I started nursing in 2010. In 2011 I took a break to explore other career options (I was still 20 at the time). I recently decided that nursing is what I want to continue doing, so I started brushing up on skills, called my old school to get some skill practice, case studies, the whole 9 yards to where I felt comfortable again. I was offered a position with a home health agency. Now during my time off, I became a heavy marijuana smoker :/ upon applying for different positions, I quit smoking which wasn't that hard, and have been smoke free for about a month. I took a home test, came up negative, so I thought I was in the clear. During orientation, they hit us with the drug screen (which I expected). The human resource manager pulls me out of orientation, takes me to her office to deliver the news of my failed drug test... I was kind of shocked, but at the same time I took complete responsibility for it, no matter how embarrassing it was. She even gave me pointers about cleansing systems, home drug test :/ etc. So my questions now are, since I was not yet employed, are they going to report this to the state? And why did the home test give me a false reading? I feel so defeated, ashamed, and mostly disappointed in myself. Any comments are welcome, I can't feel anymore terrible than I already do, I'm just worried about what might happen. Is this on some secret record I don't know about? I'm kind of freaking out.
Thank you all for the advice. Yes the human resource manager was very helpful, going so far as saying you should have come to me about it before hand. I don't know what she could have done, but I wish there were more people like her in those positions, and I'm glad she didn't shun me for such a stupid mistake. @aja878 She pretty much told me her experience with drug testing, named off some cleansers, but I was so embarrassed I kind if just wanted to get the heck out of dodge. I wish I could wait longer, but I really need employment asap. Immoral judgment and action aren't my thing, and I shouldn't even bring that to discussion, but the situation is dire...have you heard of nurses passing with synthetic or someone else's urine?
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
Is that something I'm informed of? Or do I find out by applying somewhere else when it shows up on my "secret file" is there a secret file?
Hospital's and other healthcare provider's are not mandated by law to report you. However most will as a form of risk management to show that they are compling with any rules they have re: drug free workplaces. If they reported you to the BON you will be notified but the time it takes for a complaint to make it's way through the system can vary from state to state. In California it can take up to two years with an average of about 18 months. In a less populated state say like Montana the wheels may move much faster.
AS for your home test - Did you buy it at a drug store? it may have been on the shelf for some time. It may have a different level of sensitivity than the labs hospital's use.
I tend to believe your story as you do state that you were a marijuana smoker and took responsibility for the positive test. What I would do is wait another couple of weeks and get a test from your PCP that tests for levels not just presence. Have you asked the person who was orienting you what was next. The way you described it seemed to indicate they might be willing to retest you at a later time. You can get a hair follical test which will actually determine the time frame for past use but they are expensive.
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
Wow. So these stipulations are something future employers see? Is there a time length for when they contact you if you've been reported?
Again every state is different - In California if you participate in the alternative Diversion program your record is wiped clean once you finish - while in the program you do have to find an employer who will work with your restrictions. It's my understanding that Ohio is one of the tougher states.
There is no substance (evidence based) that will remove THC or its metabolites from your system except time. THC has an affinity for fat and is removed very slowly.
The longest a urinalysis will show + results for THC depends upon frequency of use. A light smoker will show results out to 20-35 days, a daily user from 49-63 days. Hair analysis can go much farther.
As for reporting to the police, no, that won't happen and even if it did they won't do anything because it's just too complex and would anyone hassle someone who has been drug free for 30 days?
If it is reported to anyone depends upon several factors. Some states guarantee, by law, total privacy, for instance Alaska, Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Minnesota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Washington. Other states do not, and some do require that results are reported to Department of Employment and will result in revocation of unemployment benefits.
Some results must be shared, if, for instance you are a trucker and subject to DOT testing, and this will result in revocation of a license.
But generally, no, it will not be reported to anyone. I have tested for many companies, and to my knowledge nobody but the MRO (Medical Review Officer) ever knew the results, and remember, should a sample fail for any reason (inability to urinate), medication that confounds testing which requires another test which you refuse, or any other reason will result in HR generally receiving a fail,†without explanation. Though some places, especially hospitals seem to share (sometimes rather stupidly as HR folk have no right to see actual results, simply a pass or fail) results so one never really knows.
Regardless of your POV on cannabis it will be wise to give it up, period, even if you are in a ok for recreation†state. Should you decide to do that you'll test clean in another month.
As for reporting to the police, no, that won't happen and even if it did they won't do anything because it's just too complex and would anyone hassle someone who has been drug free for 30 days?
The OP asked about reporting to the state, not the police. Meaning the BON. It is a possibility. I am in the Kansas monitoring program and there are a handful of folks who ended up there because of failed pre-employment drug screenings. Two for positive THC in particular. Monitoring program is a pickle that you don't want to end up in, obviously.
And the more possibly-dirty UAs the OP drops at potential places of employment, the more likely s/he is to finally run into a place that will report to the BON.
I'm going to do this the right way. I've been able to come to an agreement with a family member, and he's going to let me stay with him until I can get on my feet. I've been a little unstable as far as living goes for a few months, so that job was imperative to my survival. I'm going to contact my potential employer tomorrow for the interview I have next week to possibly postpone, but I don't really know what to say or if they'll go for it. This is definitely a life lesson to remember, I've never been in trouble, but this is as close as I want to come to it. I'll do some volunteer work in the meantime, stay away from that life destroying drug and focus on bettering myself :) I can do this! I'm a nurse and need to present myself as the health advocate I chose to be. @lovinglife2015 I agree, I do need to detox. I'm done with the drug. When I chose to come back into this field, I chose to quit the drug entirely. It was fun, but it's not conducive to my growth as a nurse, and not fair to future patients, they deserve me at my best. I'm going to take this time and volunteer at my moms independent living facility. I held a few workshops their in the past in regard to breast cancer awareness, diabetes and other important clinical data, and they always want to know if I'll be back.
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Neither charcoal nor niacin can remove drug metabolites stored in fat, neither can dialysis. Only time. Several months of heavy smoking = several months to clear from your system for lab tests. Getting caught with synthetic urine(they can tell) or someone else's urine will likely = expedited license revocation and mandated program
Thank you all for the advice. Yes the human resource manager was very helpful, going so far as saying you should have come to me about it before hand. I don't know what she could have done, but I wish there were more people like her in those positions, and I'm glad she didn't shun me for such a stupid mistake. @aja878 She pretty much told me her experience with drug testing, named off some cleansers, but I was so embarrassed I kind if just wanted to get the heck out of dodge. I wish I could wait longer, but I really need employment asap. Immoral judgment and action aren't my thing, and I shouldn't even bring that to discussion, but the situation is dire...have you heard of nurses passing with synthetic or someone else's urine?
Immoral judgment and action aren't my thing, and I shouldn't even bring that to discussion, but the situation is dire...have you heard of nurses passing with synthetic or someone else's urine?
This last line troubles me. The fact you would even think about it... we are supposed to be an ethical profession. Furthermore, the fact you would say this... written... you don't think employers can figure our who's who? You give enough information, that if I had your resume in front of me I could put 2 and 2 together.
Postpone the interview would be my suggestion. If they say no, then move on. Every action has consequences, maybe next time you will think before you smoke pot and heaven forbid you do it once you have a job.
Uneasy as it makes you feel, it's something I contemplated. Life is full of situations fueled by moral decisions. But as stated in my last post, I'm going to detox it out the right way, with time. What makes me uneasy is having to reiterate myself to nurses that should pay attention to detail, since it's what we do for a living. Everything about what you chose to pick out of my response has already been retracted with a morally correct answer. Please read everything before making a comment of such judgmental proportions. Sheesh
I understand we are supposed to be ethical, but this is also a community where ideas and thoughts are shed. This kind of talk is taboo for sure, but that doesn't mean it won't be talked about. I came here to seek advice from NY fellow nurses and appreciate the responses, it has helped shape my future course of action. I don't have concrete information on here that would let an employer find out who I am, if I did I wouldn't even have talked about it. The only thing you know is that is says I'm from Dayton, which I no longer reside in lol Thanks for your concern though.
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
Thank you all for the advice. Yes the human resource manager was very helpful, going so far as saying you should have come to me about it before hand. I don't know what she could have done, but I wish there were more people like her in those positions, and I'm glad she didn't shun me for such a stupid mistake. @aja878 She pretty much told me her experience with drug testing, named off some cleansers, but I was so embarrassed I kind if just wanted to get the heck out of dodge. I wish I could wait longer, but I really need employment asap. Immoral judgment and action aren't my thing, and I shouldn't even bring that to discussion, but the situation is dire...have you heard of nurses passing with synthetic or someone else's urine?
Don't even think about it - We had an employee (not a nurse) whose urine test came back "Not human" We were not told what species it was or if it was synthetic but most screens will catch it. If you try to use someone else's urine and get caught you really will be up **** creek without a paddle. Why not go to your PCP and get a confidential screen. By your own admission you were using heavily before quitting. If your PCP says you are clean go for the behavioral position. Just remember that if you are reported to the BON you will most likely be required to do in-patient or out patient treatment, NA meetings and may not be allowed to work for a year or more - so if you have any funds in the bank hang on to them.
Just be honest and use the resorces at your disposal - if you don't have insurance which is actually against the law now go to an urgent care clinic and pay cash for it.
PS Behavioral Facilities will usually work with nurses who have restrictions. While you will not be alllowed to do nursing they may find a poisition for you and work with you.
Juankiters08
13 Posts
Thank you all for the advice. Yes the human resource manager was very helpful, going so far as saying you should have come to me about it before hand. I don't know what she could have done, but I wish there were more people like her in those positions, and I'm glad she didn't shun me for such a stupid mistake. @aja878 She pretty much told me her experience with drug testing, named off some cleansers, but I was so embarrassed I kind if just wanted to get the heck out of dodge. I wish I could wait longer, but I really need employment asap. Immoral judgment and action aren't my thing, and I shouldn't even bring that to discussion, but the situation is dire...have you heard of nurses passing with synthetic or someone else's urine?