RNKellie51303

I had a false positive occur and have no idea what I had used/applied/consumed to make that happen. I called the MRO at my testing company and he asked me questions about my history (was I pregnant, diabetic, etc.). I have not picked up since 9-2011 and know it was nothing I did intentionally. I always make sure I can "fill the cup" so if they need to retest the urine there isn't an issue. He did however do me a favor and bump me to option #2 ( which I think covers the etg) I would request if they can always test for etg if this is a reoccurrence because with retesting comes more $$$$. Good Luck!

Thank you for your honesty! I am in similar shoes..lol. I know exactly how you feel. Didn't know if I could keep the lights on much less how I was going to pay for daycare so I could fix food at minimum wage. I became so accustomed to having a $2000-3000 check every month to being lucky if I was able to make 350/week. Paying for drug testing was always my priority though. I picked up a second job just to pay for my drug tests. I know it's depressing. Lord knows if I collected my tears through this I'd have a hundred gallons. But I will say this, the road isn't easy. It's long and hard. But if you want it bad enough it is so worth it in the end!!!!

NC here - I have been testing for almost 2 & 1/2 years. I am very lucky to have had the same woman observing me. I still have to lift my shirt and turn around but she has done it so many times that it's not embarrassing anymore. We just talk about how our weekends were and she makes me more comfortable! Good luck..you're almost there!

I luckily had PTO that covered my first month. Cashed in my 401K and when that ran out cashed my stock. I got a job working at a gas station about a month after I came out of rehab. I did what I had to do to have income coming in. Had to cut back...satellite..cell phone...luxuries...etc. I haven't had a vacation in 3 years. Only go out to eat every 3-4 months. Paying $152 to $228 a month for testing when you're only making a $1000 kind of makes going out impossible. But keep that on the top of your list(aside from your recovery)!!! I made sure, come hell or high water, I would go without before my testing was unpaid. It's not easy but it is possible. I didn't have help with daycare but there is assistance if you become low income! Good luck to you and welcome to the bright side!

Congrats to you! You have definitely given me some words of encouragement. That which doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. You may not be where you want to be but are definitely where you need to be! Good Luck to you!

Congrats to you!!!! Hopefully I will be in your shoes one day. When you ever get that urge.......just rewind the tape!!!!!!

Congratulations!!!! There is hope and I am so happy for you. LTC is rewarding, and trust me, they are easy to get attached to! Good Luck!! wtg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sassy-RN the NCBON will not allow nurses to work with substance abuse patients. I would definitely stick with dialysis, LTC, and even hospitals. The key is fining the job with the perfect fit. Definitely is not easy (2 years+ here) but will be so worth it when you do find it ...not IF.

I started to downsize the minute I lost my license (sold kids old toys, satellite cut off, traded in vehicle, refinanced loans, cut home phone off ..etc) I took a job at a gas station for 2 years making minimum wage before I found something...but I did what I had to do to get by. Good luck in your search but go with what will get you to work NOW.

So your 9 months in the program and wonder why your not working??? I didn't even get my license back until after 1 year in the program! If you got your license back already you are further along than most. Don't minimalize it..Don't separate yourself from others. We are all fighting whether we stole or not ....we are all addicts. I can tell you that I had my share of the cold shoulder given to me on hundreds of applications and interviews. The biggest piece to the whole puzzle is not to throw in the towel and not to compare your situation with others. My higher power gave me the job when he felt it was necessary for me to receive it on his time..not mine!! Good luck in your search..DON'T GIVE UP!

That is so wonderful!!! Great job!

TY everyone. I also wanted to thank you all on here. I had wonderful advice and made it through with your encouragement!!

If you're not familiar with my story just read my posts. I don't get on here very often but wanted to come back and share my experience, strength, and hope! Quick rundown of my history first: IV drug user for 2 years - started in 2009 after the birth of my first child along with the death of my mother and husband getting laid off. I diverted from sharps boxes and eventually the PYXIS. I was caught in Sep 2011 and forced to resign. Entered detox, rehab, and aftercare. Turned myself in to NC BON, license held in abeyance, and started AP program. Drug testing to this day and will for 2 more years. Got a job shortly after at Sheetz. I went to the board twice and was turned down the first time to get my license back. Got my license back in Sep 2012. Looked whole heartedly for 1 year, filled out over 100 applications, and going to approximately 30 interviews. NO ONE would hire me. They would tell me, "We like you, want to hire you, but just can't. Come back when your license isn't restricted." (Considering I had to have a nursing job to get off restriction first, I thought it was impossible to ever work again). I decided to throw in the towel if I couldn't get a job by December 31, 2013. In November I got a voicemail from my old boss who had forced me to resign saying she had a job available if I was interested and she wanted to give me another chance. I couldn't call back fast enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Long story short - too late!- The BON approved this position and I will start as Chest Pain Center Accreditation Coordinator on January 20, 2014. I am so excited and know that all my effort was worth every second. Don't EVER give up!!!!! I didn't.

just be blessed that you have a job and stick with it. 2 years clean and can't even get one!

Not sure about Texas but NC has stipulations to what jobs you can return to. I guess they see it as "you need to be monitored". I had a similar experience: had a job interview as a documentation specialist, revealed my past in my interview, got the job, and was told by the BON that I couldn't accept it because I wouldn't be supervised by licensed personnel. Not sure but they probably want you in a job as a "nurse" so you can't go around it. They are definitely not there for us!!