Positive drug screen for THC. Should I self-report?

[Nurs3]

Hello all,

I recently tested positive for THC in a random drug screen at a new job. Immediately fired and was told I had to self report to Florida IPN. I assume because I'm in FL they will have to report the positive drug test. I sought out legal counsel and my lawyer said to not self-report. Im worried that by not self reporting I'm running the risk that the BON will file a formal complaint against my license and will suspend it. I'm also worried that if I try to challenge this with my lawyer that I will lose and have a black mark on my license and still have to do IPN. I am not an addict. I used MJ one time in a long time while I was in between jobs. I have no prior disciplinary actions on my license, this is my first offense ever. No problems with any previous employment. No drug diversion, no narcs, none of that. If I self-report I'm worried I'll have to go through IOP or inpatient treatment and be drained of all the money I have by going through IPN (I've read enough of the horror stories in this forum). I haven't told anyone about this yet because I'm obviously very embarrassed and upset at myself. My family is generally supportive but they would be so disappointed in me. My fiance is aware I lost my job due to the positive drug screen and he is very upset with me. I have not even mentioned anything to him about possible disciplinary action on my license for fear of how he'd react I just don't know what to do at this point. I'm scared and all alone with my thoughts all day with no support. I welcome any advice or support.

Thanks for reading.

[Babyj88, BSN]

I agree with advice people told you that you have a lawyer listen to him. after all you paying him for his expertise. Why risk going self report and get a 5 yr sentence while your lawyer might can get you two. All I would say is after dealing with these people is that they are after your money. After proving my innocence with all negative tests, I still get a 2 yr sentence just because. Good luck but please don’t go self report you will regret it.

[catsmeow1972, BSN, RN]

9 hours ago, Babyj88 said:

I agree with advice people told you that you have a lawyer listen to him. after all you paying him for his expertise. Why risk going self report and get a 5 yr sentence while your lawyer might can get you two. All I would say is after dealing with these people is that they are after your money. After proving my innocence with all negative tests, I still get a 2 yr sentence just because. Good luck but please don’t go self report you will regret it.

After the metric ton of money I was forced to hand over to these people to and their cronies when they took my license hostage, I determined some time ago that in regards to any further fights with them, I would rather hand money to my lawyer than to them. At least with my lawyer I know there is someone on my side and the money is not merely going into a black hole of an outfit that’s going to ****** me no matter what.

To be honest, even if after all of this, you still wind up with something on the license, when it comes down to it, I don’t think anyone really cares. The mere thought of it being there embarrassed me for so long but it’s getting to where the machinations of IPN and the damage they incur to people for things that should not warrant a lifelong scarlet letter that like a credit report, the older it gets, the more people see it and go...ok...and shrug, big deal. Shoot, people get public discipline for falling into arrears on student loans. This is the great state of Flori-duh after all.

Listen to your lawyer.

[rockchickrn, ADN]

Hopefully the day will come when they treat cannabis like alcohol and quit penalizing people that used on their own time and weren’t under the influence at work.

[Riel, MSN]

What exactly is your attorney trying to propose? How is she proposing to argue the results of the drug screen? Who told you to self report? Were you told that your employer would report you if you didn't self report? From my experience ( and I have experience with a positive THC screen by my employer) the board and/ IPN will not look favorably on your choice to not self report. Getting off to a bad start that way could make your life really hard. Were you tested by your employer for any particular reason? If so, that is problematic. What the IPN really does not like is when nurses refuse to be accountable for their actions, and even worse, are dishonest. You are the only one who can chose what to do. You know in your heart what the right thing to do is. If that is fighting this thing because it's a mistake, then fight it. The truth will always be on your side, whatever it is.

[catsmeow1972, BSN, RN]

From what I can tell, from the OPs post, the reason for the addressing the board as opposed to self reporting is not to argue the existence of the + drug screen but to protect oneself from being steamrolled by IPN. They tend to tell a great story but once involved with them, you find huge conflicts of interest, real questionable ethics and a lot of refusal to do anything but rubber stamp paperwork and not answer phone calls. OP will likely still have to deal with them but maybe for a lesser amount of time than if she just allowed them to crucify her, which if she pick up that phone and self reported...would open that can of worms.

[Randomnurse3]

Please don’t take advice from here and self report. Your attorney knows what is best for your case. He is there to help you, not hurt you!

[LPN With An Attitude]

Tell them you were using cannabis oil because you started exercising. Many body builders use this and it is sold at health food stores.