Pre Employment drug screen decision

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Hey guys. I'll make it short.

I passed NCLEX 3/5. Stopped smoking marijuana for good 3/17 so I can have a long nursing career and be responsible.

It's been over a month since my last use and I received a job offer at local nursing home. I self tested myself and I'm still coming up + for THC metabolites. My drug test/physical is in a few days.

I don't want to try and cheat the drug test, I don't want to start my career that way.

Should I

1. Talk to the director of nursing at the facility and tell her my situation. See if she will let me come back in a few weeks and do the test then.

--Would she be able to report me to the board of nursing for this question?

2. Tell them I received a better job offer and start applying for other jobs (by the time I get one I should be clean.)

Thanks in advance for advice.

P.S. For all you people about to hate on me. I did not smoke during clinical, only during my summers off. And yes I guess it taking me a while to get clean because I smoked very heavily when I graduated because I knew I had to say goodbye to it because of my chosen career. Also, I'm a little overweight...which I guess is why I'm still not good after a month.

(IL resident)

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I'm from Washington, it's legal here, so I'll speak from that perspective. I would NOT (not, never, under any circumstances whatsoever) tell a prospective manager. Never never.

Do some research online about the persistent, erm, situation with your urine testing + for THC. This ain't a good place to ask for advice along these lines. I'm half sure you aren't for real :D because that's how much this ain't a good place to ask for advice for these kinds of things. Good luck :)

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I would be completely sure that you are clean, and stay clean. When self testing shows that you are no longer +, THEN start applying for jobs.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Never tell. make up an excuse to delay the test.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

Agree with previous posters. DO NOT disclose marijuana use to an employer. Ever ever evereverever.

Either figure out a way to delay the testing/physical, or decline the job offer.

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Specializes in PACU.

Never, ever, ever, ever disclose this to an employer.

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Specializes in public health, women's health, reproductive health.

I have to add on to the others: Do not disclose. Don't do it. Really. Don't.

Get clear. Find a job. Stay clean.

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Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.

I am in my state's monitoring program and know of two nurses who are in the program JUST for coming up dirty for THC on an employment screen. Decline the job offer and wait until you know that you can pass a UA.

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Don't tell. Make up an excuse to push back a few weeks, or decline the offer.

Don't tell or test dirty and ruin your career.

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Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.

Do you really think your prospective employer is going to say,"sure come back and do your drug test when you are clean".NO way they are interested in hiring a competent individual that does need Marijuana to cope.They will not cut you a break and you should never expect them to do that.So no way tell or you will regret it. Wait until you are clean.That is the wise option.

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Specializes in LTC, Med Surg, Renal Care.

Decline the offer. Get clean, stay clean!

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I got you guys. Much appreciated for the advice from all of you.

I'll get clean and stay clean.

Thanks again for the help.

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