Nicotine Test for new employment

[hls0810]

Has any smoker had to take a nicotine/cotinine test for pre employment? If yes please post how much you smoked, body size, how long you quit before the test, and if you passed or not.

There have been lots of questions and not to much follow up for answers. Since a lot of hospitals are making nicotine test a part of the job screening process... this can be helpful.

thank you!

[mrsboots87]

Are you planning to not really quit? I am not judging or anything, but wondering what you plan to do during your shift. Typically a fcility that hires non smokers, expects there will be no smoking at during the shift. Do you only smoke a few a day and can last a whole shift without smoking?

As for your question, when I started my last job (non nursing), it was with a non smoking employer. I was told that the test would pic up "recent" smoking. I don't smoke so I never elaborated, but I would assume that to mean within a weeks time. Maybe even less. Hopefully someone can give you a better answer then me, but if you can quit for at least a week I would imagine you will screen clean.

[sapphire18]

I've heard it can show up up to 60 days later.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

We use the cotinine test for our would-be transplant candidates. They must totally abstain for 21 days at a minimum. And...then we spot check too.

[hls0810]

I actually quit smoking. However this conversation has come up numerous times between my friends and I. It seems everyone has only had an assumption of time. Recently this came up because my friend is applying for a position with pre employment nicotine screening. She has been smoke free for five days now.

[MatrixRn]

I think we can expect this more and more. Testing for smokers is overt; this just adds to the drug tests and background checks already being done. There are other items some employers are using to weed out potential candidates not so overt like overweight or age.

I am waiting for the fall out of the states that just legalized pot....if there is not already a test for this there soon will be.

[TiffyRN, BSN, PhD]

I'm a rabid anti-smoker. But here's my question? When are the vapers going to challenge this? As I understand this the evidence stands with tobacco smoke, not nicotine vapers. Just trying to keep up on this issue. I know for now nicotine levels are what are being monitored.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses

[hls0810]

Per hospitals in our area. All smoke free and smoke products that contain nicotine.

However, nobody can give a testament of time for how long they had to quit to pass.

Let me clarify ... Just because they are quitting to pass a test doesn't mean they are going to start back up.

So anyone that was a smoker and quit to take one of these tests. Information would be helpful.

[klone, MSN, RN]

ShillaBSN said:

I am waiting for the fall out of the states that just legalized pot....if there is not already a test for this there soon will be.

No fallout - even though marijuana is now legal here, most facilities have a zero tolerance policy anyway.

[1fastRN]

Wow I didn't know this was a thing? Why do they care though? I mean make it a smoke free campus and don't allow smoking breaks, that makes sense. Not a smoker and I would hate to have a nurse who smells like stale cigarettes so I don't really care, just didn't know they actually tested for it. Is it a health initiative thing?

[klone, MSN, RN]

Because smoking increases health insurance rates. And people who smoke stink like smoke, even if they're not smoking while at work.

[1fastRN]

klone said:

Because smoking increases health insurance rates. And people who smoke stink like smoke, even if they're not smoking while at work.

Agreed, I just didn't know if there was some other logic behind it. Maybe they should start testing for big macs because some of my co workers diets... oh lawd! Haha