Published Jun 29, 2012
afterseason, ASN, RN
189 Posts
I recently took my drug test for nursing school. The results of this and our background check are due this week, so I logged into my online account to check that everything had finished pending. I noticed that my drug screen said it was a "Negative dilute." I drink a lot of coffee and water throughout the day, but no one had given any sort of warning to hold off on consuming these before my drug test. If anything, I drank even more than usual to ensure I'd be able to produce enough of a sample. I had no idea drinking too much could lead to a result like this. The woman who adminstered the test kept my belongings with her while I tested, checked the temp after, etc, and everything was fine. She didn't comment or seem concerned about my urine being too dilute (it was quite clear, but did still have a little yellow to it). I didn't think much of this until I searched around online and realized some schools / employers consider this a positive result!! I am freaking out now. I am definitely NEGATIVE for any / all drugs and do not want anyone to think otherwise. My school did not give any sort of warning on this prior or mention their specific policy.
I have not received any sort of call or notice from the lab or school mentioning the need for a retest or what this could mean for me. I emailed my advisor last night for advice, and she did not respond at all today, which just makes me even more nervous.
Am I being paranoid? What should I do about this?
nurseprnRN, BSN, RN
1 Article; 5,116 Posts
you are being paranoid. stand down.
if they want you to repeat test, they'll ask you.
k_girl153
84 Posts
I agree. I think you are being a little paranoid. Try to relax, even though it can be tough if you are anxious.
FORTHELOVEOF!!!!
299 Posts
If they have a problem with this, they will have you retest, shouldn't be a big deal, don't freak out yet.
BostonFNP, APRN
2 Articles; 5,582 Posts
If you have nothin to worry about then don't worry! :)
If you tried to dilute on purpose, be nervous.
If you have nothin to worry about then don't worry! :)If you tried to dilute on purpose, be nervous.
I definitely didn't do anything on purpose... just trying to be healthy / hydrated. Haha. I mean, is there some way they can tell a difference of whether or not I was just overly hydrated or if I did something intentional? I hope so...
Jack245
102 Posts
I tell prospective employers, the best bet for a non-dilute urine sample for me is in the morning, because I have a hx of multiple kidney stones so I drink lots of water throughout the day. It's never been a problem.
I mean, is there some way they can tell a difference of whether or not I was just overly hydrated or if I did something intentional? ..
If you asked me this after you did a test for me I would be a tad suspicious, being honest.
As I said, nothing to worry about if you weren't covering anything! If you were, then this is a great time to kick a bad habit, you need your wits about you in this game.
If you asked me this after you did a test for me I would be a tad suspicious, being honest.As I said, nothing to worry about if you weren't covering anything! If you were, then this is a great time to kick a bad habit, you need your wits about you in this game.
Again, I wasn't covering anything... I did ask my advisor her thoughts only because if they have a re-test policy, I want to adhere to it. I am just a very OCD / neurotic person when it comes to these things.
shay&lynn, ASN, RN
397 Posts
I would be freaking out too...that's just me!
BUT, if you know you didn't do anything, just relax :)
dayanara
85 Posts
Don't worry about it. They'll just ask you to re-test. Negative dilute does not mean that you got a positive result. Good luck!
sharpeimom
2,452 Posts
i think you're panicking for nothing. i have a sort of similar story about a drug test -- but in reverse.
i had just switched anticonvulsants and was finally completely off tegretol and on just keppra. i had been
warned that keppra would probably make my urine smell horrible and strange and that it might make it turn
a rusty dark reddish-orange color. i was notified that i had to take a mandated random drug screening urine
test right then. as luck would have it, it was the very first keppra-only day, so i had no idea what to expect.
later that day, the lab called me and told my urine smelled "like nothing natural and no urine should be that color." my neuro made a quick call to the drug company who then called the lab and everything was fine.
now it's a funny story! quit worrying.