Random drug testing

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hello all. I have just started a new job and of course you get drug tested which is fine with me. I do not take take any medications or drugs.  I have had life long anxiety and depression which is treatment resistant it seems. I have tried numerous SSRIs, SNRis, Buspar, etc. and a lot of therapy. Needless to say this has always been an issue for me personally as well as professionally my whole life. I have up and quit jobs for no reasom other than anxiety. I have had 14 jobs in 6 years and I have only managed to hold on to one per diem job for the last three years. How I am not homeless is beyond me but I have always managed to pay the rent somehow,

I have been offered Ativan along with the SSRis and the SNRis and I have always refused it as I know it can be addicting. As a last resort I am going to see a psych NP to get prescribed a very low does of PRN ativan just for the days I have to work which will be 3 days a week. I am at my wits end and I can not lose another job. 

The place I work does random drug tests. The benzo will show up in the drug screen. Will I lose my job or will having a condition needing the Ativan exempt me? It is not something I want to take but I have to keep this job. I have always had bad anxiety but the last 8 years have been the worst.

Thank You

 

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It is not illegal to take Ativan if it is prescribed for you from a licensing stand point but many hospitals will not let you take any "mood altering" drugs while on duty regardless of your diagnosis. They do not want absorb the liability if something happens. Also, you  may have difficulty with your company.

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Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.

Where are you practicing? You need to find out exactly what the law is in you state or wherever you are.Many allow you to take any drug that you have a valid and current prescription for You also need to find out what their definition of "current" is so you  can can always be in compliance. You must make certain that the drug does not effect you in such a manner as to impair your judgment and ability to function.This is where it can be a bit tricky. I would make sure to get adjusted on the drug and see how my mind and body is effected.Many people who do take narcotics and other psychoactive medications find they actually function much better as your focus is off your pain and/or anxiety or whatever the problem is.I must admit it can be a bit of a gray area but if you are drug tested you must have proof you have a valid and current RX if the law allows it. 

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IF you are tested and IF  you are positive for benzos, your company policy will decide what to do with those results. 

"prescribed a very low does of PRN ativan just for the days I have to work". What I hear you saying is, you are most anxious at work.  Have you ever worked with ativan on board?   Consider a less stressful job. Have you considered something like private duty? 

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I have anxiety regardless of where I work. 14 jobs in 6 years. Various roles. I have anxiety to the point I have not been able to have even 2 date in 24 years. I also have agoraphobia and can only go certain  places. I am a good candidate for disability but do not want to go that route at all.  I will talk to the NP about other options as well. It is absolutely miserable to feel like you are in a heightened state of anxiety all the time. 

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OP if your screen name is anything like your for-real name please ask an admin to change it for you. Employers go Google searches and the internet is forever. I haven't anything else to add except my sincere hope things work out for you.

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Specializes in Retired.

I am sorry that your anxiety is so high that you would need a drug that could compromise your job.  Are you seeing a psychopharmacologist?  You may require more expertise than a non-specialist can provide since you obviously aren't getting relief.  I assume that you are supplementing meds with cognitive therapy.

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Specializes in NICU/Mother-Baby/Peds/Mgmt.

I understand if you need this drug but the problem I see is if you make any sort of error at work there might be more problems if they know you're on it.  And in some places a bad enough error will get you drug tested.  

Edit: not saying you're going to make an error but we all know it happens....

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Specializes in oncology.
13 hours ago, Heather Winer said:

I have had 14 jobs in 6 years

I admit I am confused because what you are saying here is a direct opposite to previous posts. You worked one job for 5 years. I asked about being a traveler for a Covid assignment. Who is the real HW?

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I have had one part time to per diem job for three years. I am sorry if I confused you all. The 14 jobs were full time jobs I could not handle in the last 6 years as the anxiety went more haywire.  I did work a med surge job for 5 years from 2009-2014. Both are me. 

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Specializes in oncology.
4 minutes ago, Heather Winer said:

last 6 years as the anxiety went more haywire

Thank you for explaining things. You have had the loss of both your parents and it is so stressful when we lose them. No wonder you are anxious, plus you are looking to get back into acute care. I am glad you are looking at possible health care providers (psych NP) for solutions. I really don't know anything about antianxiety drugs but is propanolol something to ask NP about? Or Vistaril? 

Best wishes and success to you. I hope for the best for you!

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Specializes in oncology.

I have sent messages to Admin. by clicking on the triangle at the lower left corner. You can add a free text question. Hope this helps.

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