Nicotine Free Hospitals

[Toula's Mom]

Hello All! I just got offered an amazing job at Franciscan Health! They are a nicotine-free hospital. I think they don't even want to see second hand exposure on employee nicotine tests. I am a food and beverage server at a major resort however, and I often cocktail until 2AM where people are smoking cigars and cigarettes. My exe's roommate was also a smoker and although I avoided him, I would occasionally be exposed to smoke for a time.

My questions are these:

(1) Knowing that I work in the food industry, if I test positive for nicotine exposure, do I have an opportunity to explain the situation I am in?

(2) Do they even have tests that check for exposure, or is it pure positive or negative.

(3) Would I be able to suggest paying for random nicotine tests that I will pay for myself?

(4) Has anyone been hired by FH that tested positive for exposure?

(5) Does anyone know anything about FH, their policy's and this test?

This would be an out of state move for me, and I am 100% committed to anything I can do to get out there. I took a home test and I was positive for low exposure. I am simply unsure of how much wiggle room there is with the policy, or if it is the equivalent of failing a drug test? It is so hard to avoid exposure these days, and I am practically running for a gas mask when I see a smoker now!

Thank you for your attention everybody, I appreciate your time!

Toula's Mom

[klone, MSN, RN]

Typically, cotinine tests are quantitative, and they realize there is a threshold at which a person will test positive due to second-hand exposure. The level found in primary exposure is generally much higher.

This link gives more information on the different levels and the interpretation:

NICOU - Clinical: Nicotine and Metabolites, Urine

[Toula's Mom]

Oh goodness, if the test was quantitative I would just jump for joy! I took the test on Tuesday, and they were still going forward with the background check on Friday, I don't know if that means anything though, lol. I think I am just being a neurotic little new grad, lol. I really want to start working as a nurse!