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Thanks, you're right, we have to stick together. Unfortunately, I know there are nurses out there that have beaten the system but Connecticut is VERY punitive. They do not require a split specimen so I cannot get a retest on the original specimen and it was two full weeks before I was made aware of the positive, so they say an immediate test would not be useful. I got the PEth and and additional urine done yesterday through a different lab and I'm feeling better after talking to my lawyer, but I gotta say that I resent the fact that I have to pay a retainer when I did nothing that I haven't been doing every day for the past four years and ten months. I will be grateful when this is all over and I can breathe easy again.

In my experience, schools do not compare applicant profiles. This may prevent you from attending the particular school you just got into but will probably not have any effect on your application to other schools.

Thank you so much Persephone. The toxicologist who monitors my screens suggested the same thing but I am having trouble getting the state to say they will accept the results of this test. They say, "If a test is not called for in your consent order, then we don't order it and we don't have to take it into account." I am quite sure it will be negative and you've given me that little extra drive to get this test, get a lawyer and see if I can't finish up in two months like I'm supposed to. Be well and I appreciate your expertise...

I am posting with the hope that one of you out there knows what my recourse is. I've been on a five year recovery program and am two months from finishing. I have never had a positive urine. Yesterday, the state called and stated I had tested positive for alcohol. This is crazy, as I don't drink, don't want to drink and alcohol was never my drug of choice. The cutoff for the test is 0.0020 and apparently my result was 0.0034. I strictly avoid foods and medications containing alcohol and cannot come up with a scenario where this would even be possible. They tell me I can be suspended for 45 days and that I might have to restart the program if I want to retain my license. I understand if people are skeptical of my claim, but I really didn't drink! I called the lab to request retesting and they stated they could not as the sample was exhausted during the initial testing and our state does not require split specimens. Help!

Thanks for your reply. Do you mind my asking what role you play in your facility?

Thank you so much for your support. I just found this website but I love it already! No one can understand the issue of addiction like another nurse who's lived through it and come out stronger on the other side.

I am fairly new in recovery, about 10 months and am fortunate enough to have a job. Half the time I supervise and the other half I work the floor. I have no narcotic restriction and to date have done well with the position. Almost by accident, I was interviewed for a position as a nurse educator for an LTC facility (where most of my experience is). The nice parts of the job are that it is Monday thru Friday and only on call one weekend per 8 weeks. The other nice parts are that it is 40 hours a week, day shift, flex hrs and involves little to no exposure to narcotics unless I was required to work the floor while on call. The thing that holds me back from jumping on this is that my entire career has been in bedside nursing and people respect my clinical judgement, which I am very proud of. Has anybody in recovery had to make a choice like this? I feel like it is a no brainer in terms of sobriety but I am not sure that this type of job will be as satisfying . . .