new nurse refuse drug test

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Jul 9, 2005

You need to be upfront about the drug before you would go for any physical or test. Refusing to do either makes it look like you've got something to hide.

newnurse52 · Jul 9, 2005

You need to be upfront about the drug before you would go for any physical or test. Refusing to do either makes it look like you've got something to hide.

Honesty is always best. Just for the record I did tell the employee health nurse that I was on a diet medication that has to be refilled every month after I weigh in, but that it had been over a week since I got a refill and it will probably show in my ua. She advised me not to take the ua and because of HIPPA regulations she said she could not discuss it with anyone. So I was honest and explained it to the nurse recruiter, not to HR. I made up a story to HR. My fear is even tho I have not done anything illegal, or used an illegal substance, or even had a neg ua, the nurse recruiter may feel obligated to involve IPN. If so it will just get messy. I may be worrying for nothing, I hope so.

Altra, BSN, RN · Jul 9, 2005

Were you required to show the prescription for the med and that's why you refused the test?

I'm just a little confused -- whenever I've had a pre-employment physical & drug screen, there has always been a medical history form to fill out before taking the test, including listing (but not actually showing prescriptions for) any meds I'm currently taking or have taken in the last 30 days, including OTC drugs.

I'm just not quite understanding what the issue was the the Rx -- you were currently out of refills and had to see your MD again but hadn't made the appt. yet?

newnurse52 · Jul 9, 2005

Were you required to show the prescription for the med and that's why you refused the test?
I'm just a little confused -- whenever I've had a pre-employment physical & drug screen, there has always been a medical history form to fill out before taking the test, including listing (but not actually showing prescriptions for) any meds I'm currently taking or have taken in the last 30 days, including OTC drugs.
I'm just not quite understanding what the issue was the the Rx -- you were currently out of refills and had to see your MD again but hadn't made the appt. yet?

There are no refills on this medication. It is a stimulant. I have to weigh in every month to get a new RX, I had not been back to weigh in so I had no RX.

At the time of the drug screen I was not required to show the bottle or RX, BUT if it came back positive for a stimulant, I would have to show a current RX.

The employee health said that if it did come back positive for stimulants, and I did not have a current RX, she would be required to report me to the IPN.

I know what you are saying about a list of drugs or meds in the last 30 days, but it was explained to me that ANY drug found that required a prescription, ie stimulant, narcotic, etc, you must have a current RX, not a hx of using it, but a current RX.

KnarfKS · Jul 10, 2005

Then go to the doctor and get a RX...This isn't that complicated. You just seem to be shooting yourself in the foot right now. Refusing a drug screening looks bad.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2005

There's no positive drug results and no work history, so I doubt there's anything to turn over to the IPN.

Good luck to you.

I would advise you to go weight in, and get a current script.

SarasotaRN2b · Jul 10, 2005

Were you required to show the prescription for the med and that's why you refused the test?
I'm just a little confused -- whenever I've had a pre-employment physical & drug screen, there has always been a medical history form to fill out before taking the test, including listing (but not actually showing prescriptions for) any meds I'm currently taking or have taken in the last 30 days, including OTC drugs.
I'm just not quite understanding what the issue was the the Rx -- you were currently out of refills and had to see your MD again but hadn't made the appt. yet?

I agree totally. When you go for your pre-employment physical and drug analysis, you are asked if you are taking any medications. This is than listed so that when it comes up, it has been shown to be disclosed already.

Kris

rjflyn, ASN, RN · Jul 10, 2005

When a urine drug screen is done and a confirmed postitive result occurs before the results are given to the requesting agency ie employer in your case the medical review officer is suppose to contact you re the result. (I work as a travel nurse and have taken 2 in the last week). Look at the drug test form. Anyway one typically only needs to provide the information off the RX bottle -- ie dont throw any away that would show up on a drug screen. If you are able to provide that information then the result is reported as negative, ie the employer never knows. The MRO typically is a doctor trained in toxicology and would understand that drug X stays in ones system for so long. Now if you were to test positive for THC or Cocaine metabolities the last I knew one generally cant get a precription for those.

Rj:rolleyes:

jeepgirl, LPN, NP · Jul 10, 2005

your actions seem suspicious. if it has been a week since you last took the med, and it shows up... they should be able to tell that you took it last week before your med was used up. that tech dipping your pee must be misinformed.

Altra, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2005

your actions seem suspicious. if it has been a week since you last took the med, and it shows up... they should be able to tell that you took it last week before your med was used up. that tech dipping your pee must be misinformed.

Agree. I suspect that either it wasn't explained to you clearly or perhaps you misunderstood.

All kinds of meds are prescribed for a specific time period. Your stimulant medication -- eventually you'll be weaned off of it. Another example would be a narcotic pain med prescribed for an acute injury -- Rx for 5 days, 10 days ... whatever, then finished. If you give a urine sample before the med is fully excreted then it's going to show up, but it's very clearly explained -- med was prescribed for x reason, taken for x number of days, last dose taken on x day ...

I hope you're able to get this cleared up.

BETSRN · Jul 10, 2005

Hi to everyone. I just recently passed the nclex and was hired for my first job here in Florida. I was sent to get a new hire physical and drug test. I did not take the drug test or physical because I am on a diet medication (phentermine) with a prescription, but because I was inbetween filling the new prescription and having the possibility of it showing in my ua I declined. I was worried that I might get reported to the IPN, a florida watch dog. I made up a story to HR that I was going to keep looking for work. Then I decided to call the Director of Nursing at this hospital and explain that it was not because I wanted to keep looking for work, but because I was worried about a lapsed RX. Now I realize what a mistake that was because I am worried that she might report me to the IPN anyway. I am worried sick about this. I have a RX for this med, always did, never had a bad ua in my life. I even had a ua a few weeks before this incident and it was negative for the phentermine. I was just confused at the time and my explanation to her sounded ridiculous. I ended up leaving her a voice mail trying to explain but I think I made it worse. Should I be worried? [/quote
Refusing a drug screen makes you look immediately suspect. Why would you jeopardize a brand new career? If your Rx. is legitimate, then be above board. Don't be stupid and screw yourself before you even start!