So my license is going to be suspended for 12 months by the board for diversion. I self reported to my state’s alternative-to-discipline program but I’m getting disciplined anyway. I can apply to have it reinstated at 12 months and the requirements are basically the same as my monitoring program.
I feel like I’ll never get another nursing job after all of this. I’ve been out of work for four months and have not even been able to find work anywhere yet (applying anywhere and everywhere including grocery stores/gas stations/etc. it’s so hard not getting really depressed over this.
I’ve been under monitoring since 9/14 so not long. I’m still in outpatient treatment once a week. I just really want to work. I can’t seem to forgive myself for this horrible mistake I’ve made.
I know this is a late post. I tested positive for THC on a pre employment. I failed my first test for alcohol because I had no idea I would be tested for that. I was deemed a cannabis abuse user. initially after my pre employment positive, they had me test again and then less than two weeks later again. To see if my levels were low enough to monitor or not to monitor. I was put on monitoring.
With that said, it was super bowl weekend and my first test was on Monday. I went over and had it done early that day. I had no idea that alcohol was on the list. That was my first ding. I also do adventure races, running 10-12 miles a week. I had a hard time with my urine being too light, even after drinking just one big glass of water prior to the test. It just went right through me. My other issue was my therapist, ( I have been seeing him 2013) he was notorious for late reports, even with a month notice and then reminders through the month. I jumped a few jobs due to a new single mom status and with Covid and mangers hard to tie down, I had a few more late reports. My CM was emailing with me all along. I would forward my communication with managers, doctors, therapist to show my effort. She would always say, this isn't your fault. However, I am now suspended for non compliance for three months.
I have been nothing but compliant, I basically tell my CM every move I make. This just seems over the top. My prescription drug report shows zero drugs, up until I started with PAS and had to use Ambien to sleep. Prior to that CBD worked just fine. I'm a mom of three boys, have zero criminal history, no DUIs, not even a tardy write up on my files for nursing. I'm so stressed and feel like I'm innocent on death row. Anyone have any suggestions? This is just not fair. I've been a nurse for 12 years and have given nothing but my all and my best.
I know this is a late post. I tested positive for THC on a pre employment in 9/2020. I was deemed a cannabis abuser by PAS. However, initially after my pre employment positive, PAS had me test again and then less than two weeks later again. To see if my levels were low enough to monitor or not to monitor. I was put on monitoring. I wasn't sure how fair this was, why couldn't we just wait the full 30 days to be clean?
With that said, I signed the contract with PAS and it was super bowl weekend when my first test popped up, Monday after the super bowl. I went over and had it done early that day. I had no idea that alcohol was on the list. That was my first ding.
I am also extremely athletic, my prior career with a BS from CSU in Health and Exercise Science. I not only was a trainer and fitness instructor but I competed in Fitness and Figure for many years. I recently have dabbled in adventure races, running 10-12 miles a week prior to. Needless to say, I had a hard time with my urine being too light, even after drinking just one big glass of water prior to the test. It just went right through me. And on the other end of the spectrum I couldn't pee if my bladder wasn't full. I asked repeatedly if I could sit and wait for an hour if I thought it was too light for a test. Or go back immediately the next morning.
My other issue was my therapist, ( I have been seeing him 2013) he was notorious for late reports, even with a month notice and then reminders through the month from both me and my CM.
I had jumped a few jobs due to being a new single mom and with Covid and mangers hard to tie down, I had a few more late reports. My CM was emailing with me all along. I would forward my communication with managers, doctors, therapist to show my effort. She would always say, this isn't your fault. However, I am now suspended for non compliance for three months.
I have been nothing but compliant, I basically tell my CM every move I make. This just seems over the top. My prescription drug report shows zero drugs, up until I started with PAS and had to use Ambien to sleep. Prior to that CBD worked just fine. I'm a mom of three boys, have zero criminal history, no DUIs, not even a tardy write up on my files for nursing. I'm so stressed and feel like I'm innocent on death row. Anyone have any suggestions? This is just not fair. I've been a nurse for 12 years and have given nothing but my all and my best.
I know this is a late post. I tested positive for THC on a pre employment in 9/2020. I was deemed a cannabis abuser by PAS. However, initially after my pre employment positive, PAS had me test again and then less than two weeks later again. To see if my levels were low enough to monitor or not to monitor. I was put on monitoring. I wasn't sure how fair this was, why couldn't we just wait the full 30 days to be clean?
With that said, I signed the contract with PAS and it was super bowl weekend when my first test popped up, Monday after the super bowl. I went over and had it done early that day. I had no idea that alcohol was on the list. That was my first ding.
I am also extremely athletic, my prior career with a BS from CSU in Health and Exercise Science. I not only was a trainer and fitness instructor but I competed in Fitness and Figure for many years. I recently have dabbled in adventure races, running 10-12 miles a week prior to. Needless to say, I had a hard time with my urine being too light, even after drinking just one big glass of water prior to the test. It just went right through me. And on the other end of the spectrum I couldn't pee if my bladder wasn't full. I asked repeatedly if I could sit and wait for an hour if I thought it was too light for a test. Or go back immediately the next morning.
My other issue was my therapist, ( I have been seeing him 2013) he was notorious for late reports, even with a month notice and then reminders through the month from both me and my CM.
I had jumped a few jobs due to being a new single mom and with Covid and mangers hard to tie down, I had a few more late reports. My CM was emailing with me all along. I would forward my communication with managers, doctors, therapist to show my effort. She would always say, this isn't your fault. However, I am now suspended for non compliance for three months.
I have been nothing but compliant, I basically tell my CM every move I make. This just seems over the top. My prescription drug report shows zero drugs, up until I started with PAS and had to use Ambien to sleep. Prior to that CBD worked just fine. I'm a mom of three boys, have zero criminal history, no DUIs, not even a tardy write up on my files for nursing. I'm so stressed and feel like I'm innocent on death row. Anyone have any suggestions? This is just not fair. I've been a nurse for 12 years and have given nothing but my all and my best.
Thanks in advance.
I'm so sorry you are going through this. It's awful, humiliating, and frustrating.
First of all-
Did you sign a monitoring contract? I'm going to assume you did. In your contract, does it state you are to abstain from all mood-altering substances, including alcohol, for the length of the contract? If so, then you were not "nothing but compliant" if you tested positive for alcohol. It is VERY common to be tested right after major holidays and events (including the Super Bowl). I am not shaming you, I in fact have no issues with alcohol or marijuana, but I am not allowed either under monitoring either.
How did you find out about your suspension? I am assuming you got a letter from the board. Did your CM ever warn you? Just curious, I do not think she has to do that. Did the board have you sign a suspension contract?
I do not know you but I am sure you are a great nurse and a good person. Unfortunately the board and monitoring programs do not care about the reasons behind failed drug tests, late reports, and dilute urine. They are punitive and see everything in black and white.
What are your options? I am not sure because I do not know the details surrounding your suspension- it all depends on if you already signed a suspension contract. You could consult a lawyer about everything and see if there is anything you can do. You have two other options as I see it- wait out the suspension, re-enter monitoring, and comply 100% with everything your contract states. I know there are ways to make sure your urine is more concentrated including eating lots of protein and not drinking too much water. Your other option is to get out of nursing all together and find something new. This is not easy- nothing pays as good as nursing if you only have a specialized RN degree and job history. I myself have been working with kids with autism for the past year making a little over half my RN salary. I decided my license was worth most of the hoops, but then again I knew I had a drug problem.
What was the point of your response? The BON doesn't give any of us normal people a choice. The real issue is mental health and they could KARE less about that
every nurse I know and ones that I've met are burnt out from the continuous ***
What was the point of your response? The BON doesn't give any of us normal people a choice. The real issue is mental health and they could KARE less about that
every nurse I know and ones that I've met are burnt out from the continuous ***
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
On 12/2/2020 at 10:12 AM, SNB1014 said:
I never knew SSDI was an option! Thank you so much for clearing this up. I’m in Texas and will be looking into this
It's not SSDI but rather SDI if your state has that and you must have a mental health diagnosis to get it. When I was in the program in California I got SDI for Major Depressive Disorder. I had tried to commit suicide and certainly qualified.
I never knew SSDI was an option! Thank you so much for clearing this up. I’m in Texas and will be looking into this
Also for employment, self register with NHA to take the Certified Medical Assistant exam to work at Doctors offices/urgent care. It’s what you already know and the pay is not RN pay but close enough to LVN pay (if you know how to sell yourself)
Hang in there, this too shall pass!
mdesrey
5 Posts
I know this is a late post. I tested positive for THC on a pre employment. I failed my first test for alcohol because I had no idea I would be tested for that. I was deemed a cannabis abuse user. initially after my pre employment positive, they had me test again and then less than two weeks later again. To see if my levels were low enough to monitor or not to monitor. I was put on monitoring.
With that said, it was super bowl weekend and my first test was on Monday. I went over and had it done early that day. I had no idea that alcohol was on the list. That was my first ding. I also do adventure races, running 10-12 miles a week. I had a hard time with my urine being too light, even after drinking just one big glass of water prior to the test. It just went right through me. My other issue was my therapist, ( I have been seeing him 2013) he was notorious for late reports, even with a month notice and then reminders through the month. I jumped a few jobs due to a new single mom status and with Covid and mangers hard to tie down, I had a few more late reports. My CM was emailing with me all along. I would forward my communication with managers, doctors, therapist to show my effort. She would always say, this isn't your fault. However, I am now suspended for non compliance for three months.
I have been nothing but compliant, I basically tell my CM every move I make. This just seems over the top. My prescription drug report shows zero drugs, up until I started with PAS and had to use Ambien to sleep. Prior to that CBD worked just fine. I'm a mom of three boys, have zero criminal history, no DUIs, not even a tardy write up on my files for nursing. I'm so stressed and feel like I'm innocent on death row. Anyone have any suggestions? This is just not fair. I've been a nurse for 12 years and have given nothing but my all and my best.
Thanks in advance.