pre-employment drug screen

[beach123]

In California, what are the typical actions of the BON if you test positive for a pre-employment drug screen and have never physically worked as an RN in the state of CA, but are currently licensed? any advice would be appreciated...also is it advised to self report?

[backtowork]

I cannot speak for California, but in my state they would most likely report you to the board or peer review. It is not an issue of never working as an RN, but the fact you do have a license is the issue.

That being said, can you help me to understand your fear of your UDS coming back positive? Pre employment drug screens are usually a scheduled event not a random event. I am not being judgmental, just curious what you think they might find? I have so.."been there..done that" myself and now am paying a dear price for it. Would do anything to see another nurse not go down the road myself and so many others have been. :redbeathe:nurse::redbeathe

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

In general, if you have legal prescriptions for anything you test positive for, you should be fine. If you don't, you're definitely not fine.

If you are concerned about something you did that may cause it to come back positive, I can't tell you for certain whether to self-report or not. I've heard convincing arguments for and against both choices, so ultimately you need to decide what is the best action for you.

What I will suggest is that if you feel you have a substance abuse problem, don't wait for a failed UDS or BON disciplinary action to seek help: talk to your doctor and/or get thee to a 12-step program (AA, NA, etc.). If you don't feel that you have a substance abuse problem, consider that many employers do frown on recreational drug use...so even though to you it's only the occasional joint/pill/whatever, to an employer that occasional use could make you a big liability.

Best of luck.