HELP new LPN positive drug test

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

I really need some advice. I just graduated and passed my boards to become an LPN. I got a job at our local hospital and have been doing orientation for a month. I was called into the nurse managers office yesterday morning because my drug screen showed up positive for benzos. My contract was terminated and I was sent home immediately. I am crushed I used to have a prescription for Clonipine and at a party a month ago I took I took what I thought was Tylenol from someone but it turned out to be Valium. I received two negative random drug tests during school last year and I don't use. It was one mistake that is ruining my life.

I need some advice on getting another job. The drug testing is no problem but I have no work experience except at the hospital. Do I put that on my resume? Do I tell the truth in and interview? Will it show up on my background test? How can I get another job? What if they call my former employer? HELP I don't know what to do????

^^ I agree, as if people with valium are giving it to people at parities. C'mon now. And as an LVN the poster should know the difference in how they look. Funny story though fake as hell.

I believe your story to be fabricated, which in and of itself is sad. Bezo's can be explained, but your stoopidity can not. Taking a medication from someone without knowing what it is? Are you a drug addict? Self medicator? I for one am happy if you no longer have a license. You would not be a good asset for the field of nursing. Try Rehab, to check in that is, not to work!

Holy crap dude wether his story was frabricated or not your response was ignorant. Even if he took the benzo on purpose itdoesnt make him a bad nurse or a bad person. Granted its allways a bad choice to mix benzos and alcohol. he wasnt under the influence at work and risking lives why are you glad he doesnt have a license?

lol. Harshness and judgementalism is unnecessary.

Your prescription benzo's you have every right to have in your system.

Your "non" prescription benzo probably would have cleared in a matter of days... presuming that was the only time you took them.

Also they didnt ask what medications you were taking before doing the test? If they havent called asking what prescriptions you have, it means you are probably okay so far. Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrum analysis are the next tests... And those are the "ultimate" in telling what is what.

That comes with a "however." However, while we find solace in computer readouts that tell us "the answer" it isnt infallable.

CONSULT AN ATTORNEY. The facility may or may not report you, it does depend on the facility and probably the state guidelines.

GET AN ATTORNEY should be the standard advice if you ever have to go before the board.

Also, Im not going to judge you. It seems nurses love to judge other nurses, even though all through nursing school we are told to be non-judgemental.

Best of luck,

The Greebler

oh that's classic internet....

Well if we thought as nurses we could not bring the dead back to life, I guess now we know we can!

Specializes in Geriatrics, Mental Health, Community.

wow, that was a really harsh comment to make to a person you have never met & don't know anything about except for what she posted. If you have nothing CONSTRUCTIVE to say...keep it to yourself. If you KNEW for a fact that she was a pill popper or was an addict of some sort then maybe your comments would be legit...but they are not. She is just asking for assistance. Leave your nastiness to yourself. What is up with people and they uncontrollable urge to be jerks??

If star707 is indeed telling the truth then I hope all has worked out for you since that incident. BE CAREFUL what you put into your body...because at ANY TIME as a working nurse you can be summoned for a drug test. Because of the nature of our profession you need to be EXTRA strict about your partying habits...Don't take ANYTHING when you are under the influence of alcohol.

Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

FLhopeful86, you do realize the last posts on this thread were well over ayear ago in 2010, and the original post was from 2006 nearly 6 years ago, right?

Specializes in Geriatrics, Mental Health, Community.

I realize that now. Sorry.

Specializes in LTC, Rehab, CCU, Alzheimers, Med-Surg.

It does not make any sense that the blood test was negative but the urine test positive. Benzos stay in your system for 4-6 weeks after chronic use (1 year), or 3 days for one time uses according to LabCorp. Were you using the clonipine chronically? But still, it would have showed up in your blood test.

Specializes in LTC, Rehab, CCU, Alzheimers, Med-Surg.

"I believe your story to be fabricated, which in and of itself is sad. Bezo's can be explained, but your stoopidity can not. Taking a medication from someone without knowing what it is? Are you a drug addict? Self medicator? I for one am happy if you no longer have a license. You would not be a good asset for the field of nursing. Try Rehab, to check in that is, not to work!"

Saying something like this is extremely rude and judgemental. Grow up.



Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
It does not make any sense that the blood test was negative but the urine test positive. Benzos stay in your system for 4-6 weeks after chronic use (1 year), or 3 days for one time uses according to LabCorp. Were you using the clonipine chronically? But still, it would have showed up in your blood test.
The original poster shared this story back in 2006, so I seriously doubt that (s)he'll be coming around anytime soon to answer these questions.
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