I m in big trouble! I think I failed my drug screen

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Here's the scoop. I was told by another nurse that the facility I work in (I work agency) didn't do pre employent Urinalysis drug screens. Now, I m an occasional pot smoker(never before work. usually about 3x a month), I don't drink, I don't do any hard core drugs. SO anyway, to my surprise, when I went to the physical on Monday... they drew labs, xrays and did a Urinalysis. In about 2 hours I have to go in and get the update of the physical and test results... Guess what? I know they're gonna find thc in my urine. Now, I m not only looking at definitely not getting this job but I might even be turned in to the state boards. I m screwed. I didn't sleep at all last night. My wife's panicked and so am I. There's nothing I can do now. I don't consider myself an addict in any way shape of form. some people drink a couple beers, some do a couple puffs once in a while. Had I been smarter about it, i would have abstained from it.... but being gullible and stupid.. I didn't. God help me!I smoked the day before the test. lesson learned.

Specializes in Wound Care, LTC, Sub-Acute, Vents.
dont worry about it alex. when people get their beliefs off of a billboard, then it really doesnt matter that marijuana is much safer than alcohol. let them turn yellow while blindly believing what their government tells them. after all, if the government says it is ok, then it must be!

however, if a person decides that they will run stops signs because the law just "doesnt make sense" to them, then hardly should they judge others for making educated decisions of their own that contradict the law. one is no better than the other, unless you count the fact that running a stop sign could kill someone.:)

i agree with you bradley.

alex made a mistake and he knows it and obviously learned from it so it's all good. however, giving that lengthy post about following "all the rules" and being " mr./ms. perfect" then saying running a stop sign is ok because that law "does not make sense" to him/her is being hypocritical in my opinion. you have to practice what you preach.

maybe jeeper's post was for april fools? :D

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.
They cant tax it because anyone can grow it in their back yard. Only reason its not legal.

I am sure that i could grow tobacco if i tried (ok... not ME... i can kill a silk plant, but you get my point) but cigs are huge business. Bottom line is if someone could get a premade product taxes or not it would put a huge damper on the DIY types.

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Specializes in ICU.

I still don't understand why they took a urine specimen and did NOT test you for drugs. This makes no sense to me, and therefore really makes the whole post sound bogus.

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Specializes in Home Care, Primary care NP, QI, Nsg Adm.

*sniff sniff*

"I smell a troll...or at least a thread that is going to get "ethically and morally" way out of a control in a very short amount of time."

I'll keep it simple; after the story, and everyone has a story, the end result is accountability; be they negative or positive consequences.

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I still don't understand why they took a urine specimen and did NOT test you for drugs. This makes no sense to me, and therefore really makes the whole post sound bogus.

It doesn't sound bogus to me at all. A urinalysis is often done as part of a physical, and no drug screen is done. Also, usually when they do a drug screen you know it because they won't let you flush the toilet, etc. At least that is how it has been whenever I've had a preemployment drug screen.

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Specializes in ob/gyn med /surg.
I still don't understand why they took a urine specimen and did NOT test you for drugs. This makes no sense to me, and therefore really makes the whole post sound bogus.

amen to that. i'v been a nurse for a long time and have never had a job where they didn't do a drug screen. i agree mag.

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Specializes in ICU.

Oh well, you didn't get caught this time. Now, somewhere out there, we have a nurse who does illegal drugs being in charge of narcotics and the monitoring and assessment of patients. I don't care if everyone thinks I'm an old square not fitting into a round world. Illegal drugs are illegal drugs, and because they are, the people who use them are involved in criminal activity and are in the company of the criminal drug elements of our society--and you have access to narcotics. If pot were legal, it would be a whole 'nother issue. Then it would just be a matter of whether or not you were high at work.

I think you should stop: stop being a nurse, or stop using pot.

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Specializes in ob/gyn med /surg.
Oh well, you didn't get caught this time. Now, somewhere out there, we have a nurse who does illegal drugs being in charge of narcotics and the monitoring and assessment of patients. I don't care if everyone thinks I'm an old square not fitting into a round world. Illegal drugs are illegal drugs, and because they are, the people who use them are involved in criminal activity and are in the company of the criminal drug elements of our society--and you have access to narcotics. If pot were legal, it would be a whole 'nother issue. Then it would just be a matter of whether or not you were high at work.

I don't care if I sound stupid: If I knew your name and state, I'd report you to your BON. Nursing deserves better.

you don't sound stupid at all. i agree with you. i just wish i said it myself. you are right .

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Specializes in ICU, Tele.

That's what I'm saying too. Took some heat for it... but those are the rules.

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Specializes in LTC.

well....to be honest if you smoke pot why would you even bother applying for a nursing job? in healthcare we are always avail for any drug screen whether its random or preemployment ...thats nsg 101......EMPLOYMENT 101.....its illegal and everybody knows that. quit smoking pot and you might find a place that will hire you!

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Specializes in Psychiatric, Geriatric.

Your facility may just let it slide--I worked in a place some years ago that didn't place too much importance on THC, (in fact they didn't even bring it up if you were dirty for pot). They were more concerned aboout the scheduled narcotics and their abuse. That said I think that you shoul abstain from pot while working as a nurse. If something tragic did happen on the job and they took urines to limit THEIR liability, you would surely take the fall if you were indeed dirty. Good luck on this one...let us/me knpow what happens

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.
:lol2: Lovebug! You actually just made me snort my coke! ...that is, the drink kind of coke....

What is the old joke?

" I tried snorting coke once.....but the bubbles always made me sneeze."

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