Positive drug test letter from BON

Nurses Recovery

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The board of nursing just sent me a letter that they discovered I had a positive drug screen from my previous employer. This was not for a diversion, this is for illicit drug use. I now have another good nursing job in another state and I did not tell this employer about my positive drug screen. I have been with this employer for 3 months. I was hoping my previous employer would not report this instance to the BON, but I just found out today by means of a letter from my previous state BON. What should I do? What is going to happen. I'm scared that I'm now going to lose out on this great job, lose my license, or even go to jail. I already signed a one year lease for an apartment in my new state and I'm the only bread winner for my family. Will the new state find out?

Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
@ toomuch: i personally do not find your interaction with the OP unacceptable- I do find it interesting as i look back over this thread, that the OP "explained" the positive test in response to your remark. Our difference of opinion is, actually, imo- just a difference in train of thought- i surely did not intend anything else.

I don't have a problem with the discussion but was singled out by another as somehow deviating the thread from the OP.

People are very defensive about cannabis and often feel the need to rationalize or explain their support for proper legal reform in discussions.

It is my view that nurses who simply test positive for cannabis on an employment drug screen and then get sucked into a rehab situation are victims of a system which is using fear and ignorance as the basis for their rules and laws. Nurses who occasionally use cannabis recreationally are no more addicted to pot than is the nurse who occasionally enjoys an alcoholic beverage. It would be nice if they weren't treated like drug addicts and unreliable.

We need to change our laws relative to cannabis so that educated, intelligent, and competent nurses are not subjected to this sort of life changing silliness. My heart breaks for nurses who get caught up in these circuses for a single positive marijuana test.

2 Votes
Specializes in Gerontology RN-BC and FNP MSN student.

Honestly, honesty is your best bet.

Come clean with your BON....Both of them, and get into the solution.

Begin the process by being a part of their plan, if you contact them, then present the facts to your supervisor, you have a good chance of them working with you. You've already shown your work style and that your competent....I assume since you've been there a few months. Confront the issue head-on and jump through the hoops necessary, then get on with your life.

Best wishes, please don't be discouraged. Just try to move forward with what you can do.

Resentment is living in the past-over your mistakes and fear is living in the future....which we can not control either.

Just for today. Stay in the now and do what you can to be accountable and responsible.

Too much: OP gave background info freely. It is scary as "you know what" to get a letter like that from the BON. When you have your profession and your livelihood threatened for whatever reason it is natural to want to explain the situation and seek info from those who have gone before you. I also thought I would just surrender my license at first...seemed like they were asking too much, plus the shame that goes along with it. As far as MJ, it is illegal and until the govt steps in-many licensed professionals from all walks of life will be held to a different standard. Some BON have more lenient monitoring for the infrequent pot smoker...We may see a trend in this type of thing. Appreciate your questions, it helps me reflect on my beliefs and may help another who is suffering and seeking relief.. Peace.

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Also there is a post here about the ADA- it does not seem like your current employer would be able to fire you.

The ADA doesn't cover the legality of illegal substances. The BON can do whatever it wishes when you are in the public "safety" sector.

In a sense you are right: ADA does not protect you if you are currently engaged in the use of said substances. If you are no longer engaged in the use of then the ADA does apply in employer/employee relationship.

The BON has its own set of rules- and you are not protected by the ADA. But my response was directed to the "current employer".

The best thing one can hope for with the BON is a second chance

Update: Well there is no update. No word from the BON. Gee, how long does this take. You would think if I was an impaired nurse they would take action right away. I quit my nursing job and currently working in a non-nursing job. I didn't like my nursing job but that's a different story. I might go back to nursing but this is still hanging over my head. By the way I have been clean all this time and don't plan ever using again. So it's been more than seven months. I haven't said a word and I haven't heard any thing from the Ohio BON. Does anybody have a clue how long it may take?

In our state if they do not hear from you they send a certified letter for response- I think you have 30 days from the certified letter delivery.

The BON might have cleared you from their books, maybe they have a different process? Even if you aren't working a nursing job you are still licensed... Hopefully the BON is realizing that MJ is a substance that adults should be able to enjoy...

Specializes in LTC, Psych, Med/Surg.
... Hopefully the BON is realizing that MJ is a substance that adults should be able to enjoy...

I wouldn't count on that if I were you. Nurses are not allowed to be human, or have pain or anxiety that requires a controlled substance, etc. (I am feeling bitter tonight I am afraid)

Catmom :paw:

@ toomuchbaloney: as far as I know- most, or all, states' BON takes a very dim view of a positive drug screen for MJ- end of discussion- regardless of your, or anyone else's- opinion.

This was my understanding too. An employer could have a problem with it, but as far as I know we aren't distributing a whole lot of pot to our patient's where the BON would be worried about diverting meds (I say this because back in nursing school I had a patient who had it in pill form and pharmacy had loaded it into the pixis. I didn't even know it existed that way. Haven't seen it since). Now, if the OP had tested positive for Opiates without a script...

Specializes in CMON.

Does your present employer have to know you’re in an impaired program? If you don’t psss narcotics but are exposed to home meds, I believe they do.

Yes because they have to have a 3 way phone call with the bon and you plus sign your monthly report

Specializes in Med/Surg & Psych.
55 minutes ago, nowim clean said:

Yes because they have to have a 3 way phone call with the bon and you plus sign your monthly report

Every month? Man, that sucks! what state are you in? In Indiana our reports are due quarterly and I've never had to talk on the phone! I've heard Texas is pretty strict too.

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