new job, can I be denied job for benzo PRN

FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2020

Are they actually asking you pre employment what medications you take/ have taken?

That would be inappropriate.

If you are taking a drug test, you need to let them know what meds you CURRENTLY take. If it has been a month, it's too long to count.

seeing123 · Jul 31, 2020

They are asking what meds I'm currently taking (including PRNs). They also ask for mental health diagnosed in the past so I'm already having to reveal that.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Jul 31, 2020

16 minutes ago, seeing123 said:
They are asking what meds I'm currently taking (including PRNs). They also ask for mental health diagnosed in the past so I'm already having to reveal that.

You do NOT have to reveal that. Against ADA regulations to even ask. You took ONE freaking benzo. Do not admit to the PRN prescription. This employer is looking to narrow down the field and will quickly do so if you admit to anxiety and a benzo prescription.

FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2020

You are not required to tell them your mental health history and it is not their business to know that.

They also have no way of finding out unless you tell them. Don't.

FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2020

You don't need to do anything about it unless and until you need to take a drug test. Then you provide them with your prescription, if you have taken it recently. If you haven't, then don't.

Editorial Team / Admin · Jul 31, 2020

Threads merged for continuity.

KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 31, 2020

A nurse (or APP, or physician, for this matter) can take whatever drugs necessary to support her/his health, including opioids, benzos, psychotropics and so forth, as long as there is a current provider prescription and the drug doesn't limit the full participation in job functions. Not employing a person basing only on the fact that this person takes a medically needed substance (which will be easy to figure out as the job offer rescinded right after preemployment physical) is against multiple laws intended to protect persons with diseases and disabilities. It is so in all 50 states and territories too.

There were multiple incidents when phtsicians were denied employment under similar circumstances. Docs are, as a majority, way more legally literate than nurses and the legal actions taken by them were mostly won.

The only one notable exclusion so far is medical marijuana but even this starts to change.

seeing123 · Jul 31, 2020

Thank you. So it shouldn't be an issue.

HiddencatBSN, BSN · Aug 1, 2020

IDK about Florida, but the ADHD meds I take show up as meth on drug screens. When I was in the hiring process recently the drug testing company simply called me and asked for the prescription information to verify I had a reason to have that result and that was that.

casa_bella, NP · Aug 2, 2020

I take a benzo on occasion for insomnia. I don’t see how any of your RX’d meds are any of their business.

ScarletPixie · Aug 2, 2020

You don’t need a letter. The prescription itself shows medical necessity. Of course the benzo will show up but the medical review officer will call you afterwards, ask if you are on any medications, the name of the pharmacy etc. You’ll give him the prescription number and he’ll call and verify that it’s a legal prescription and that’s all you have to do it’s really no big deal. The only way being on it could hurt you is if you took it and you were impaired at work. Good luck!

?Scarlet

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Aug 2, 2020

13 hours ago, ScarletPixie said:
You don’t need a letter. The prescription itself shows medical necessity. Of course the benzo will show up but the medical review officer will call you afterwards, ask if you are on any medications, the name of the pharmacy etc. You’ll give him the prescription number and he’ll call and verify that it’s a legal prescription and that’s all you have to do it’s really no big deal. The only way being on it could hurt you is if you took it and you were impaired at work. Good luck!
?Scarlet

Possible impairment is exactly what the employer is looking for. They do not care if you have a prescription. You could be impaired from a PRN benzo at anytime.