new nurse refuse drug test

Nurses New Nurse

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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? :crying2:

In most states if you refuse a urine test it is listed as a fail. Most employers will not hire you because you refused and "failed" you urine test.

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Specializes in Rehab, Neuro, Travel Nurse, Home Care.

You need to find out the laws in your licence state. I know nurses that have failed their drug screen and they just applied to another job and got it after their urine was clean.

One time I was taking perscribed Percocet and I found out I needed to take a drug test. I told the person that was getting my urine and she explained if my urine comes up dirty than somebody will call me and I will have to provide proof of Rx.

Also you can get a home drug test and see what is in your urine. But I know you don't want to hear any shoulda coulda wouldas. Just find out your state's info and apply for another job. You are not blackballed in nursing.

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The issue with IPN in Florida, is that it does NOT matter if you have an Rx or not. If you have a medical condition that requires treatment with a narcotic or other IPN "banned" medication, YOU CAN'T TAKE IT! It's against The Nurse Practice Act. I took my own prescribed narcotic on my day off. I appeared drowsy at work the next day (I also had severe Pernicious Anemia requiring Oncology intervention AND had heart attack range hypokalemia, post Gastric Bypass). I admitted to every single medication that was PRESCRIBED, every medical condition. I was co-erced by my former employer of 10 years, that I go into IPN Voluntarily. I signed a 5 year contract. A few months later, I got two merit raise increases...my best evaluations ever! The next month, the employer terminated me, for falling asleep, in a class, outside the clinical setting ON MY DAY OFF. No badge, no uniform, no clock in. It was my own time and they terminated me. I tested negative, on the day they terminated me too. It really sucks. I have my BSN, have been an RN for 25 years...I took my own prescribed meds, for Fibromyalgia, on my time, but because of the 1/2 life it is still in your system. They will get you! I had another doctor prescribe Ritalin for ADHD and was told by IPN that I couldn't work while taking it...BUT YOU CAN TAKE CONCERTA...Does that make sense??? It's the SAME DRUG!! I went to an Employment Attorney, there is nothing I can do. Florida is a Right To Hire/Right To Fire State. They didn't need a reason to fire me. What is the worst thing, is IPN is such a negative stigma. My IPN contract does not require random testing. I never had a narcotic key restriction. I do not have to particpate in weekly meetings...but still the employer has to know, per contract. I haven't been able to find work in a year...remortgaged my house, etc. I am down to my last penny. IPN doesn't care. Their response is that there are "plenty of IPN Nurses with jobs!" I have petitioned for re-examination of my situation and was denied, twice. All the employer has to do is fill out that check sheet once a quarter...that's it...I think we are getting Black Balled. My license is worthless at this point. My Pernicious Anemia and hypokalemia is controlled, so I am not sleepy anymore. Soon, I will have to get a job outside nursing to support myself. I would like to find out if there are any statistics to employment of IPN nurses. Does anyone know??? Oh, I also took myself off the narcotic myself and have been "clean" for 2.5 years. If Nurses get sick...shouldn't they be entitled to treatment too?

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Specializes in Hospice, Adolecent psych/behavorial, eme.

I am very very new here. I am 4 months into my LPN program, so please bear with me. I live here in FL... and in class we have discussed the Board of Nursing.. but what is the IPN? I just want to be as informed as I can be. Also, do they have a list of banned meds? I only take a couple, but one is controlled ( I take is PRN for migraines). Just curious. Not sure if I need to start trying out new migraine meds now. I don't want to do anything to jeapordize my career before it starts. Thank you

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the ipn is the intervention project for nurses. it is a florida program (although other states do have a similar program) for nurses, who may be in violation of the nurse practice act. usually, the nurse is addicted to narcotics or alcohol. they may also have psychiatric conditions that interfere with practicing safe nursing. you may enter the program voluntarily and do as they say for at least a minimum of 5 years (they put many restrictions on the type of nursing that you do and require that you get counseling, psychiatric care, prescriptions that you can take, you have to inform every potential employer that you are in the program, they disallow/allow narcotic key use, they also tell you if and when you can work, you have to be supervised) or you enter the program as mandated by the board of nusing. if you want to practice nursing, you sign a contract with the ipn and agree to their requirements. if entered voluntarily and you do everything that they say, nothing goes on your license and the board knows nothing. when your contract is completed, you are free and clear and no one is the wiser. if it is mandated by the board of nursing, it goes on your license. i do not know what happens, if it goes on your license, but anyone can go on the internet and see that you have had "issues." i imagine that the mandatory contract is more controlling. very few facilities are open to hiring a nurse in the ipn, because they feel they are asking for trouble. they can't say they are disicriminating against you for that reason and they make every excuse in the book as to why you aren't hired. i have twenty-five years of nursing experience, my bsn and i can't get a job. i have 3 years of pediatric neurosurgery (an unlikely experience to find) and i was not hired for a position in that same field. i have worked pediatrics, pediatric intensive care, pacu (recovery room), o.r., nursing management, home health, etc. and i can't get a job, because i am in the ipn. everyone is ialways interested in me and enthusiastic in hiring me and when i tell them "ipn," its like i have the plague. good luck with school. nursing is a wonderful profession, especially when you can work at something that you excel in doing.

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Specializes in Transplant, homecare, hospice.

Oh wow. Um. Not a good move. When I was hired by my current hospital, I took their physical and drug test. I brought my prescription bottles in with me and showed it to the nurse administering the tests. I was currently taking aderall and ambien. Both of which would test positive. But because I was up front and didn't try to hide anything, I was hired. It DID come back positive, but they had it documented that I was legally taking those meds. I was hired and still work for the same hospital. That was nearly 6 years ago. If you have a prescription for any kind of medication that you think will turn up a positive result in a drug screen, always tell them. They cannot deny you employment and most likely won't if you are honest with them.

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? :crying2:
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Specializes in Transplant, homecare, hospice.

Hi. I'm a Florida resident too. If you have been prescribed this medication by a physician, you are not in any violation. If you are taking narcotics, then you can't take them while working, obviously. If it suspected that you are, your employer has the right to drug test you on the spot. Any kind of medication that is a narcotic or drug that will alter your judgement, etc....endanger a pateint....or yourself is prohibited while working. It's different if you take it at home. That's not illegal. Just don't come into work impared. Always be upfront when being drug tested.

I am very very new here. I am 4 months into my LPN program, so please bear with me. I live here in FL... and in class we have discussed the Board of Nursing.. but what is the IPN? I just want to be as informed as I can be. Also, do they have a list of banned meds? I only take a couple, but one is controlled ( I take is PRN for migraines). Just curious. Not sure if I need to start trying out new migraine meds now. I don't want to do anything to jeapordize my career before it starts. Thank you
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Nursing is analogous to "walking in a minefield".

From the moment you "apply" you are scrutinized.

HR, Admin.Staff (peer interviews).

Doctors/patients/family/coworkers/management.............everyone looks for "weakness"...........

This in a "business" that professes to care about "people".

I'm people, too. Have spent over 30 years caring for others.

Would I do it again? NO!!! But I need to make a living...doing what I no longer believe in.

Myself, my friends, indeed my dogs, top the list of my concerns.

I'm appalled at the direction "health care" has taken.

I look EVERYDAY for alternative income.

To the newcomers....be VERY, Very aware of what you're getting into.

It WILL break your heart.

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Specializes in certified nursing assistant.

I am about to enter a nursing program and they require i take a drug test. I am perscribed vicodin and soma for my back pain and klodipin for my anxiety. If I show them my precriptions right off the bat can they deny me my seat into the nursing program? I have come to far to loose it all now. I hope somebody has an answer for me....

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Specializes in LDRP, Wound Care, SANE, CLNC.

You should not worry about the results, it is not an illegal drug and you had a current rx. What you should be worried about is your first reaction was to LIE. Not a good quality in an RN.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

It's clear that it's a schedule II med involved. They're the only ones that you can't automatically refill or even phone in, but instead need a doctor's visit and a new script written each time...which is something that the Florida IPN would probably take into account should you test positive, especially if it's only been a few days' lapse and you're waiting on your next doctor's appointment.

Now if it were a few weeks since your last script and you tested positive, then I think you'd have a problem.

I think you made a big mistake by refusing the test. I hope nothing comes of it...best of luck.

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Specializes in certified nursing assistant.

I wasn't trying to lie about it I was just worried that they wouldn't let me in if I was prescribed these drugs.

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