Pre-Employment Nicotine Testing

[NUNurse007, BSN]

I recently was offered a ER position at a well known hospital chain in Michigan. I was so excited to hear I got the job, as it was one of those major life goals I had set for myself ... and it seem maybe I had finally reached that goal. Well its about 3 wks before my official orientation day, and I have to take a drug/nicotine screen and Pass in order to move to the "orientation" phase and officially be hired. Unfortunately I "smoked" apx 8-10 cigarettes a day for at least past 15 yrs, I have recently worked at facilities that were "tobacco and smoke free" and that has never been an issue for me, I can easily go 12 hr shift and not smoke, I get it and understand why ,... And I respect that. I always say, even as a smoker, I don't want to smell it when Im ill, so Im sure others would not like to smell me either. But I have a HUGE problem with this condition to hire, I just don't agree that what I do outside of work, could or should be their business ... Im not smoking crack for crying out loud, yet I would be penalized the same way. I don't think its fair at all, especially when its only being done to help with the company insurance premium and has nothing to do with their concern with my health or the patients. So anyways, I have tried desperately not to smoke.. I was using a patch for a few weeks prior, which of course is also not acceptable ..you will test positive.

They are doing a Urine test tomorrow (Tuesday) and my last exposure to Nicotine was Sunday at 745 AM ... after a night shift. Ive been under so much stress over this that I can't even think straight and its making my cravings worse. I am suppose to be leaving for vacation the day after this test, for 7 days with my family, and Im so consumed with the thought of this test that I can't even focus on packing or doing any of the other things I need to do before you leave on vacation. Im stressed out because although I have tried so hard to quit, they don't take that into consideration, and if I fail you can't reapply for 90 days ..but how will they flag your file?? What are the chances that they will actually call you again considering that you didn't pass a "drug screen" that happens to include nicotine .... Ive been drinking water, popping Vit C, eating healthy for past two days ... I just pray this doesn't ruin my vacation and everything I have worked towards .. Had I known this was going to be the case, I would have not applied until I was Nicotine Free 100% and comfortable ... I will keep everyone updated, But Id like to know someone else's experience with this? How long did you quit before you took the test and pass or failed? I know all the disadvantages of smoking (I am a nurse after all) so please save me the lecture ..I am going to quit and Im trying hard ..I just want to know other people's experience

[NUNurse007, BSN]

As a follow-up to this post ... I passed my test after stopping with smoking and all nicotine products 3days (apx 72 hrs maybe a little less) before the test .. I drank tons of water .. Took high levels of Vitamin C (foods and supplements) and by time I took the test I passed. I dedicated to eating super healthy too. Good thing that came from this ... I stop smoking now ..so thats a good thing ..sometimes I guess it takes this to push you. I was smoking about 10-12 cigarettes a day