Refuse or fail hair follicle test?

Nurses Professionalism

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I Am a new nurse! I smoked marijuana pretty regularly in the past but promptly quit before taking my NCLEX(about a month ago). I am not sure whether my pre employment screening next week will be a hair test ( which I will fail) or urine ( which I will pass). So basically, I'm wondering, what should I do if it's a hair follicle test? Should I refuse and reapply at a later date? Or should I take it and likely fail and explain?

I am am done with drugs, I had failed my NCLEX previously and was just dealing in my own way! Trust me, I know it was wrong and I regret it!

Thanks!

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

If you refuse it will be presumed positive and may be reportable to the BoN. Unless working with high risk narcotics it's not likely that your potential employer will go through the expense of a hair drug test for a routine pre-employment screen.

You are on the right track by refraining from illegal narcotics moving forward and knowing the motivation behind.

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Specializes in ED RN, PEDS RN, IV NURSE.

Refusing a pre employment drug test is not reportable to the BoN.

I have never heard of any of my fellow nurses being drug tested using the hair follicle test for preemployment. It's to expensive most of the time and doesn't point to recent use. I think you will be fine. Generally speaking, it's the typical pre hospital work up. Titers and urine drug screen.

also.

If by some chance it is a hair follicle test, have them do a urine and they will see that that is neg and a thing of the past.

I would t worry.

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Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.

One of the local hospitals used to do hair testing as pre-employment as did the nursing program I used to teach at. The other facility does random urine tests on current employees.

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Specializes in Med/surg, Onc.

My organization does hair follicle tests for any patient care contact people. That includes RNs, CNAs and even the front desk check in people. They don't even bother with urine anymore for pre employment screening.

I was given a few pages of info beforehand on what the screenings were (blood and for what, and hair) ahead of time. I'd try and look up the information. Be honest about it, refusing can be a sign of admission of guilt anyhow.

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Specializes in Med/surg/ortho.

Hair follicle tests are very expensive it's highly unlikely they will do this.

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I agree with above the hair test is very pricey and I have rarely seen it used.

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