I feel like such a fool. I am kicking myself. Please listen to this advice so you won't make the same mistake that I have.
About 2 weeks ago, I was working and my right hip was hurting from being on my feet. I couldn't take a step with my right foot without the sharp piercing pain. A coworker gave me an Ultram she said "for arthritic pain". Thinking I did the right thing by looking it up quickly in the drug guide, I saw that it wasn't a controlled substance and I took it.
The other day I interviewed for my dream job... took a urine drug test and found out today that it was positive for tramadol.
I'm so furious! It's all my fault for thinking that little pill wouldn't hurt. I was so damn desperate to take something to help ease the pain. This sux!!!
I'm sure you won't make this mistake because we are all told not to take other people's meds. I was just trying to finish off a double shift. Never will I make this mistake again. Never:devil: !!!
When I was in college I applied for a CNA job at a children's hospital. On the day of the drug test, they didn't ask me what medications I was taking, but I knew I hadn't taken painkillers or something illegal so of course I didn't think anything of it.
Imagine my surprise when, a few days later, I had a VERY angry message from human resources waiting for me on my voicemail!!! "You must call us right away, there was a VERY serious problem with your drug screening and if you want to work here you need to explain this." WHAT?!?
When I called them back, they outright demanded my list of medications. I rattled them off (a few prescription, a few OTC) and when I said "Librax for serious nervous stomach issues" the occupational health nurse's personality did a total turnaround. She was like, "Oh, yeah, that's a mild barbituate and that's the only thing you tested positive for." I had no clue! (Forgive me, it was early on in nursing school!) All I had to do was bring in the prescription for them to see - VITAL - and all was well.
KELLYGIRL, I'm sorry you have to wait another year. That sucks, but they do have a point since you took someone else's prescription. But don't beat yourself up about it, because god knows you'll never do it again. It's not like you took someone's narcotics to get high - you were in PAIN. Not sure how long it stays in your system, but I'm sure it's totally out within a week or two.
I am seriously thinking of leaving floor nursing 4ever. Nurses are a facilities scapegoat. They don't care if they ruin your career, as long as they don't have to accept responsibilty for anything that happens as a result of burning out a nurse.
Specializes in Geriatrics/Oncology/Psych/College Health.
We used to lock up Ultram at my old facility. At my current hospital, it is treated as any other non-narcotic med and used pretty freely on our pt's who have addictions issues. Supposedly the similar drug Ultracet has less tramadol and therefore less potential for abuse, but I still don't understand the difference in the policy classification of the med from one place to the next.
I am sorry this happened. We have all occasionally done something that was innocent enough in intention at the time that comes back to bite us later.
The mistake was not having a script. Producing one (even) after the test would have protected you legally.
B]
What protects us legally may still not land us the job. Once the employer finds out what meds you take they can surmise health conditions. And employers don't have to tell us why we are not getting the job....just say 'a better applicant showed up".
Arthritis and other chronic diseases are seen as risky hires to healthcare facilities (at least in my area)
I was never called back after several drug screens...even though I assured them I had scripts for everything they would find. And Ultram was my prescribed painkiller at the time and I was also on Celebrex.
I felt I needed to disagree with some of the statements made that scripts would be the savior here in all cases. There is a bigger issue...the subtle discrimination that goes on.
I got a call from the nurse manager (my-would-be-supervisor). She asked if I had heard anything yet. I told her what happened. She said that she was going to talk to some people and talk to her boss and would get back to me this afternoon.
I'm trying not to get my hopes up. I've prayed about this asking God to guide me. Maybe I still have a chance.... BOY, have I learned my lesson!
There was talk at one point at making it a controlled subtance.
IMHO, Ultam has SERIOUS potential for abuse. I monitor its useage, just like I would a Schedule II drug.
Now, as far as your situation... it REALLY and I mean REALLY bites. I have to wonder if a facility is treating their nurses this way, how are they handling their pain patients?
I will say, however... that this isn't uncommon. I had a chronic pain patient who was refused employment because she was on Methadone and they felt she was a addict. Also had one refused employment because he was taking Duragesic.
Needless to say after a nasty phone call from the doc I work with, and myself... both of these people received their jobs and an apology.
On a side note, you need to see someone about your hip problem. Taking other peoples meds is not a solution. While I personally see it as you trying to find ANYTHING that would releive your pain, not very many nurses and clinicians would be so accepting. Good luck in finding something that will help releive your suffering.
When I was in college I applied for a CNA job at a children's hospital. On the day of the drug test, they didn't ask me what medications I was taking, but I knew I hadn't taken painkillers or something illegal so of course I didn't think anything of it.
Imagine my surprise when, a few days later, I had a VERY angry message from human resources waiting for me on my voicemail!!! "You must call us right away, there was a VERY serious problem with your drug screening and if you want to work here you need to explain this." WHAT?!?
When I called them back, they outright demanded my list of medications. I rattled them off (a few prescription, a few OTC) and when I said "Librax for serious nervous stomach issues" the occupational health nurse's personality did a total turnaround. She was like, "Oh, yeah, that's a mild barbituate and that's the only thing you tested positive for." I had no clue! (Forgive me, it was early on in nursing school!) All I had to do was bring in the prescription for them to see - VITAL - and all was well.
Gomper, I had the EXACT SAME THING happen to me, at the time of my drug screen I was also taking Librax, for my IBS.....I honestly never thought about it showing up on a drug-screen....and like you, once I explained it, it all turned out fine.....It really freaked me out though!
Specializes in Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Call Center RN.
Originally posted by cheerfuldoer
The key with taking drug test is to make sure you are totally honest about what medications you are taking on a scheduled basis and a prn basis--------even down to the OTC aspirin, tylenol, motrin, and all allergy medications.
As long as what you take is reported and listed BEFORE the drugscreening, you are protected. It's what they find in the urine that is NOT reported by you PRIOR to the drugscreening.
This is not true. Or atleast it is not true at our facility. I had taken some time off work to have my wisdom teeth removed. Turned the note into the DON. I got called in while I was off, the DON said she needed me to come in right away. I drove up there, and found out at some point there were some drugs missing, a sleeping pill of sorts. I told the DON, don't forget I'm not working because I just had surgery, and I'm taking Darvocet. She said "oh yeah, that's not a problem." Well 2 months later I got a call from the bookkeeper of the facility. She said if I did not come in right away with the prescription bottle, that the facility was going to report me to the state board of nursing. Good thing I had not taken it all. I still had the bottle sitting in the medicine cabinet. Some facilities are just horrible about stuff like that. ugh:stone
wow, I am new to this site and already I have found what I've been looking for so to speak! I've had severe IBS all my life and have never ever know another nurse who has had it...I also took Librax but it didn't work. I know live on a diet of imodium, imodium and more imodium (probably not so healthy). I've never had a problem getting PCT jobs (I graduate this May) because I've always been upfront about my Rx's as well as OTCs. Thanks for making my day!
wow, I am new to this site and already I have found what I've been looking for so to speak! I've had severe IBS all my life and have never ever know another nurse who has had it...I also took Librax but it didn't work. I know live on a diet of imodium, imodium and more imodium (probably not so healthy). I've never had a problem getting PCT jobs (I graduate this May) because I've always been upfront about my Rx's as well as OTCs. Thanks for making my day!
IBS seems to be EVERYWHERE...I have lots of patients that suffer with it too, thankfully nowadays there are more meds out there to choose from ie. Zelnorm, Bentyl, Pamine, Levbid, Levsinex...etc...Have you tried any of these??....Personally, the Bentyl works best for me.:kiss
I feel like such a fool. I am kicking myself. Please listen to this advice so you won't make the same mistake that I have.
Gompers, BSN, RN
2,691 Posts
When I was in college I applied for a CNA job at a children's hospital. On the day of the drug test, they didn't ask me what medications I was taking, but I knew I hadn't taken painkillers or something illegal so of course I didn't think anything of it.
Imagine my surprise when, a few days later, I had a VERY angry message from human resources waiting for me on my voicemail!!! "You must call us right away, there was a VERY serious problem with your drug screening and if you want to work here you need to explain this." WHAT?!?
When I called them back, they outright demanded my list of medications. I rattled them off (a few prescription, a few OTC) and when I said "Librax for serious nervous stomach issues" the occupational health nurse's personality did a total turnaround. She was like, "Oh, yeah, that's a mild barbituate and that's the only thing you tested positive for." I had no clue! (Forgive me, it was early on in nursing school!) All I had to do was bring in the prescription for them to see - VITAL - and all was well.
KELLYGIRL, I'm sorry you have to wait another year. That sucks, but they do have a point since you took someone else's prescription. But don't beat yourself up about it, because god knows you'll never do it again. It's not like you took someone's narcotics to get high - you were in PAIN. Not sure how long it stays in your system, but I'm sure it's totally out within a week or two.