IPN hair test

Published

Florida IPN nurses:

how many of you have or have not been hair tested?
if so how much was it and how often

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Specializes in OR.

No hair tests here, but they did tack on the blood testing back when. If you were around back about 2 years ago, they changed the rules (yeah, shocking I know) to thier benefit by claiming that ‘we may notice an increase in testing as it is a valuable tool for our recovery.’ Yeah, okay...as I roll my eyes out loud. Those ultra expensive ($109 a pop) are for alcohol and they hit me about once every 3 months in addition to the regular twice monthly pee. Completely asinine. Personally, I think it was thier profit margin that it benefited. Certainly was not me. I wasn’t even in for alcohol or substance abuse.

The only hair test they did was back at the original evaluation and it was negative. Ironically never in my entire history (including the event that precipitated me being there) was there a positive drug test for anything that was not legit. I was mental health but since their ‘approved evaluators’ are all complete tools that like to slap everyone with some kind of diagnosis that justifies in or outpatient treatment....There I was...5+ long years of being treated like I had a disease that I dI’d not, while thier ‘recomm-andanted ‘treatment’ ignored my real needs. Psych treatment is not profitable for them....

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Since I started in April 2018 they hair test me every three months like clockwork.

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On 11/7/2019 at 4:28 PM, svetlana36 said:

Since I started in April 2018 they hair test me every three months like clockwork.

Excuse my language but HOLY SH*T that is so expensive on top of everything else!!! Ugh I’m so sorry. Do you mind me asking your DOC or reason for being in the program? I started 7/5/19 and have had 2-3 urines a month and 3 freaking blood tests already. No hair yet expect on my evaluation. Do you remember how soon after signing your contract your first hair test was?

This is all so expensive it’s insane. Between drug tests, support groups, Vivitrol shot apts (I have to get even though I still have the narc restriction) I’m drowning.

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On 11/7/2019 at 7:47 AM, catsmeow1972 said:

No hair tests here, but they did tack on the blood testing back when. If you were around back about 2 years ago, they changed the rules (yeah, shocking I know) to thier benefit by claiming that ‘we may notice an increase in testing as it is a valuable tool for our recovery.’ Yeah, okay...as I roll my eyes out loud. Those ultra expensive ($109 a pop) are for alcohol and they hit me about once every 3 months in addition to the regular twice monthly pee. Completely asinine. Personally, I think it was thier profit margin that it benefited. Certainly was not me. I wasn’t even in for alcohol or substance abuse.

The only hair test they did was back at the original evaluation and it was negative. Ironically never in my entire history (including the event that precipitated me being there) was there a positive drug test for anything that was not legit. I was mental health but since their ‘approved evaluators’ are all complete tools that like to slap everyone with some kind of diagnosis that justifies in or outpatient treatment....There I was...5+ long years of being treated like I had a disease that I dI’d not, while thier ‘recomm-andanted ‘treatment’ ignored my real needs. Psych treatment is not profitable for them....

Wow I am so so sorry I give you MAJOR props for sticking through this journey of hell. 5 years is INSANE for mental health they should be trying to help you not stress you to death.
The reason I’m in is necessary. I was diverting. It was bound to happen eventually. The money and appointments is KILLING me though. Between drug tests, Vivitrol Apts, psych appointments, nursing groups, meetings, the MONEY I am beyond stressed

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There is no reason I’ve been sober six years this August, but my nursing license is newly active. I know people with the same DOC who have had no hair tests in the same time frame. Just a money grab from IPN because they can do as they please...

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And sorry I think my first hair test was less than three months after signing... no dilutes or abnormals for me either...

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Specializes in OR.
9 hours ago, svetlana36 said:

There is no reason I’ve been sober six years this August, but my nursing license is newly active. I know people with the same DOC who have had no hair tests in the same time frame. Just a money grab from IPN because they can do as they please...

Money grab is a pretty accurate way to put it. For part of the time I was under contract and frankly could not have worked in nursing even if I could have found a job, I actually drew SSDI. I finally was able to go back to work by the time the hearing rolled around but they awarded me a lump sum of back pay. I provided the contract to the judge and even he and their vocational expert agreed that IPN contributed to my inability to work.
Since that hearing, I would up with what could be described as 2 more ‘failed work attempts,” (which failed mostly because the jobs that IPN would approve were either dangerous as hell or in an area that I am wholly unqualified for. I am currently awaiting a hearing (slated for January) to determine if they will award me for the time period between losing the last job and starting my current one.

Since I’ve been at the current one and the dumb contract has expired, I have been doing swimmingly. All is well, stress is lower and I’ve even been able to wean off some of the psych meds. I’m now charging and life is good.

So what did all that stupid, money wasting testing and crap do for me? Not a damn thing besides make my life hell.

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And today I’ve been selected for my 8th hair test! This is getting ridiculous....

2
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Dang! You gonna be bald and broke! Praying for you!

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2 hours ago, mississippiRN71 said:

Dang! You gonna be bald and broke! Praying for you!

I’ve got a ton of hair but even still I have weird tufts that stick out because of all these tests. And I’m getting married in February. I’m embarrassed to get my hair done/styled and have to explain all these missing chunks. It’s humiliating....

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Specializes in ICU.

What does the hair test, test for?

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