I failed my preemployment drug test :/ what now...?

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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.

Specializes in Behavioral Health.
This really happens?? For every time someone miscounts?? Does your floor get drug tested a lot?

Every couple of weeks or so. :geek:

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.[/quote

What do you expect? Obviously it hadn't been long enough off weed! They won't report from what I know! You weren't employed by them! We s ll make mistakes but remembet we are Nurses!!! Good luck!

Specializes in Med/surg, Onc.

My employer skips blood and urine and takes hair samples from all new employees. It's shows three months worth of information.

Specializes in Care Coordination, MDS, med-surg, Peds.

and unfortunately, even though you are not employed, they CAN and WILL most likely report to the BON that you failed the drug test. Be aware that BONs may not notify you for several weeks to a month or more, that you have been reported. THEN they may take a year or so to make a determination.

I'm thinking the best thing for me to do now is going back to school to receive my RN.

Be aware that many nursing programs will drug test you.

I tested negative at home too. My agency said they are reporting me. Im kinda freaking out too. I just wonder how long it will take before the FL BON contacts me, and I cannot work. Contact me at anytime.

if you dont mind me asking what was the cutoff level for you test?

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