Hair Follicle Testing in Monitoring Programs

TIMFY · Mar 24

Probably depends on the state, but I don't think most states do. Hair testing is supposed to show more chronic use so if it were just a few doses, it probably wouldn't show up.

Healer555 · Mar 24

It all depends. It may not show. The monitoring agreements are brutal. If I could think of another career where I'd earn as much money, I'd absolutely walk away without any regrets but the money is too good.

I'd contact a lawyer, don't use any substance prescribed or not, don't drink until your evaluation is over. Too many addiction specialists see substance use disorder when there isn't one.

Sick of nursing 101 · Mar 24

Yeah

im also super worried I'll have a hard time even getting a job after spending all that money

Healer555 · Mar 24

Sick of nursing 101 said:

Yeah

im also super worried I'll have a hard time even getting a job after spending all that money

If all you did was take expired pain medication you may have a chance. People get jobs while in a monitoring program.

dancinginthedark · Mar 25

Everyone in my program does a hair test. It could go either way. If you can get a prescription for the med, I'd do that asap. It takes about a week for meds to show up in hair.

Sick of nursing 101 · Mar 26

dancinginthedark said:

Everyone in my program does a hair test. It could go either way. If you can get a prescription for the med, I'd do that asap. It takes about a week for meds to show up in hair.

Do they do it in the beginning or later on, and what panel test do they do? Any idea and how much money is that gonna set me back?

Healer555 · Mar 26

Sick of nursing 101 said:

Do they do it in the beginning or later on, and what panel test do they do? Any idea and how much money is that gonna set me back?

About 55 to collect the hair and 110 to test

brandy1017, ASN, RN · Mar 28

Are you working now? Do you have to be in a monitoring program in the first place? Every state is different in how long these programs last from 3-5 years I've read. People can spend 30K to jump thru all the hoops of therapy and drug testing. So if you are close to retirement and don't want to stay in nursing, I would look for a way out before I spent that kind of money.

Plus, it is very draconian from what I've read. You aren't allowed anything that would be considered a controlled substance even if you have a prescription for it. Doesn't matter if you have pain or anxiety. So even if you had a valid script, they probably wouldn't let you use it.

Your profile says you have been in nursing 33 years so can you retire from your job ie are you 55 or turning it this year? It's called the Rule of 55 doesn't matter if you quit or are fired as long as they let you take distributions from your 401k/403b. Don't roll it over to an IRA. If you are still working you could see if you could roll any traditional IRA's into it before you leave or old 401k/403b as well. Then you could access your 401k/403b money without penalty if you left your job at 55 or later. If you own a home, try to get a HELOC before you lose your job for access to emergency money but interest rates are high now so be frugal. You can't access your IRA till 59 1/2 without the 10% federal plus whatever state tax penalty, unless a Roth IRA you can take the contributions you put in tax free and that would keep your income low to get Obamacare at an affordable rate, use the Silver plan. Or you could get another job outside of nursing where you don't need your license if you still have to work. Are you eligible for a pension, can you start it early at 55 or later. Pension's cash balance can even be transferred to a 401k/403b in most instances, but you would lose money vs taking it as a lifelong monthly pension in the long run. Also, they have to withhold 20% for taxes till you are 59 1/2 from the 401k/403b vs a pension you can choose not to withhold taxes. If you aren't in that high of a tax bracket you will get the excess money back at the end of the year when you file.

If it were me, I'd rather do that then spend tens of thousands on a monitoring program to try to stay in a job I didn't like or want any more. Hopefully, others will respond about this and how much they've spent. You can read thru other posts and learn more before you sign on the dotted line. Check into what your state requires of you how long the monitoring programs last before you agree. Ideally talk to an attorney that's knowledgeable on BON issues.

PaddedCellLPN, LPN · Mar 29

brandy1017 said:

Are you working now? Do you have to be in a monitoring program in the first place? Every state is different in how long these programs last from 3-5 years I've read. People can spend 30K to jump thru all the hoops of therapy and drug testing. So if you are close to retirement and don't want to stay in nursing, I would look for a way out before I spent that kind of money.

Plus, it is very draconian from what I've read. You aren't allowed anything that would be considered a controlled substance even if you have a prescription for it. Doesn't matter if you have pain or anxiety. So even if you had a valid script, they probably wouldn't let you use it.

Your profile says you have been in nursing 33 years so can you retire from your job ie are you 55 or turning it this year? It's called the Rule of 55 doesn't matter if you quit or are fired as long as they let you take distributions from your 401k/403b. Don't roll it over to an IRA. If you are still working you could see if you could roll any traditional IRA's into it before you leave or old 401k/403b as well. Then you could access your 401k/403b money without penalty if you left your job at 55 or later. If you own a home, try to get a HELOC before you lose your job for access to emergency money but interest rates are high now so be frugal. You can't access your IRA till 59 1/2 without the 10% federal plus whatever state tax penalty, unless a Roth IRA you can take the contributions you put in tax free and that would keep your income low to get Obamacare at an affordable rate, use the Silver plan. Or you could get another job outside of nursing where you don't need your license if you still have to work. Are you eligible for a pension, can you start it early at 55 or later. Pension's cash balance can even be transferred to a 401k/403b in most instances, but you would lose money vs taking it as a lifelong monthly pension in the long run. Also, they have to withhold 20% for taxes till you are 59 1/2 from the 401k/403b vs a pension you can choose not to withhold taxes. If you aren't in that high of a tax bracket you will get the excess money back at the end of the year when you file.

If it were me, I'd rather do that then spend tens of thousands on a monitoring program to try to stay in a job I didn't like or want any more. Hopefully, others will respond about this and how much they've spent. You can read thru other posts and learn more before you sign on the dotted line. Check into what your state requires of you how long the monitoring programs last before you agree. Ideally talk to an attorney that's knowledgeable on BON issues.

I take a controlled substance, and in a monitoring program. It wasn't my DOC, and I've been prescribed it for 10 years. The BON and my program just needs updated verification from my pharmacy, and my addictionologist is monitoring my drug levels at every visit. It's never been an issue, as long as you take the medication for a valid reason.

brandy1017, ASN, RN · Mar 29

PaddedCellLPN said:

I take a controlled substance, and in a monitoring program. It wasn't my DOC, and I've been prescribed it for 10 years. The BON and my program just needs updated verification from my pharmacy, and my addictionologist is monitoring my drug levels at every visit. It's never been an issue, as long as you take the medication for a valid reason.

I think it depends on the state. As I remember a nurse sued in Indiana because the monitoring program required she stop buprenorphine which she was using to treat opiate addiction. https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-secures-settlement-agreement-indiana-state-nursing-board-addressing

I don't know if that will follow to the rest of the US or not. I've read nurses saying they couldn't take benadryl or eat anything with poppy seeds. It would be interesting if others in monitoring programs throughout the country now have the option to use controlled substances with a prescription.

I see these programs as an over reach in a lot of cases, especially when they throw in people with mental health disorders who haven't had a drug or alcohol problem but don't know what to do with them and then they find themself being drug tested. Then there is the financial incentive to put people in the programs and keep them in for years. It is a cash cow!

When nurses are dealing with record burnout, twice the suicide rate of the general population and then are forced into these draconian programs that could literally bankrupt them and some have mentioned they ended up homeless, I am skeptical of these monitoring programs.

Someone here recently mentioned they reached out naively due to mental health issues and found themselves in a monitoring program or in Texas anyone can refer someone to a monitoring program. I read the nurse whose employer sent her to one for not getting over her PTSD soon enough to suit them after a psych patient violent attacked her! Sad and disgusting! What a rotten employer!

Healer555 · Mar 29

PaddedCellLPN said:

I take a controlled substance, and in a monitoring program. It wasn't my DOC, and I've been prescribed it for 10 years. The BON and my program just needs updated verification from my pharmacy, and my addictionologist is monitoring my drug levels at every visit. It's never been an issue, as long as you take the medication for a valid reason.

In my atate, They usually approve controlled substances for ADHD NOT anxiety in my state despite a valid diagnosis ie no benzodiazepines no Ambien, etc, no Neurontin. Short term opiates for pain once approved are OK. I