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.
Its legal in two states for anyone, and legal for those with a prescription in many more.
Nurses have also long operated outside of the accepted norm (and sometimes laws) in order to provide care to the public.
For a nurse to not be able to think critically about the legality and harm of ETOH, and say legal = good is a shame. This forum is not about judgement of another persons trials, but to support those who are caught up in an addiction or unfortunate situation.
"Just say no" is trite, and completely misses the point of this complex societal problem.
You misunderstand me. I think it's trite to say that someone was just letting off steam or indulging on the weekends (with marijuana) and that it's not a big deal. If it's illegal, you're breaking the law. If you're subject to a drug test and you're caught, double whammy. That's kind of a big deal, don't you think? A nurse is a person who is supposed to be able to exercise critical thinking to help their patients. If they can't make those same judgments for themselves, I question that.
I actually believe that marijuana should be legal for medical purposes, but that was not the context of this "argument". We're not talking about a societal problem, or about the "just say no" to drugs mentality. What we're talking about is ONE nurse testing positive and how that's an issue for that one nurse. One of the replies just blew it off as if it's not a big deal. But it is. It's a very big deal. Just as a nurse being charged with DUI would be a big deal.
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
This forum is not about judgement of another persons trials, but to support those who are caught up in an addiction or unfortunate situation.
Well said and we who have gone through this support you - pay little or no attention to those who don't understand the testing we go through. A conventional UDS does not pick up ETOH after 24 hours however the tests taken by those in Monitoring can detect a specific metabolite of alcohol EtG for 3 to 7 days depending on you consumption and metabolism. Still legal or not Nurses should never be doing recreational drugs of any kind. Some Smoke Free hospitals in California are now testing for nicotine and will use smoking as grounds to not hire or fire someone. It is trite for someone who has no understanding of the disease of addiction to say "Just Say No." Use of MJ in nursing comes with a hefty price when it shows up in your urine. Even in those states where it is legal - nurses can and are penalized for smoking it.
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
Actually, there is no such thing as a prescription for MJ in any state. What happens is you go to a doctor who writes a note not a prescription that says "Patient may benefit from the use of Marijuana." You then go to the modern equivalent of a Head Shop to get your weed. It can still be confiscated by the police and you can still be arrested for possession. Also Court precedent has been set that even where MJ is legal an employer can still fire you for being under the influence. Plus medical Marijuana is only approved for use in treating the symptoms of 11 specific conditions.
Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Open Heart OR Recovery, Etc.
Regarding Hppy post: There are at least two Atlanta area hospitals that will not hire you if you test positive for nicotine in any form-patch, lozenges, gum included; which really sucks if you are quitting. I didn't know other states or facilities were also doing this.
IMO not allowing staff to smoke on the property is one thing. Discrimination in the hiring process is another.
If I choose to go to my car, away from others and smoke a ecig that's not harming anyone. The "second hand vape" is long gone by the time I even open my car door..... The Nicolette I may chew harms no one but me.... I understand smoke free on campuses but really?
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 hope you're joking here.
Really???? I guess the only solution to the above listed issues would be to rid hospitals of humans and only employ robots.
1sttime
299 Posts
Its legal in two states for anyone, and legal for those with a prescription in many more.
Nurses have also long operated outside of the accepted norm (and sometimes laws) in order to provide care to the public.
For a nurse to not be able to think critically about the legality and harm of ETOH, and say legal = good is a shame. This forum is not about judgement of another persons trials, but to support those who are caught up in an addiction or unfortunate situation.
"Just say no" is trite, and completely misses the point of this complex societal problem.