Tested positive for marijuana

allnurses Guide · Feb 17, 2016

Hello,
I've read here (allnurses)forever it seems but have never posted. I just failed a drug test. It was positive for marijuana and opiates. I took one of my husband's Percocet the day before I was tested, and I had been using weed for about 3 months previously. I had run out and since money was so tight I had decided not to buy anymore. The last time I used was 3 weeks ago.
I know this sounds sketchy but I have no reason to lie here....
Anyway, no Rx for the Percocet. I'm afraid they will suspect I was diverting. I wasn't.
I've called the BON and am waiting for a return call and am waiting for risk, the DON, and my manager to get back with me. This just happened today.
I feel like I can't breathe.
I'm in NC.
My family doesn't know yet. Including my husband.
Can someone tell me what to expect please? What should I be doing?
I can't believe I've done this; I'm the primary breadwinner. We can't survive on my husband's income.

Never mind the insanity of risking your license by smoking MJ (I'll talk about that later) I'm wondering why they tested you. Was this just a random draw from the employee pool, or did they test you because they suspected you were impaired or diverting. Even though many employer's say they do random testing it's my experience that this is rare. Here is what will likely happen - if you just had a random test and there was no grounds to accuse you of being impaired at work. You may be given the option to volunteer yourself into a monitoring program. If on the other hand your employer reports you, you may be mandated into probation or monitoring. Either way your life is about to become a whirlwind. I used to say don't hire a lawyer and just suck it up and do what's required - but theses days BON's have become very punitive so I would say if you can afford it or have malpractice insurance to cover lawyer fees you should consult with a lawyer familiar with professional practice issues.

Now on to the Marijuana question. No nurse in their right mind should be smoking marijuana. It is currently illegal in all but two states. Almost every nurse practice act requires that nurse refrain from illegal activity and/or crimes of moral turpitude. It doesn't matter if you think MJ is harmless, less damaging the alcohol or other drugs. or should be legal. Right now it's not and if you are in a drug free workplace with random testing and you smoke weed especially when you are the primary support for your family you are just asking for disaster.

Oh a don't ever take anyone else's prescribed meds!

Hppy

Editorial Team / Admin · Feb 17, 2016

Totally agree with hppy. In addition to the phone calls you've already made, you should also call your malpractice insurance carrier if you have it- you're going to want someone on your side if you end up in front of the BON. If you don't have your own insurance, call a lawyer familiar with nursing licensure.

SimplyMarie · Feb 17, 2016

Because I was stupid stupid stupid. I'm more than old enough to know better.

It was a random screen and I don't have malpractice insurance.

1sttime · Feb 19, 2016

Hey there- whats done is done- how quickly you bounce back from this is what you need to focus on now. Sorry for the above lectures- this isn't the time for that- you are human- and in the history books nothing will be written about this moment in time.

So you smoked some weed- its not a big deal to most people, you might be finding out that to your BON it is a big deal. You might have to go to rehab for this (which is horrific) but it is a hoop you will need to jump through. You will also learn something about yourself, its going to work out all right.

The Percocet, if you have your husbands script number it might not be as big a deal as if you were diverting. It will likely be "bad" as it is an unauthorized use of medication. All these rules suddenly get very strict.

I would definitely look for a free consult with an attorney, if you look for rehab make sure there is not an inpatient treatment associated with the evaluator. Make sure the evaluator is on the BON approved provider list.

Money: Can you take a loan out on your 401k? Do you have an emergency fund? I took out a 401k loan. I also got my real estate license (charge the online course to your credit card), though don't expect to bring in money right away. Maybe drive for uber?

RN employment: Hopefully your workplace has a second chance policy and treats this like a medical condition (addiction). If not you are going to have to find a friendly employer to work with stipulations if it goes there.

Anyway- don't project too far into the future- focus on what you need to do next- do it the best you can- I promise it is not the end of the world. Some of us (me) have done much much "worse" and have not only lived to tell, but I am thriving now.

feb127 · Feb 19, 2016

1sttime your amazing!!!! Your positivity is something I admire!

crj96 · Feb 23, 2016

I disagree that this isn't a big deal. Poster didn't "smoke some weed" but was smoking for three months. I used to be a regular smoker and there's no way that nurse wasn't practicing impaired in some way, shape, or form. It's a big deal for a good reason.

dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN · Feb 23, 2016

I disagree that this isn't a big deal. Poster didn't "smoke some weed" but was smoking for three months. I used to be a regular smoker and there's no way that nurse wasn't practicing impaired in some way, shape, or form. It's a big deal for a good reason.

Meh. When I hear someone say "I like to drink wine with my dinner" -- I don't assume they drink 3 bottles of wine every night, although my vodka consumption outpaced that at my worst. :)

1sttime · Feb 23, 2016

I disagree that this isn't a big deal. Poster didn't "smoke some weed" but was smoking for three months. I used to be a regular smoker and there's no way that nurse wasn't practicing impaired in some way, shape, or form. It's a big deal for a good reason.

I agree- any amount of impairment for a medical professional is not acceptable. That phone call, text, or Facebook post... taking time from your patients. Are you eating food that is clean, or do you eat stuff that leaves your brain in a fog? Have a headache: impaired. Thinking about your sick kid: impaired. I also cannot tell you how many parties I went to where the ICU nurses drank themselves stupid... yet showed up for work the next day.

When I look back at all of the acceptable forms of impairment in a hospital setting, and even the fact that it must have been obvious to a trained person that I was not myself... but the number 1 priority is filling those shifts.

My real point is that as nurses (and MD's) we are supposed to be almost monastic in our lifestyles- practicing what we preach- being zen warriors in a hectic world. Its a double standard that certain substances are vilified (and mostly for racist reasons), while others are just fine... we should all hold ourselves to a higher standard of health

crj96 · Feb 24, 2016

Alcohol is metabolized much faster than marijuana, which is why mj will show up on a drug screen up to 30 days after a person smokes it. So a person who occasionally partakes still has the drug in their system. Legality aside, if you're screening positive, you are STILL under the influence, regardless of the drug. Just don't do it - simple.

1sttime · Feb 24, 2016

Alcohol is metabolized much faster than marijuana, which is why mj will show up on a drug screen up to 30 days after a person smokes it. So a person who occasionally partakes still has the drug in their system. Legality aside, if you're screening positive, you are STILL under the influence, regardless of the drug. Just don't do it - simple.

Do you even science? ETOH can be detected for 7+ days...

Just say no is an antiquated way of looking at the world, and most certainly does not ever attach itself to ETOH.

crj96 · Feb 24, 2016

Ah yes, I guess a "just say no" to illegal activity would be antiquated for a professional nurse? You're a nurse, don't do drugs. Duh.