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.
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?
Apparently immoral judgement and action is your thing. Or at least thinking about it.
Just so you know, if anyone miscounts controlled substances on our Pyxis, the entire floor gets drug tested. You can also be tested if there's any suspicion of drug use.
Are you SURE you're ready to give up pot? I'd make sure you're comfortable with THAT idea before you continue in nursing cause it's just a matter of time before you get caught.
So sorry you're going through this. I'm so glad I don't live in the states, up here (Canada) I've never had a drug test nor heard of anyone ever having one. It just seems like such a huge invasion of ones personal freedom and choices (not that I use any drugs or condone it at all, just an observation).
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?
You really, really REALLY don't want to get into a situation where you are attempting to pass off other people's urine. That is dishonest and unethical. And for every synthetic/other people's urine story, I could tell you a few dozen of those who got caught doing that, and have had their licenses revoked.
The choices we make are the choices we make. You just need to stay clean for awhile, (and remain clean as there is a chance that drug tests come up again in your employment) then try again. That is if the HR director is not mandated to report this to the BON. If so, then you could be looking at license stipulations and the like.
I would ask this oh so helpful HR person if she is mandated to report to the BON....then you will have your answer.
Every time I've taken a pre-employment urine test, it is in a cup that measures the temperature of the urine. so how does one get away with using other people's urine brought in?
I know countless nurses that smoke pot none of them have ever been busted let alone random tested, so your statement is demonstrably false.
Anecdotal evidence is anecdotal evidence. Do yourself a favor and read through your state's nursing board newletter and tell me how no one EVER gets busted for being impaired on the job.
Staff note - per our terms of service, to which everyone agrees to when they join, AN does not allow medical advice nor do we allow advocating for ways to pass a drug test. To this end, several posts have been deleted.
Oh trust me, the judging started from post one when you said you're a licensed nurse who enjoys the inhalation of illegal drugs. Your suggestions on how to "beat" the test and family advice to use someone elses urine stowed in condom has only compounded the judging....
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.
Oh trust me, the judging started from post one when you said you're a licensed nurse who enjoys the inhalation of illegal drugs. Your suggestions on how to "beat" the test and family advice to use someone elses urine stowed in condom has only compounded the judging....
I have often found myself scratching my head at the aversion to judging I find on allnurses.
Deciding a right or wrong to an action or a decision. Whatever you want to call it. Accusing a poster of being judgmental effectively cuts off any kind of opposition to whatever is being discussed.
If we had overheard one of our patients discussing, what the last 3 pages have been discussing, would we have been as sympathetic and helpful as we've been with this nurse?
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.
You did just tell a bunch of nurses you don't know, as well as anybody else reading this, that you were considering cheating on a drug test and that you would like to work in rehab. I think you can expect some critical responses.
As far as nobody knowing who you are? Well, if the hr manager who you dealt with is reading this, he/she certainly lol knows who you are.
Plenty of good nurses currently or formerly smoke weed.
Used to work in a drug testing lab. Because THC is stored in fat cells it can vary WIDELY from person to person when it comes to how long it takes the drug to leave your body. I am jumping on the "wait at least another month" bandwagon. I also think it's a great idea to go to an independent lab and have them test you before you let another prospective employer do it.
Specializes in Care Coordination, MDS, med-surg, Peds.
Sigh, well I have an interview next week with a rehab and behavioral facility...I'm afraid to take another test. Why would my home test give me a false reading? I don't want to be dishonest, but I don't want to be penalized for something I no longer partake in...my cousin has used a condom with urine to pass a test...
WOW... you gonna CHEAT to get a job..... have to question your character and integrity as a person and a nurse.
You guys are all so well educated about pot, honestly I am impressed.
I was at a concert and could small pot in the air. I wondered if someone could say.....oh my test came up positive....I don't smoke....but I was at a party or concert last night....people next to me were smoking?
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Safety Coach RN
103 Posts
Apparently immoral judgement and action is your thing. Or at least thinking about it.
Just so you know, if anyone miscounts controlled substances on our Pyxis, the entire floor gets drug tested. You can also be tested if there's any suspicion of drug use.
Are you SURE you're ready to give up pot?
I'd make sure you're comfortable with THAT idea before you continue in nursing cause it's just a matter of time before you get caught.