packfan007

What state are you in? There are lots of jobs for nurses that never have to touch any meds. You would work as a consultant nurse or for pharmacovigilance. As a consultant nurse, you speak with patients and HCPs that call with questions or concerns about meds. You report adverse events that people mention to you when they call about the meds (to pharmacovigilance), discuss off-label uses of medications when the information is requested by HCPs, discuss extended stability and storage of products outside of ranges listed in the package inserts (questions like, "I received a shipment of this drug that is supposed to be kept @ 36-42 degrees and it was left on my doorstep for 24 hours. Can I use it?" All drug companies are required to report adverse events that occur after the drug is released for sale. An adverse event could be something as simple as "When I use the insulin pen, and stick myself, it hurts or bleeds, etc". Pharmacovigilance usually requires experience as a consultant nurse for a year, but I have seen them hire without experience. They have to call persons that report Adverse events and obtain additional information. They also report the information to the FDA. Anyway, I did not know that these type of jobs existed 5 years ago. The pay is fair to very good, you work 9-5ish, and you get off holidays (and paid for it). Also, you get to dress in normal work clothes and don't have to undress in the garage because you are afraid of what you may be bringing home. Don't give up! Many of the companies that hire nurses to do this type of work hire nurses with restrictions because they know that they won't quit in 6 months and go back to hands-on nursing. I hope this helps! Keep testing!

I was told the same thing from where I test.

I couldn't believe how many people came in with earwax buildup. The funniest thing was probably the gal that came in with a shampoo bottle stuck up her butt. She said that she slipped in the shower and fell on it. It was hard to keep a straight face when that X-Ray came back!

The observed tests are a pain, mostly because they cost $26 extra for every test!

EtG degrades fairly rapidly in the hair. I do know nurses that have went on cruises and were excused from testing while away. They had to submit proof of their itinerary...They were also excused from the required AA/NA meetings for that week.

In NC, if you have proper representation, you may get nothing or be a probation Screener (you will be required to take the urine tests for a time). Either way, if you can avoid the restrictions, do whatever it takes. The Drug Screens are not bad (unless you really like to drink). Go the the NCBON site and you will see that the punishment varies a bunch. I know of a nurse with 3 DUI's ond a clean nursing record. Probably the best advice is to do everything possible to get the DUI reduced to anything else!

In NC, the cost for any test is $76. NCBON changed from Labcorp to Quest this year and the price went from $50 to $76. They are also "observed" now...meaning they actually watch the urine leave your body and hit the cup.

By the way, when I was looking for work, my travel time expectations kept expanding too. I started 30 miles out, and by the time I got hired, I was looking 80 miles out. I just knew that the clock did not start ticking on my time until I started working.

I know that PPD is looking for nurses. Remember that 1 1/2 hours may be longer in the AM. They have offices in both Morrisville, and Durham. Quintiles uses an agency to hire and they are looking for PVG (pharmacovigilance) positions. There is also a company off of Aviation Parkway (Healthways) that often hires nurses. They do follow-up calls to patients after patients DC from the hospital etc.

Don't forget to look at companies like Quintiles, PPD, DSA, etc for a job as a consultant nurse. Most work 9-5 and you will find that other nurses there are in one of the programs as well. Be upfront with them and tell them that you made a mistake and have learned from it. I let them know that I am a loyal person and would reward the company that gave me a chance with tenure and great effort.

Hi, I am in NC and found a job after about 5 months after having my restricted license back. I applied at places that, before everything happened, I wouldn't have thought of working there. DUMPS...and was rejected. I found work as a consultant RN. Companies like Quintiles, PPD, Healthways, Drug Safety Alliance (DSA), etc. They won't make you rich in the short-term, but I was offered more for my knowledge there than the jobs were paying to clean up urine and vomit (around $28/hr). Some of the companies that I mentioned pay as much as $40/hr. Seeing that I was making $0 prior to applying, the money was welcome. My life got better immediately. It took me all of a week to find 3 more people working there with restrictions...and I have spoken to several more since...including supervisors. Perfect environment for recovery...no drugs, able to test (urine screens), and there are jobs available. The company is much more interested in your loyalty and tenure than your past (as long as you are able to speak on the phone and gather good information). I remember when looking for a job (and you have to get your butt up and get dressed every day or you will feel worthless) I swore that if a company gave me a chance, I would at least stay there for all 3 years and work hard to show that nurses in recovery can turn it around. Keep looking. I know that it is hard to pay the money for testing, treatment, aftercare, license, gas, resumes, food...without an income, but the offer will come when you least expect it.

Well, the good news is you won't be charged for it this month...Bad news is that you may get charged for 3 next month. I have had months where I have had only 1 test. I do believe that the randoms are random within a month, but not set up to be completely random for the year. I have been 45 days without a test, but never a calendar month without one. I just don't understand why the price went from $50 to $76. I thought it was for the "observed" testing, but the collection place where I go told me that they get less than $15 to collect it! I am thankful that I am working now. It was tough enough to pay for everything when I wasn't and the testing was $50.

I have not been tested on the 4th or Christmas, but have been tested on lesser holidays like President's day, etc. With my thinking, I just think that makes them more likely to test me on a Major in the future just because they have not yet. I have often been tested on the 5th of July, June 1st, Dec 23rd and 26th, etc... If the places that are reasonable for you to test are closed, call Firstlab and tell them.

Hi, I only have since Jan 2011 of this year to comment on the Quest Diagnostics' testing...before January, it was LabCorp doing the testing. The EtG option from LabCorp was #12 and #14. I got that about every 4th or 5th test. With Quest, I have seen the Option 2 about every 3rd or 4th test, but I started with option #2 for my first 3 tests with them. All EtG tests have been on Mondays and Fridays. I know others that have never been given an option #2. If alcohol was not on your list of things that you have abused, you may never get tested for EtG. I was really nervous at first, but I have not had a false +. Once you have a few tests under your belt, testing will just seem like part of your daily routine.

For the first year, you will be tested an average of 2 times per month. You might have a few months of 1 time, but also will have some months were you are tested 3 times. One month, I was tested 3 times in 1 week! (Probably most tests will be option 1, but if you get an option #2, that includes (I believe) an EtG test. I understand your fears because alcohol is in everything...Option 1 will not show up + for the hair products, or Purell etc. The EtG may show +. Search for Etg drbill100 and ask questions. He has an entire database on EtG testing. By the way, for years 2 and 3, the testing seemed to be a little less often as long as you call every day without exception, and don't miss any screens (and don't test +). Go to the required meetings and be active. The time will go by quickly...especially after you find a job that will accept your restrictions (if you have any).