Initial Drug Test

[Damiapa]

Hello,

I have a question, I'm finishing up nursing school and I was drug testing for a possible position but I failed for THC, I had not smoked for 6 months and didn't think I would come out positive but unfortunately I did, it was for 30nanograms and the test limit is 15, not like it matters, but my question is, is this drug test going to get back to my school and the Board of Registered Nursing? I'm in California, what are my options? Is this going to mark the rest of my career?

[BeachsideRN, ASN]

6 months? And still in your system? That doesn't seem right at all, unless you were a really, really heavy user. Do you take any meds that may cross react? I think protonix, aciphex and some of the PPIs can cause testing errors. Just a thought.

[Damiapa]

Nope, nothing I was very surprised when I came out positive, there is nothing I can do about the result, I'm just worried about what that hospital is going to do with those results, idk if it'll get back to my school or right to the BRN, I haven't even graduated yet, I feel hopeless and disappointed in myself, I don't want this to finish me before I even get a chance to begin

[needlesmcgeeRN, ASN, RN]

So, you smoked DURING nursing school...?

[Damiapa]

During summer break yes, again that isn't my question but thanks for the judgement

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

Was this a hair follicle test? Otherwise, if you really hadn't smoked in 6 months, there must have been a mistake. No urine screen is capable of detecting THC going back 6 months. I'd protest this screen and ask for another one immediately!

[Damiapa]

Nope, and I did ask for a retest and they said they can only retest the same sample and I would have to pay $50, but before I knew this I payed $50 to retest myself and I was clean, so it's ******** (pardon my French) I don't have another $50 for I had to do it before 5 days and this was on Monday and I won't get $ till the 3rd so I'm stuck

[Wile E Coyote, ASN, RN]

Not having $50 readily available for the retest to avoid halting a career that could span the rest of your life that you spent years preparing for should not be an obstacle at all. Borrow some cash, pawn something, sell something, etc. Being short a few $ is hardly a blip on the "big chart of life's obstacles".

[Damiapa]

They will retest the original sample, not a new test, and like I said I had already spent $50 to retest myself but they won't take that so either way it might be the same result and I don't have family here I don't have anyone to lend me money, and an update I called the HR for this hospital and they told me I will not be reported to the BRN due to me not being licensed yet so I just can't reapply with them for 180 days, so I'll be fine I have offers from other hospitals I'll retest myself when I can and once I get a few negatives I'll be ready to restart, so thank you all for your advice and judgement I'll definitely never let myself be in this situation again I'll leave this up for anyone else who needs answers

[needlesmcgeeRN, ASN, RN]

I think MY judgement is fine...the question here is YOUR judgement. I assume you worked your butt off to get through nursing school like the rest of us, and hopefully pass NCLEX. Why would you risk all of your hard work?

I have no issues with people smoking weed. However, it IS against the law.

[Dogen]

I think MY judgement is fine...the question here is YOUR judgement. I assume you worked your butt off to get through nursing school like the rest of us, and hopefully pass NCLEX. Why would you risk all of your hard work?

I believe this is what you call kicking someone when they're down.

[LeChien, BSN, RN]

If you're doing that on your break from school, you'll be doing it on your days off from work, and this would likely happen in the future. I would steer clear of anything illegal.