Studentnursedgm

Thank you! I have truly learned from my past and mistakes that I made when I was younger. I'm honestly thankful to even be in clinicals, so I'll do what I have to do to get through the program. However, getting off monitoring after a year does sound nice!!

I've been in the monitoring program for 10 months. Almost completed the first year. I was told that when I complete nursing school, my case will be reviewed and the BON will determine if further monitoring is required. So all I can do is hang in there and deal with it! I know I'll appreciate my nursing license a lot more once I receive it being that I had to jump through many a hoops and hurdles to obtain it.....thanks guys!

Yes. I'll be graduating with a clean license. No restrictions whatsoever. It's just a little frustrating to have to deal with all of this while in school. I think I do deserved to be monitored for my past, but I feel like probation would be sufficient. The extreme costs of all these drug screens and collection fees is what's botherin me! Thank you guys for the positive words

I've posted in this forum before, but I'm not sure if this is the most appropriate forum, being that I am not in recovery. I am being monitored for prior arrests, not convictions. I am a student and I have 3 semesters remaining until I finish my BSN. At times I get so frustrated because this whole monitoring process is costing an arm and a leg. It's extremely hard to afford all of these drug screens and probation fees while in school. I am currently 26, and when I was 18, I was arrested on a marijuana possession. I subsequently completed a diversion program and resulted with a clean record. However, 5 years later, I got an open container ticket while at the beach with a group of friends. My point of posting this thread is out of frustration. I have no had any sort of drug abuse or dependence issues. I have never had any problems abusing alcohol. I also had to do a 3 day inpatient evaluation ordered by the board because my arrests were related to drugs or alcohol. My evaluation went beautifully, as they found what I just stated, no issues related to drugs or alcohol. However, the board still finds it necessary to drug test me 3 times per month. The stress of checking in daily, going broke on $90 drug screens, and probation fees is really taking a toll on me. I don't mean to offend anywhere or come across as snobby. I just don't believe that arrests that happened when I was younger that didn't result in convictions should be stressing me out this heavily. I have nightmares that forget to check in or that I drank a beer and failed a drug screen. Just needed to vent because I know you guys know the struggle of the financial burden and dealing with first-lab! I'm very grateful to be in clinicals, but I just wish it was a little less stressful :/ got to go take a drug screen right now! Take care!

I did not know. Thank you very much for your input!

Hello, I am student nurse at one of the universities in Louisiana. I just got a job at one of the local hospitals as a tech in the ICU. Have any of you ever worked as a tech? If so, how was it? Did you learn a good bit? I am just curious because I am so nervous because tomorrow is my first day and I'm not sure what to expect. I was told that I will be on "orientation" for a month or so, which is basically working along side of someone else who is more experienced until I get the hang of things. I guess I am intimidated because as a student doing my clinicals, the instructor is always near by to guide you and to answer questions. If anyone has anything to share about their experience working as a tech of any sort before their RN position, I would love to hear about it

Hello, I am student nurse at one of the universities in Louisiana. I just got a job at one of the local hospitals as a tech in the ICU. Have any of you ever worked as a tech? If so, how was it? Did you learn a good bit? I am just curious because I am so nervous because tomorrow is my first day and I'm not sure what to expect. I was told that I will be on "orientation" for a month or so, which is basically working along side of someone else who is more experienced until I get the hang of things. I guess I am intimidated because as a student doing my clinicals, the instructor is always near by to guide you and to answer questions. If anyone has anything to share about their experience working as a tech of any sort before their RN position, I would love to hear about it!

Well, the drought is over. I was tested yesterday for a blood PETh test for $90....yay! .....not

Thank you all. I love the positivity of this website. Things are going well! I haven't missed a check in and I've remained clean. My only concern is, I haven't been tested in 28 days! I'm starting to worry if somethig is wrong? Or is that normal? I've been monitored for 4 months, and they usually test me every 2 or so weeks. This 28 day gap has me a little concerned.....should I be?

@earthmama, were there any consequences for you not checking in? And yes, I have nightmares about using too!

Yes, I don't call in because I've read various people saying how at times their call hadn't been registered so I didn't want to take a chance. I check in on their website and take a picture of it and store it in a folder for personal record.

Hello, This isn't my first posting, but if you've missed the other ones I'll quickly fill you in. I'm a nursing student who had to go through hell to get into clinicals due to previous arrests (not convictions) . After all the consent orders and evaluations, I'm in. I'm in in clinicals and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I've learned so much already and I am really looking forward to the remainder of this journey. Right now I am ordered to login daily or call to check in with first lab. I'm sure you are all aware of first lab and how stressful it can be. As long as I stay out of trouble, stay clean, and check in daily, I'll be in the clear to graduate. I am so paranoid about missing a check in, that I have a million alarms and reminders to remind me. If I miss a check in, I could be kicked out of clinical courses. The downside is, I am nearly to the point where I have nightmares about missing check ins! I guess it's just stress? My subconscious is getting the best of me. Staying out of trouble and staying clean will not be an issue. I have worked entirely too hard to get where I am, and I still have a lot more work left to accomplish. I guess I am just looking to hear from others that have dealt with monitoring and first lab. Any positive words of encouragement would do me wonders because I'm tired of dreaming that I missed a dang check in! Anyways, as long as I check in daily, pay my fees to the bon, and do what I am supposed to be doing, I'll soon have the title of RN behind my name. I can't wait! :) I look forward to hearing from all you fellow nurses!

I've been wondering how the missed calls work in Louisiana. I am so paranoid about it, that it literally gives me nightmares about forgetting to log/call in..... I have multiple reminders and alarms on my phone to remind myself to call in.

Thanks guys. I plan to contact my case manager tomorrow since today is good ol labor day.

Hello, Since my last posting, I have enrolled with firstlab and I am in the monitoring program in LA. I am required to check in daily and I submit to random drug and alcohol screenings. I have refrained from drug use and remained completely sober but there is one thing weighing on my mind. I am aware that I am to steer away from otc meds such as nyquil, benadryl, etc. My concern is that I take ranitidine, also known as Zantac. It is the only otc medicine that I use, so I researched online making sure it is safe to take in regards to urine screens. Come to find out, ranitidine has resulted in numerous false positive for methamphetamine!!! I took a urine screen a few days ago, which I was not concerned about at all until reading about the false positive. Should I call first lab? Wait for them to contact me? I feel that more than likely I am stressing over nothing, but I have worked too hard to get where I am to allow a false positive to get in the way. Any feedback would be much appreciated.