omg, help please

[pharmgirl]

I had a lump removed from my breast on Tues the 12th. I intentionally pushed the surgeon to schedule this before school started so I could be healed and ready to roll on Monday when school starts. Well, I got home on Tuesday took a prescribed pain pill and went to bed. I woke up Wednesday morning and took another one and checked my email. Lo and behold, there is an email from the director of my nursing program that Drug/Alcohol screens need to be completed by the 20th. Now I'm panicing. So I emailed him and explained to him about the surgery, prescription etc. He stated that it didn't matter why I was on a narcotic and that the hospital will view it as impaired judgement and I will be denied clinicals.

I immediately stopped taking the Lortabs and have been enduring with tylenol (which has sucked, let me tell you). From any information I can gather Loratabs have a 1/2 life of 24 hours but I can't find any more specific information. My question is, am I going to be OK if I take my drug screen on the 20th? I've taken 2 pills (maybe 3, i cant remember if I got up in the middle of the night on the 12th) but my last one was the morning of the 13th.

I am in a total panic, this is the last thing in the world that I thought would stand between me and my education. I've never used drugs in my life. How long will this stay in my system? Please any info would be appreciated.

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

Yeah! Congrats on both! Whew!

[LMRN10]

Just wanted to update this......I PASSED THE DRUG SCREEN!! thank goodness, one less stress. Thanks all for your advice.

I had gone into the surgeon to talk to him before I got the results and he told me that he was on the board at the hospital and if I had any problems to come see him. At first he said also that I had a prescription and should be ok but when I told him the reality he was livid and said he would fight whoever he had to fight for me. So that was a relief....but even moreso that I didnt have to take him up on his offer.

Also......the lump was just calcification WOO HOOOOOO. Another stressor relieved. Thanks all for your prayers. Now the only stress left is SCHOOL lmao.

Great news on both issues!!! I'm so happy for you!!! Stress is not good when you already have enough to deal with when in school!

[IHeartPhysiology]

is that even legal? to have a drug screening being part of the stipulations that you can attend college?

what school is this?

Yes, this is legal and it is the policy of many schools and clinical sites. My school drug screens for admittance to all health sciences programs and all clinical site rotations. However, if one has a prescription medication and clearance from a physician, then allowances are made.

To the OP, I'm so sorry that your school is being so unreasonable! That is a little ridiculous that they have their panties in a twist over Lortabs for a BIOPSY! Sheesh!

[IHeartPhysiology]

Oh, I just saw your update! I'm glad everything worked out!

[LaceyRN]

So happy for you!

God Bless you!

:icon_hug:

[uscstu4lfe]

from what i understand nursing students can NOT be on narcotics. nursing students work under the supervision of an RN at the hospital - it's not like youre doing procedures alone or anything.

on the other hand, RNs can work while taking a narcotic, as long as it's prescribed, but they are the ones that work indepedently while doing procedures and what not. doesn't make sense to me!