Throwaway2022

I feel exactly same way. I have been nurse for exactly a year and I did work a lot of over time at first. I absolutely hate my job, and it's all I ever wanted to do was to help people and make them better. The staffing ratios on my med-surg floor was manageable at first, now I feel I am jeopardizing my license and patient safety every shift. The patient acuity is not taken into consideration with assignments, I am so busy doing CNAs jobs that I can't pass medications. For the first time in my life, things should be so good. But I am in the deepest depression I have ever been in. I feel like maybe I am just completely incompetent of being a nurse. I feel defeated. And I carry guilt because I have stopped working overtime and pray for the opportunity to get called off.

Yes, I currently work for the largest hospital system in my area. The nurse was really nice and told me I would be surprised how many nurses took medication. I did not openly admit to any details. I did not have any problems during nursing school. It was not a substance they tested for, however they did test for Methadone. I would not disclose you are on bupe, UNLESS you specifically know for sure it is being tested for. HIPPA doesn’t offer as much protection as people think, however we are protected under the ADA laws. An employer cannot discriminate against you. As long as you are able to perform your job, you shouldn’t have to worry. I would not advise you to limit your opportunities to working in a nursing home if that isn’t what you want to do. I worked at one for about 3weeks and quit because they have mostly LPNs, and I felt like my license would be at risk because they were so shady. Fortunately I have not had to deal with the BON, I have never been in any trouble. I can tell you that I consider myself grateful everyday that I have came so far and become an RN and I would not jeopardize or risk it for anything.

I am really glad that I am able to help you. I was so appreciative of the 1 or 2 people that were kind enough to respond to me on here as well. Our situations sound exactly same. I also never revealed my past history with my nursing friends or study groups, and yes we all sat and had conversations about the exact same prescriptions you mentioned above LOL. I too felt debilitated going through the licensing process, and onboarding process at my current employer. Yes, they gave me a paper I had to sign that listed every substance they were testing for, my heart dropped, I felt so sick, I literally sat there fighting back tears, and trying to stall bc pure panic sat in. I came so close to running for the door. I had same fears that you have now. The nurse came out to call me back and I told her I didn’t write down my bupe script bc I feared the outcome or possibility of being reported to BON. I worked so hard to get to where I am, I have been through so much, the thought of being a brand new graduate nurse and having it all taken away due to a prescription medication is absolutely ridiculous. No one really understands what we go through, they are so quick to say “you need to get off of that, you just replacing one thing for another”. I can’t tell you how often I hear that. IF I have to take it as maintenance for the rest of my life, I am OK with it. Society will always stigmatize the things they do not individually have experience with, or understand from personal perspective. Do you already have an offer with an employer? Or do you know where you want to work yet?

Please don’t let the fear overcome you. I did the exact same thing. I too can relate to being a single mom with no support. Hold your head up high. I searched the internet, Reddit, blogs high and low looking for answers and advice. I read the nurse practice act and state laws over and over trying to decide whether or not I had did all of this hard work for nothing. I only got vague answers to my questions, I was a nervous wreck for weeks after my health screening appointment at my employer. I overthink everything, which I am learning this is a trait of most nurses. Most people who comment or offer advice are not in the same situation and like to make us feel horrible for not disclosing this personal information to the BON. You are right, why incriminate ourselves before getting the opportunity to prove that we can practice nursing safely. We are actually protected under ADA as long as you are no longer engaging in any illegal use of drugs. So do not volunteer this information freely, prior to drug test, ensure you are aware of what is being tested for, if bupe is included make sure you let them know you have a prescription. That is all they need to know. I took my bottles with me, and I always keep my bupe separate depending on if it is on the test. I do not give them any of my treatment information. Be strong, you have plenty on your plate already. I hope that this will ease your fears, bc there are nurses whom have did far worse, and still practice today. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Please keep me updated.

May I ask what state you live in? I did not disclose any information to the BON during application process. The application does ask about current or past abuse history/treatment. As far as my job, I hoped the bupe would not be included on the drug screen (on my employee health forms, I denied any problems). During my health screening before I provided my specimen, I was given a list of what would be included on the drug screen. Of course, bupe was listed and I was silently freaking out, considering walking out of appointment bc I felt like my world was gonna crash and burn. So I swallowed my pride and told the nurse that I did have a script for bupe, and I had not listed in with my other prescriptions. She said that it should not be a problem. I gave her my bottles and she wrote the info on my paperwork, and said if any issues they would call me. Never heard a word about it. I am very grateful that everything worked out. I can’t guarantee you the same, bc every state is different. Please let me know how things turn out.

Appreciate everyone who has responded. Well it has been over a week and I have not received any phone calls or emails from MRO/Employee Health, so I am assuming everything is okay. Like I said I did provide my prescriptions and the nurse wrote all info down on my drug screen report. I know she sent my sample to lab to confirm, but assuming no news is good news.

Hi, this is actually current post. I am a new graduate and trying to complete onboarding with Hospital system. I have been extremely worried that I could possibly lose everything that I have worked so hard for. I am not sure what state you live in or the guidelines that are specific to your state Nurse Practice Act. The advice I have received, is don’t disclose unless it is revealed. I am still waiting on my results from my health/drug screening, which tested for Bup. I told the nurse prior to submitting my UA sample and was allowed to add the medication to my list. On the form I put “No” for past addiction treatment or counseling, not sure how this all will play out. If you are already employed, as long as you are not impaired or at a risk of harming patients, and no longer engaging in illegal substances….I would not disclose. This is my personal opinion!! I strongly believe we should have the right to keep this information private if no wrongdoing. Addiction has such a negative stigma, not many understand. If you were taking Methadone, I would say otherwise, but Buprenorphine does not impair one’s ability to perform safely.

They said I may not hear anything back, but if so it should be by the end of the week. They did send my specimen off to lab as well, she claimed it was just to confirm the substances. On my paperwork it specifically asked if I have ever had treatment or counseling for drug or alcohol abuse and I answered “No”. The nurse made a statement that the MRO may contact me if he has any questions in regards to my answers on the form. I have been on subutex for many years, so I am not sure how I would explain or respond to his questions. Maybe simply explaining I haven’t been in active addiction for many years and did not see the relevance of disclosing that information, since it will never be an issue to my performance. I sincerely appreciate all of your reply’s and comments. You have gave me the courage to push through this issue. I felt like running out of my appointment yesterday or telling them I wanted to decline the position. However, it is a big hospital system and they own nearly every facility in my area minus 1 or 2, other than LTC facilities. And the pay rate they offered is nothing to complain about. If you would like, I will continue to keep you updated?

Well health/drug screen included Bup on the UA. I had no choice but to tell the collector that I did not write that medication down. She allowed me to add it to my medication list, however I still answered other questions about past history with a “No”. She told me as long as I had legal script, it should be considered a negative result. But the BON in my state does states that nurses aren’t allowed to practice if using subutex. Can they report me to the BON, or require me to enter some type of program?

I agree it is very invasive. May I ask does your state allow nurses to practice while taking Subutex?

I really appreciate your response. I have been terrified over past weekend. The forms I have to fill out prior to the screening, ask about past addictions or drug counseling. I have already decided I am gonna say No. However, on the form it requires me to give consent to medical records so I am still worried, hopefully I’m just being paranoid. In the event the test shows that specific substance, I do have legal prescription. I have never been in any trouble, no disciplinary issues. I am a new graduate just starting career, and I have worked so hard to get to where I am today. I pray everything goes smoothly. Thanks for your time.

I am facing same situation. Please any advice? I am scheduled for my pre-employment test on Monday, which is 3 days away.

Need advice. New nurse pre-employment drug screen first thing next week. Worried about disclosing this info if not needed. Can I ask prior to screening what substances are included on the test? And if I disclose this prescription, will they inform BON?

Drug screen on Monday for new job at hospital. Really concerned about disclosing subutex maintenance. Can I ask what substances are included on the drug screen prior to submitting my specimen? I have a temporary license at this time. I am terrified that if I disclose this information, I will automatically be flagged. If I take the risk of not disclosing it, I have chance of it not being on the drug screen. Any advice?