Just took random drug test

Nurses Recovery

Published

Hello everyone.

I was working last Sunday and at the end of my shift the OA came up to me and asked me to walk with her. I asked her if I had done something wrong, she told me I was fine but she escorted me off the unit. She then told me that one of my patients family members stated that I looked like I was under the influence. She told me I had to submit to a urine and blood test immediately. I told I did not want to and she stated that I would be reported to the BON if I refused. Long story short, I was not inebriated but I smoke weed on my days off. It is now Thursday and I still haven't heard anything back. My manager called me before I was scheduled to work to tell me not to report to work until the situation is resolved. I fully expect the test to come back positive for THC. I am so scared and I do not know what to do. It feels like the end of the world. So what can I expect to happen next? Will it be easier to pursue another career than to go through TPAPN? I have researched the TPAPN process and it seems so humiliating. I don't know what to do. I know I need to admit I have a problem and I am almost there but not quite. Any advice, Please?

Specializes in Pediatrics.

Glad to see that you have taken the right path and are on your way back!

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These people that are on their high horses trying to shame you make me LAUGH. If they ever even CRACKED open a history book they'd realize marijuana was made illegal not because it was harmful, but because hemp was putting the big cotton industry out of business and the big wigs in big cotton had clout with the gov't and got the hemp plant banned. There is no scientific evidence behind it, it's all about $$$$. Think about it, cigarettes cause various diseases and health problems as does alcohol. Yet those are legal. Yes, marijuana may alter your mind, but so does alcohol. The alcohol and tobacco industries have better lobbyists and provide the government tax money. Marijuana does not. Open your eyes people!!! I don't even smoke pot for crying out loud, but you should never just blindly accept something. I'm no conspiracy nut, but it doesn't take a half wit to realize our government is corrupt and greedy.

With that said. I'm sorry to hear about your ordeal, OP. I hope it all gets ironed out. I feel that if a person isn't coming to work under the influence they shouldn't be punished for it. I'm not a smoker, but I know I'd be pretty upset if I were told I couldn't have my couple glasses of wine on my days off. We work so hard as nurses, we should be able to relax.

Also, I want to add that as a nurse you are supposed to keep an open mind so that you can best relate to your patients and make them feel comfortable. Why can't we do this with fellow nurses?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Psychiatric.

Yes, I am reviving this thread but with good reason. Everything has come full circle and I am happy to announce that today I received the official word that I have finished TPAPN. I tried to log into Recoverytrek on Friday and received a message that I could not check in because my status was complete. I hadn't heard anything from my CM so I was going berserk thinking she sent my case back to the board. I had been late with some paperwork so I was scared. I had to wait the whole weekend and spoke with my CM this morning and she told me I had "graduated" and said "Merry Christmas." This journey has been amazing. I never thought I would see the end. I have learned so much and I am a different person than the person that wrote that first post back in September of 2010. I want to thank everyone who provided so much support throughout this time. I want anyone who is going through this process to know that you can do it. Never lose faith. Peace out!!

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Specializes in Impaired Nurse Advocate, CRNA, ER,.

THAT IS AN AWESOME CHRISTMAS PRESENT!!!!

Congratulations!

Jack

PS Pay it forward!

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congratulations!!!! it's an amazing feeling to finish TPAPN & regain your freedom, in light of all you have accomplished! now you can really enjoy the new & improved you!!!

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How are things going for you now?

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Congratulations

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Closing this thread as original post is no longer relevant and posts are getting off-topic after thread was revived.

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