Nicotine Test for new employment

Updated:   Published

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!

It's very simple if you want a position in a hospital that requires a nicotine test than you take the test.

A lot of these board turn into that debate with that topic, but the hospital in our area that requires it is a magnet hospital and a lot of people want a position there.

So it's really not a matter of what we are willing to accept because if we don't accept their policy they will hire the next nurse that will.

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Sorry, didn't get the quote in. Didn't make any sense without it!

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Asystole RN said:

Good! Nobody batted an eye at an individuals rights being trampled on when it came to smoking but I bet this is likely to catch the attention of all those people who poo poo'd the slippery slope argument about personal freedoms. You can't have one without the other people. It's all connected.

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If you think you are going to quit for a few days, get by the nicotine test, start back and keep your job? Think again. People that smoke don't realize how much of a stench they have when they come back in after they smoke. If smoking is banned, trust me..you'll be getting a job you'll just turn around and lose because if they smell smoke, then that is probable cause to drug test you and if you come up positive, they will fire you.

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Maybe. My employer only screens for nicotinewhen hiring. I've since been drug tested and had nicotine in my system. I usually just vape but occasionally have a real cig. I never go into work smelling like smoke. I was tested as a random not due to suspicions about smoking. Anyhow I passed with plenty of nicotine in my system. In my case, I guess they only check for continine upon hiring. I guess all places handle it differently.

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Specializes in MDS/ UR.

Conceal someone's urine on your person to pass a test for smoking?

Wow, I can't comprehend doing that to try and get a job.

You smoke, you deal with the realities of it.

Trying to fake out a test like that says a lot about one's character, in my opinion.

I smoked 2 packs a day for half my life.

I had an unplanned quit due to a serious respiratory infection. I was fortunate that I made the choice to try and ride out the urges.

I will have 5 years this October.

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Specializes in ICU.

I am seriously concerned about anyone who would deliberately try to cheat on a nicotine test. Is smoking that important to you? That you would compromise your job, character, trust, etc.? Just quit already. Stop cold turkey and be done with them! You will save tons of money, have whiter teeth and fresher breath. Imagine in a few years, having to cough up a lung before you can get out of bed; wrinkles, yellow teeth. I used to smoke, so I understand, but quitting sets you free. I don't have to worry about cravings, don't have to "find a way to go smoke." Like I've said previously, now that I don't smoke, my body reacts negatively to cigarette smoke, makes me feel sick. It is like my body recognizes this as a poison.

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Specializes in MDS/ UR.

I get that you are talking about cessation products but still this is just not a good thing to do. You get busted? What you are going to say? How are you going to talk to the BON on this?

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Specializes in MDS/ UR.

If they are checking urine for more than nicotine and you get busted. You can bet your last buck you are going to get called for more issues than dodging nicotine.

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Ruas61 said:
I get that you are talking about cessation products but still this is just not a good thing to do. You get busted? What you are going to say? How are you going to talk to the BON on this?

No Board of Nursing has a policy on using tobacco products, that is a facility decision. If you fail a drug test for nicotine, you can lose your job or not get hired, but it is not reportable because it is a 100% legal substance and you are not impaired if you have it in your system.

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Specializes in MDS/ UR.
Jory said:
No Board of Nursing has a policy on using tobacco products, that is a facility decision. If you fail a drug test for nicotine, you can lose your job or not get hired, but it is not reportable because it is a 100% legal substance and you are not impaired if you have it in your system.

I addressed that in the next post.

I was alluding to the fact that faking out a test with false urine might get you up and in front of the board.

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You can buy the tests on Amazon for really cheap.

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