So I am getting ready for bsn nursing school to start in the summer. One of the things that was required was a drug test. I took it without any hesitation, since I do not take any drugs. However, I did messed up before the drug test. Because of all the stress of moving, getting ready for nursing school, and personal life things my mother suggested I take one her lorazepam pill to help me calm down. I took it without hesitation because it a pretty universally used drug.
The part that I messed up at is that I took it before the drug test and it showed up. I obviously have no documentation saying that I have a prescription. So now I am kicking myself in the head and I don't know what to do.
What are the consequences for this? Will I be prevented to start? Are there any legal problems I should worry about? Can I retake it to show I am not an addict or have a problem with drugs? I am thinking of e-mailing my programs director to explain my situation and tell him "I am an idiot, I am not an addict, and I am very sorry. Please don't kick me out". Thoughts?
Maybe I am waaaaaay in the minority but I too am an illegal drug user! My husband had some Vicodin for a minor orthopedic injury. I was on vacation and had the worse sore throat you can imagine. Ten on a scale 1 - 10. So yes I took one of my husband's Vicodins. (It didn't do a thing, the whole idea of start your pain meds before the pain gets bad really applies).
And dear husband also has Ambien prescribed for him, yes I have taken an occasional Ambien!!!!!!
So call the DEA and the BON!
Off topic but I really don't like Ambien for the elderly. I see what it does to them, my husband can be so goofy, irrational, at night! Don't get me started!
Maybe I am waaaaaay in the minority but I too am an illegal drug user! My husband had some Vicodin for a minor orthopedic injury. I was on vacation and had the worse sore throat you can imagine. Ten on a scale 1 - 10. So yes I took one of my husband's Vicodins. (It didn't do a thing, the whole idea of start your pain meds before the pain gets bad really applies).
And dear husband also has Ambien prescribed for him, yes I have taken an occasional Ambien!!!!!!
So call the DEA and the BON!
Off topic but I really don't like Ambien for the elderly. I see what it does to them, my husband can be so goofy, irrational, at night! Don't get me started!
That's probably something most of us have done at one time or another. I know when I had a similar sore throat, I would have taken anyone's narcs, it was that bad.
But none of that is relevant to the OP. If she, or you, or I, do what you have described and are unlucky enough to be subsequently drug tested, we are SOL. We have a positive drug screen and none of our rationale will work to excuse us or prevent us from suffering some pretty big consequences. So the moral of the story is "Use other's prescription drugs at your own peril and don't come to AN crying about it if you do it and get busted."
I would give the OP more of a pass, though, due to her age, experience, her mother's involvement, etc.
Maybe I am waaaaaay in the minority but I too am an illegal drug user! My husband had some Vicodin for a minor orthopedic injury. I was on vacation and had the worse sore throat you can imagine. Ten on a scale 1 - 10. So yes I took one of my husband's Vicodins. (It didn't do a thing, the whole idea of start your pain meds before the pain gets bad really applies).
And dear husband also has Ambien prescribed for him, yes I have taken an occasional Ambien!!!!!!
So call the DEA and the BON!
Off topic but I really don't like Ambien for the elderly. I see what it does to them, my husband can be so goofy, irrational, at night! Don't get me started!
This thread highlights how risky that behavior is. Plus, a sudden, severe sore throat can be a symptom of serious pathology and really warrants assessment.
I have just been accepted to a BSN program. It took about 3 years of prerequisite coursework, and a very high score on the TEAS to get into the program because it is impacted and therefore extremely competitive. I have known well in advance that I will be subject to a drug test and background check. I am sure the OP also knew well in advance that he/she would also be subjected to a drug test.
The metabolite of Ativan can be found in a person's system up to 4 days after ingestion. To risk placement in a nursing program by taking a drug, any drug from any source other than a doctor shows very poor judgement. We all experience situations where anxiety can be high. It is best to learn coping skills rather than becoming dependent on anxiolytics to get through these stressful experiences. I can only imagine that the OP (and I as well) are in for many more stressful situations during schooling and a career in nursing, and I hope he/she learns the needed coping skills. I know without a doubt, that I would not be accepted into the nursing program with a failed drug test showing a metabolite of a medication that I don't have a prescription for. The nursing programs require drug tests for a reason. I am not being high and mighty, and we all have flaws and have made poor decisions, but you can't expect schools to disregard failed drug tests when there are so many highly qualified applicants that have passed their tests.
Specializes in Med Surg/ICU/Psych/Emergency/CEN/retired.
I have just been accepted to a BSN program. It took about 3 years of prerequisite coursework, and a very high score on the TEAS to get into the program because it is impacted and therefore extremely competitive. I have known well in advance that I will be subject to a drug test and background check. I am sure the OP also knew well in advance that he/she would also be subjected to a drug test.
The metabolite of Ativan can be found in a person's system up to 4 days after ingestion. To risk placement in a nursing program by taking a drug, any drug from any source other than a doctor shows very poor judgement. We all experience situations where anxiety can be high. It is best to learn coping skills rather than becoming dependent on anxiolytics to get through these stressful experiences. I can only imagine that the OP (and I as well) are in for many more stressful situations during schooling and a career in nursing, and I hope he/she learns the needed coping skills. I know without a doubt, that I would not be accepted into the nursing program with a failed drug test showing a metabolite of a medication that I don't have a prescription for. The nursing programs require drug tests for a reason. I am not being high and mighty, and we all have flaws and have made poor decisions, but you can't expect schools to disregard failed drug tests when there are so many highly qualified applicants that have passed their tests.
You might want to reach within yourself and brush up on your compassion skills. You are going to need them as you navigate through nursing school and beyond.
I respect your experience and breadth of knowledge in the field I am entering. I am a very compassionate person, and I am entering this field because of the deep desire to help people heal. That being said, I am a little surprised at the suggestions that the OP should get a backdated prescription, or that taking medications that aren't prescribed to you is something that is ok to do because many people have done it or the notion that the prohibition wasn't printed on the bottle. Do I feel bad that the OP may lose their opportunity to attend their first choice in nursing school because of making a poor decision? Of course! I know first hand how hard it is to get accepted into a program, and the idea that the OP did so much work to get to that point and they blew it is frankly heartbreaking. I do not think that precludes me from pointing out that it was a poor decision to take a medicine that wasn't prescribed, within a mere four days before a drug test that was known in advance. Also, it does not mean that the OP isn't cut out for nursing, or will not get into another program, but I do think it unlikely that the program he/she was accepted to will disregard a failed drug test. That has nothing to do with my level of compassion.
The metabolite of Ativan can be found in a person's system up to 4 days after ingestion. To risk placement in a nursing program by taking a drug, any drug from any source other than a doctor shows very poor judgement. We all experience situations where anxiety can be high. It is best to learn coping skills rather than becoming dependent on anxiolytics to get through these stressful experiences. I can only imagine that the OP (and I as well) are in for many more stressful situations during schooling and a career in nursing, and I hope he/she learns the needed coping skills. I know without a doubt, that I would not be accepted into the nursing program with a failed drug test showing a metabolite of a medication that I don't have a prescription for. The nursing programs require drug tests for a reason. I am not being high and mighty, and we all have flaws and have made poor decisions, but you can't expect schools to disregard failed drug tests when there are so many highly qualified applicants that have passed their tests.
I am a little surprised at the suggestions that the OP should get a backdated prescription, or that taking medications that aren't prescribed to you is something that is ok to do because many people have done it or the notion that the prohibition wasn't printed on the bottle. Do I feel bad that the OP may lose their opportunity to attend their first choice in nursing school because of making a poor decision? Of course! I know first hand how hard it is to get accepted into a program, and the idea that the OP did so much work to get to that point and they blew it is frankly heartbreaking. I do not think that precludes me from pointing out that it was a poor decision to take a medicine that wasn't prescribed, within a mere four days before a drug test that was known in advance. Also, it does not mean that the OP isn't cut out for nursing, or will not get into another program, but I do think it unlikely that the program he/she was accepted to will disregard a failed drug test. That has nothing to do with my level of compassion.
It's perfectly logical that a person who doesn't do drugs wouldn't know about controlled substance regulations or the half-life of metabolites. I also believe it's more likely naivete than bad judgment. Whether everyone involved should know better, they clearly didn't. MANY people don't, as evidenced by the comments on this thread.
I am similarly appalled at the idea that she attempt illegal behavior that clearly would not work - to cover up an innocent mistake with calculated wrongdoing. But I think it's uncalled for to throw out the word "dependent" when OP took one pill, and would clearly never do so again. It's a hard lesson, but I think she learned it.
"Sharing prescription medication not only is dangerous to your health, in some cases it is illegal. The Air Force's policy on drug abuse applies to the use of illicit drugs and to the wrongful use and distribution of controlled prescription medications. Controlled substances are prescription drugs with a potential for abuse that can lead to addiction and dependence.
Have you ever noticed a warning label on your prescription that says "CAUTION: Federal law prohibits the transfer of this drug to any person other than the patient for whom it was prescribed?" This shows that it is a crime to share, possess or use someone else's controlled medications. This act is punishable under Article 112a of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Wrongful use of medications may result in forfeiture of pay, loss of rank, dishonorable discharge or confinement. "
In some cases it's illegal. If it were against federal law to take someone else's rx antibiotic or allergy medication, I think the Air Force would know it. Still not saying it's smart, just saying "bad idea" is not the same thing as "crime." And I think the confusion around that issue among educated people makes it even more clear how easily a non-educated (or pre-educated) person may not know better, even with controlled substances.
A prospective nursing student takes a medication not prescribed to herself, and fails a scheduled drug test. She then comes here asking for advice. The responses she gets range from, "don't worry about it" to "get a pre-dated prescription" to "it was an innocent mistake by a naive person, and we all do it". Someone that suggested that maybe nursing wasn't the right profession for the OP was castigated by pages and pages of response. I am castigated for even suggesting it was poor judgement. I think most common lay people presented with this scenario would say it was poor judgement, so I am surprised those already in the nursing profession don't see it as such. Also, I do not see suggesting that the OP would be experiencing many more stressful situations in the future, and that it would be a good idea to work on coping skills, as a bad idea. Anxiolytics are important drugs that can be very useful. I don't think anyone would suggest becoming dependent on them is a good idea. I'm not saying the OP is dependent on drugs, I am just cautioning about becoming dependent on drugs. The one she took for anxiety is a drug that has a high chance of addiction with regular use.
I haven't read the whole string, so there may be updates I haven't seen before giving my response. That said, based on OP's original post my advice is to tell the school the truth when this hits the fan. I might even go to them in advance and explain. See if they will give you another test.
If they remove you from the program, then I would apply elsewhere and I would not disclose that I had applied to this program and been dismissed (just sayin'). I would just apply to new programs as if I was a new applicant. No need to have this follow you. And I would take the lesson from this and make sure to never do it again. If you had done this as a nurse your license could have been at stake. Good luck to you.
Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Open Heart OR Recovery, Etc.
Coming in a little late to this party, but a few thoughts.
OP knows a mistake was made. We all make them. But when it comes to these kinds of mistakes, schools of nursing and especially boards of nursing are not always so forgiving. Best to remember that for future reference.
Since you were already accepted, if this does come to someone's attention and they ask you what happened, tell the truth. In the meantime in the absence of anything else, I'd consider this a hard lesson but a lesson learned. Get ready for your program, and be grateful you found this out now, instead of later. Boards of Nursing are NOT known for accepting these types of things as "innocent mistakes".
brownbook
3,413 Posts
Maybe I am waaaaaay in the minority but I too am an illegal drug user! My husband had some Vicodin for a minor orthopedic injury. I was on vacation and had the worse sore throat you can imagine. Ten on a scale 1 - 10. So yes I took one of my husband's Vicodins. (It didn't do a thing, the whole idea of start your pain meds before the pain gets bad really applies).
And dear husband also has Ambien prescribed for him, yes I have taken an occasional Ambien!!!!!!
So call the DEA and the BON!
Off topic but I really don't like Ambien for the elderly. I see what it does to them, my husband can be so goofy, irrational, at night! Don't get me started!