Screening for employment

[SN09]

I recently got hired as an RN and they want me to have a physical examination. I'm sure they will probably do the drug screening as well, not worried about that at all. However I am concerned about if they were to do an alcohol screening. Has anyone ever been tested for their alcohol level before employment???

[Fribblet]

I don't think it's too uncommon. At my recent drug screen, I had to list any and all medication taken in the last week. This included OTC medication like advil, dietary supplements, and alcohol consumed.

[smartnurse1982]

Forget the alcohol screening. What a lot of people should be worried about is employers doing credit checks. I have seen some employers I applied for positions for on my credit report. I always wondered why I didn't get the jobs despite being qualified. My score is not even bad, maybe 700.

In these tough economic times the last thing we need is using a credit score. We are applying for jobs for goodness sake,not credit.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Yes it would indeed! With that said, here's HR conducting an interview at my facility.

Doesn't everyone conduct interviews this way??????? *wine

TOO FUNNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

:lol2::lol2:

[Altra, BSN, RN]

OP -- if the employer screens for alcohol, they are screening for a blood alcohol level indicating clinical intoxication at the time of the screening.

In other words -- no one cares if you have a glass of wine with dinner every night. No one cares if you tied one on last weekend. What they do care about, is if you have a clinically significant blood alcohol level at the time that you know you are having a physical examination -- that indicates a whole different situation.

And yes, it does happen. There are lots of *currently* functional alcoholics out there.

[Flying ICU RN]

And yes, it does happen. There are lots of *currently* functional alcoholics out there.

A scary but unfortunate reality in the transportation industry as well. I've known a number of very functional Pilots as well as Air Traffic Controllers. The saying in the industry is "24 hours bottle to throttle", which used to be an even scarier "12 hours bottle to throttle."

An alcoholic (diagnosable disease) who is no longer functional, gives you plenty of warning signs when things get out of hand. The earliest signs, are the marker for outside intervention (help).