As of Jan 1, 2011, the North Carolina board of nursing...
Issued this new policy for urine drug screens. Keep in mind, it is not the drug testing or even the observed collections. It is the manner in which the test is performed. Is this done in any other states? Once again, not the observed collections but the way ncbon is dictating the collection procedure. $50.00 to 76.00 that is a 52% increase.
Can you nurses give me all your feedback and how you feel about this procedure?
Is this procedure done in any other states?
What is your procedure, if any?
Can you nurses give me all your feedback and how you feel about this procedure?
Now, i wish i could upload all the forms that were sent to all nurses in the alternative program and the chemical dependency discipline program in north carolina.
Observed collection requirements...
Effective january 1, 2011, all specimens collections for the ncbon participants must be directly observed. Directly observed means that you must personally and directly watch the urine go from the participants body into the collection container.
A participant's failure to comply with these requirements will be consider a refusal to test.
1. The observer must be the same gender as the ncbon participant. (the observer may be a different individual than the person serving as the specimen collector.
2. The observer must enter the restroom or facility where the urination occurs.
3. The observer will instruct the participant to raise his or her shirt, blouse, or dress/skirt, as appropriate, above the waist, just above the navel: andlower clothing and underpants to mid-thigh and to show the observer, by turning around- that the participant is not in possession of a prosthetic or other devices designed to carry urine substitutes.
4. After the observer has determined that the participant does not have such a device, the observer may permit the participant to return clothing to its proper position and then conduct the observed collection.
5. The observer must personally and directly watch the urine pass from the participants body into the collection container.
6. Participants must adhere to all other procedures and guidelines for the chain of custody etc. As outlined in the enrollment packet from firstlab.
A girl from our peer was told at a collection site she had to do this because it was new guidelines. Since she found out that she misunderstood that DOT new guidelines were not for ALL observed tests. Just DOTs and anyone else who specified. She hasn't had to be observed THAT closely since.
I would imagine the people having to observe in this manner are probably somewhat horrified themselves. While they're at it, how about a TSA style patdown and x-ray? The whole thing is just so awful, I woke up and thought about you and your program peers at 2 a.m.
Thank you for your in put. One more thought, I bet the DOT employees are MOSTLY MEN. Please, do not misread me, I am accepting and surrendering, totally, to this new policy the NCBON has established. I will comply with dignity. Have any of you tried to this new procedure policy? IF you haven't, please try it the next time you use the bathroom. It is almost funny.
I know the observer is just doing there job and they will be professional. They do this daily, collect observed urine's,
that is not the issue.
I am simply talking about this issue, "just what I was instructed to do from my sponsor 3 1/2 yrs ago".
This was blogged on another nurse in recovery web site. I also posted the exact same thing there too and this is part of one response on the blog..
Sasto mentioned that recovery is about acceptance - but it is also about "SURRENDR" there is a whole section in the Big Book on the concept of surrender. It is not admitting to defeat but rather choosing not to fight so that you can concentrate on what you must do to survive.
I disagree with that part of that blog, what do you guys think???
This is part of by professional survival, or at least I thought it was.
Then this blogger wrote:
I read the section you cut and pasted and nowhere does it say you have to lower your pants to the floor. It says lower clothing and underpants to mid-thigh. If you are worried about pant legs touching the floor wear shorts. I really don't care of someone see's me naked - There's not much to get excited about but if they want to look I'll show them. I feel the same way about airport screenings.
I am going to respond like this...
I never said i had to lower my pants to the floor, but try holding a shirt up and lower your panties and pants mid-thigh, then turn a 360. I bet your pants will drop to the floor....YUK, YUK I really do not mind or care if anyone see's my 50 yrs saggy body either.
Thank you all for your opinions and feedback, Keep them coming.
We all have opinions about things unless you are an ANDROID.
I am smiling and laughing at some of the responses and sad about others, but i enjoy reading all of them!!!
Do not loss any sleep over this, because I am sleeping like a new born baby. But thanks for thinking about me and others, when you wake up. You are compassionate!!!
By any other name, this is a sexual assault. I just should not have to show my privates to anyone but health care providers or lovers. I am insulted. This is really gone too far. There are other ways to drug screen. We should have been given the choice to blood test or show our private areas. We are footing the bill any ways. Why should the board care about the price? This is indignant. I am humble, but enough is enough.
Thank you for your in put. One more thought, I bet the DOT employees are MOSTLY MEN. Please, do not misread me, I am accepting and surrendering, totally, to this new policy the NCBON has established. I will comply with dignity. Have any of you tried to this new procedure policy? IF you haven't, please try it the next time you use the bathroom. It is almost funny.
I know the observer is just doing there job and they will be professional. They do this daily, collect observed urine's,
that is not the issue.
I am simply talking about this issue, "just what I was instructed to do from my sponsor 3 1/2 yrs ago".
This was blogged on another nurse in recovery web site. I also posted the exact same thing there too and this is part of one response on the blog..
Sasto mentioned that recovery is about acceptance - but it is also about "SURRENDR" there is a whole section in the Big Book on the concept of surrender. It is not admitting to defeat but rather choosing not to fight so that you can concentrate on what you must do to survive.
I disagree with that part of that blog, what do you guys think???
This is part of by professional survival, or at least I thought it was.
Then this blogger wrote:
I read the section you cut and pasted and nowhere does it say you have to lower your pants to the floor. It says lower clothing and underpants to mid-thigh. If you are worried about pant legs touching the floor wear shorts. I really don't care of someone see's me naked - There's not much to get excited about but if they want to look I'll show them. I feel the same way about airport screenings.
I am going to respond like this...
I never said i had to lower my pants to the floor, but try holding a shirt up and lower your panties and pants mid-thigh, then turn a 360. I bet your pants will drop to the floor....YUK, YUK I really do not mind or care if anyone see's my 50 yrs saggy body either.
Thank you all for your opinions and feedback, Keep them coming.
We all have opinions about things unless you are an ANDROID.
I am smiling and laughing at some of the responses and sad about others, but i enjoy reading all of them!!!
Keep it simple and respond not react!!
Got2B:D
This is embarrassing to say the least. My first time I was expecting the 'take your outer pants and under pants down to your knees and hold your top up underneath your breast(kinda hard to hold your bottoms and top at same time) and do a 360'.
I was not expecting the observer having to lean down and watch the urine run from your body. The expense of the screens went up, and we have no one to turn to for help or guidance. Everyone makes mistakes and most do punish themselves far worse than anyone else could do.
Why is the board allowed to make up there own rules and regulations, without having to answer to any one. They do not have to follow The Constitution of The US. They treat us as they please, no sympathy, empathy and God forbid Mercy.
We need to do something about this. No one deserves to be treated the way they are allowed to treat people. Please take a look at how many people making these decisions have a medical background. I think you would be surprised.
Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.
One facility I worked in used what I call a "spit test" for drug screening; You put a piece of cotton in your mouth, under your tongue (it's like what the dentist uses) and when it's saturated you put it in a test-tube and cap it. This is what's sent to the lab to be analyzed. Seems like a much more civilized method, don't you think?
One facility I worked in used what I call a "spit test" for drug screening; You put a piece of cotton in your mouth, under your tongue (it's like what the dentist uses) and when it's saturated you put it in a test-tube and cap it. This is what's sent to the lab to be analyzed. Seems like a much more civilized method, don't you think?
Much more civilized! I hate just having to hand someone a cup of my warm urine. I'd go work in a sweat shop before I'd show any stranger my midsection while they watch me urinate!
wow!! that is very extreme. not even in the rehab center do they make you lift your shirt, turn around or stand on your head to prove that it is actually your urine in that specimen cup. i must agree with some of the other comments that is up to the individual state and their rules. you either suck it up or throw in the towel.
i am also in agreement that "we" who are involved in these programs should have some rights and that someone should be willing to help us "the nurses in recovery". we do need to speak up in certain instances and make our voices heard for fairness in our treatment as human beings. other people with diseases dont get this treatment. its only because we are nurses and held to some higher standard that all of these rules have been put into effect. protect the public is right and just but who does protect the nurses? obviously it is not our state boards and i really dont feel the recovery programs are much of an advocate either. just think "we" are to consider ourselves lucky to be in such programs.
Code55
31 Posts
Oh, I forgot to mention, the ultimate test method would be to individually straight cath us followed by a good dose of UTIs! &^*#)$)# #$%$#!
Enhanced screening methods for all of them....everyday!!!