Members are discussing issues related to failed drug tests for THC and benzos, potentially due to unintentional consumption of CBD products with trace amounts of THC. They are seeking advice on dealing with employers, medical review officers, state boards of nursing, and legal implications, as well as sharing personal experiences and concerns about the consequences on their nursing careers. Some users are also highlighting the complexities of drug testing regulations, state laws, and the need for legal representation in such situations.
About 3 weeks ago, I took some CBD gummies at the local dispensary (weed in legal in Nevada) which had some THC in it. A week ago, I took a pre employment drug screen and it came out positive.
I didn't know it was going to still be in my system by then. I've been trying to read articles and research online but there is not a lot of RECENT information about nurses failing drug tests with THC in legal states.
The hiring manager was so incredibly nice to me she told me to reapply. The drug testing company never contacted me before they sent the results to them which I'm a little upset about.
I honestly thought I was in the clear.
Will they report me to the BON?
Will my license get dinged?
I'm a new grad with less than one year experience and tried these gummies for back pain when Ibuprofen didn't help. It was for a hospital job I currently work at a skilled nursing facility and they never drug tested me which I find odd?
Thanks for the response! I'm glad to hear things worked out for you the way they did. I can only hope I'll be so lucky, but I have a feeling the situation I put myself in won't as forgiving. I've only consulted with one attorney (licensed in my state), but haven't received a notice yet and don't know how it will work with the other states I have licenses in. Im not even sure how to assess which attorney would be better than another ?. My state (for license discipline) has only so many options for lawyers. I'm not at home so don't know if my notice will arrive via snail mail or not, but the waiting and the not knowing is a form of punishment in itself ?. Anyhow, thanks for the responses and support! It's nice to know there's other nurses out there who've made mistakes (regardless of the mistake) that I can talk to about my own as well. Thank you ❤️
I was on assignment in Michigan, after my assignment I spent stayed in michigan for like a week and a half where I smoked a few joints here and there. I decided to switch agencies for a better contract and I TOLD my new recruiter about my use, he didn't say anything, went got tested - popped positive so I didn't get the contract and I couldn't work with the agency, this was back in may/June of 2021. since then I've worked 2 contracts, then luckily I took a local contract and one day im checking the mail and the BON wants me to submit to a mental health/alcohol and drug abuse disorder evaluation. I hired an attorney and now I'm just waiting its bs. like get over it its just pot.
Last week, I went in for a drug screen. Unable to pee. Labcorp told me it’s OK to just come back the next day. Told my agency and they said it’s an automatic fail for my drug screen. Labcorp failed to mention that to me as well. Needless to say, I did not get my next assignment for Arizona. I did not even give a sample but it’s still considered a fail. Am I gonna get reported to the BON? Is my license going to get dinged? Making myself sick thinking about what might just happen to me. Thoughts??? Thank you!
hey y'all, so I ended up coming off a contract early November and was torn between a staff job and travel again so my family threw a real early thanksgiving, and I was drinking and when I hit tipsy I went looking for something to eat and ate a some cookies and brownies. Well I went for a pre employment drug test and ended up failing when I got the call my sister heard and told me the brownies were edibles. now I took a test a week later for a travel and passed. but the hospital called me 2 days ago and told me it would be better to self report because they were going to call IPN in a few days anyway. I called a lawyer but its gonna cost $3500.. im torn and scared and don't know what to do because I don't know what the board could do but I also don't wanna pay a lawyer and be screwed by them or the board not do anything. I need some advice please and thanks. Just a report but I have done 2 hospitals 3 travel contracts and 2 LTC with no issues.
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
58 minutes ago, thebabynurse said:
hey y'all, so I ended up coming off a contract early November and was torn between a staff job and travel again so my family threw a real early thanksgiving, and I was drinking and when I hit tipsy I went looking for something to eat and ate a some cookies and brownies. Well I went for a pre employment drug test and ended up failing when I got the call my sister heard and told me the brownies were edibles. now I took a test a week later for a travel and passed. but the hospital called me 2 days ago and told me it would be better to self report because they were going to call IPN in a few days anyway. I called a lawyer but its gonna cost $3500.. im torn and scared and don't know what to do because I don't know what the board could do but I also don't wanna pay a lawyer and be screwed by them or the board not do anything. I need some advice please and thanks. Just a report but I have done 2 hospitals 3 travel contracts and 2 LTC with no issues.
Average cost of a 5 year diversion contract $45k to 60k by the time you add up chemical dependency treatment, mandatory drug testing, support group and having the BON tell you when and where you are allowed to work and you will not be allowed to travel either. $3500 would be money well spent just make sure they specialize in professional practice issues
This is late but I got in trouble for thc early 2021 trying to get a job. I’m in an illegal state though. I got punished and am doing a year of drug screens and a fine.
HummingBrd323
12 Posts
Thanks for the response! I'm glad to hear things worked out for you the way they did. I can only hope I'll be so lucky, but I have a feeling the situation I put myself in won't as forgiving. I've only consulted with one attorney (licensed in my state), but haven't received a notice yet and don't know how it will work with the other states I have licenses in. Im not even sure how to assess which attorney would be better than another ?. My state (for license discipline) has only so many options for lawyers. I'm not at home so don't know if my notice will arrive via snail mail or not, but the waiting and the not knowing is a form of punishment in itself ?. Anyhow, thanks for the responses and support! It's nice to know there's other nurses out there who've made mistakes (regardless of the mistake) that I can talk to about my own as well. Thank you ❤️