TPAPN Drug Testing and Work Hours

[Callahan, RN]

I am going to speak with my CM about this in the next week or two, but I was wondering if anyone has experienced this... I will be working days for a couple of months (0645-1915) and I am wondering what I will do if selected to test on one of those days. I work in critical care, so there is no way I could leave my patients for as long as it takes to do a drug screen away from the hospital. I wouldn't doubt it if we are not allowed to leave the hospital period. I'm new, so not sure. Has anyone had a TPAPN CM that is understanding about these situations? I can't imagine that they would say "tough", but I'm again not sure. Also, Recovery Trek told me that my area has no after hours testing. The earliest open is 8am and latest close is 6pm. Oh and working days for this period of time is a requirement, otherwise I would stay on nights and avoid all this!

[HunnieBadger]

Here in North Carolina we are told no matter what, if you're chosen you go-if you don't it's an automatic fail. They couldn't give a rats booty what you have going on, they own us for the time being. Best of luck!

[Callahan, RN]

Well that is very discouraging to hear, lol! My CM is a nurse, so I would think she would understand that sometimes nurses cant leave their shifts.... what if I have a patient that keeps coding or something like that? I couldn't be like "see yall in an hour!"Maybe they would accept a drug test thru the hospital's employee health dept? Who knows. I will report back after I talk to my CM. If anyone else has been in this situation, please let me know!

[MessyMomma]

I had a coworker/friend that went through TPAPN a few years back. She actually left when she had her screens ordered, or she had a counseling/doctor's appointment, and a few times for AA meetings. We had to cover for her, but it wasn't a big deal at the time.

[Callahan, RN]

I can see an employer being okay with that with TPAPN b/c the employer already knows the nurse is in TPAPN and is subject to random drug screens. I am in the TPAPN "step-down" program, which is confidential, so my employer has no idea. Plus I just started 2 weeks ago, so it is a sticky situation.

[Callahan, RN]

I think I would be fine if I was selected to test on a work day and called the charge nurse asap to say that I won't be in until 9am. Hopefully that would go over well. Then, I will just keep my fingers crossed that I dont get selected a second time during my 2 months on days!!

[SouthernPoint]

I believe with any monitoring program, if you are selected for a UDS you "Must" go. Your employer should already know about your program or should know. If they accepted this contract as part of your employment, they need to let you go test. Is there any way you can make an appointment with the lab? Do you have COC forms? Do you think your program would accept a UDS from your employer? These are things you need to ask you CM. I know I had to have my employer do my UDS once because of staffing and other issue's, my program had no problem accepting it.

Ask the questions and don't freak yourself out. PM if you need to talk.

SP

[Callahan, RN]

My employer does not know about my random screens and that is why I am a bit anxious about getting picked on a work day. I am definitely going to ask about submitting a screen through my employer, but I wouldnt want it to get back to my manager that I was taking a random drug test at Employee Health. Also, yes, I am able to make appointments for Quest testing sites and I do have COC forms. I'm trying not to freak out, but the whole BON monitoring situation freaks me out in general! Bah! :)

[SouthernPoint]

My employer does not know about my random screens and that is why I am a bit anxious about getting picked on a work day. I am definitely going to ask about submitting a screen through my employer, but I wouldnt want it to get back to my manager that I was taking a random drug test at Employee Health. Also, yes, I am able to make appointments for Quest testing sites and I do have COC forms. I'm trying not to freak out, but the whole BON monitoring situation freaks me out in general! Bah! :)

Let me try to understand this.

You are a nurse working as a nurse and are in a state ordered program which requires monitoring and you do not need to inform your employer of this program or the program orders?

Please explain how this works? I have never heard if this.

[sissiesmama, ASN, RN]

That's what I wondered! I wasn't lucky enough to find something Ike this! Our state doesn't have that.

[Callahan, RN]

Yes, that is correct. Texas has the Extended Evaluation Program which is only between the nurse and the BON. It is one year of random drug screens.

[sissiesmama, ASN, RN]

Wow! I wish Louisiana had that when I was in the program. No help for u as far as doing the drug screen while working but hope u can figure out something.