or else I have a mental block and I can't do it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

:icon_hug: Wow, that just really stinks that they waited so late to notify you....it sounds like at this point you'll just have to suck it up and do whatever they decide is best to make this up....sometimes nursing school is such a pain, lol!! It's amazing any of us stick around to graduate!!

Hang in there!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
The reason I drank so much water before the test was that I have "stage fright" when I have to give urine samples. I need to have the urge to pee really badly when I go in there, or else I have a mental block and I can't do it.

Wow, I have the same problem (and did the same thing). If I'm not actually in PAIN from having to go so bad I would never be able to do it, with all the pressure from having someone sitting outside the room, etc. I didn't have any such problem. I feel awful for you and that seems really, really unfair. I hope you can get it worked out quickly.

Kelly

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, IM, OB/GYN, neuro, GI.

That sucks that they won't let you start clinicals. You figure the school would have known the hospitals policy on UDS results before you even started clinicals so this could have been resolved. When we did ours the lab came to school and was passing bottles of water out to us like we were on the sun. I swear I think I drank two bottles and still barely had enough to give the sample. Going on demand is not something I can do.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Wow! Something to remember when ever I finally have to take a drug test! We didn't need one for clinicals, which still shocks me...but I have exactly the same problem. It takes me FOREVER to produce pee on demand, and I've even had to try, leave the bathroom, go back to the waiting room, apologize to the nurse over and over again while I pound as much water as I can without vomiting...which makes me more nervous so it's even harder to go! And that's when the urine test is really routine, like a pregnancy test so I can have an x-ray done or as part of some type of normal lab work. I wonder if there's a way to ask that question of potential future employers without sounding like I'm trying not to fail a drug test...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds, PICU, Home health, Dialysis.

I have heard of this happening in the past to people, so whenever I know I need to take a urine drug test, I drink lots of soda. I usually don't drink soda but I know the caffeine in it is a diuretic and it doesn't dilute the urine.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I guess it just really sucks because I have never done any drugs in my life. The reason I drank so much water before the test was that I have "stage fright" when I have to give urine samples. I need to have the urge to pee really badly when I go in there, or else I have a mental block and I can't do it.

I have a daughter who has "stage fright" even in public restrooms. She is now 16, but when she was younger it was so hard on her, and really us. We tried all sorts of things, she would drink TONS and then freeze, actually causing her pain. Poor thing had to carry extra clothes to school knowing an accident would be inevitable. IT was dreadful. Thank the technology geeks everywhere, invention of the Pocket Mp3 player. She wears it ALL the time now, and starts the music BEFORE she has to enter the restroom. She actually has a note from our family physician that says she can have it with her during drug testing, she is an athlete. The testing companies wrinkle their faces...open the little player, where the battery is...making sure no urine or drugs have found their way in and away she goes. She is a much happier kid for it.

Good luck to you and maybe you can get an Mp3 and a docs note, LOL>

Up Vote Up Vote ×

That sucks. I hope that everything works out. I hate hearing things like this happening to people, especially the good ones.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment