Ultram cost me my new dream job

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Jan 29, 2004

Originally posted by redshiloh
OK, but once again, what law is there that says you can be turned down for a position because you are using a non-narcotic analgesic medication?

You can be turned down and reported to the Board, if you are taking anything that can adversely affect your judgement and ability to do your job. Which means...almost any drug,- even OTCs if shown that it can affect your work..can get you popped.

The problem is that the OP took a prescription substance for which she had no script. Which is considered wrong. Doubly so as she is a nurse.and should know better. To add to that she did not report PRIOR to the screen.

ladytopaz · Jan 29, 2004

I had to take a drug test at a LTC facility that I worked for and they did not even ask me what prescription drugs if any that I was taking. Or even OTC ones.

I remember when I worked in HR about 10 yr ago, you listed every drug that you were taking, including any vitamins. I live in Ohio so I'm wondering if the laws have now changed. Or...is this due to HIPPA??

Alnamvet · Jan 30, 2004

Taking a prescriptive Rx from a co-worker/friend/acquaintance, whatever, is no different than scoring a dime of crack on the street. You took the Ultram, you got busted, shame on you. Ultram didn't do it, you are the one at fault. :rolleyes: Getover it, and move on...perhaps the medical field is not where you should be, giving the opportunity and temptations.

mattsmom81 · Jan 30, 2004

This thread really shows just how hard nurses can be on their own...and how the compassion we reserve for patients so often does is not shown for each other.

Do some of you not see how the OP phrased this? as 'don't make the same mistake I did'.... she knows what she did was wrong.

To the OP: call this a lesson learned...and I hope you get dx and treated for this hip pain soon, legally. Ibuprofen is a great drug for arthritic type pain...works just as well for me as Celebrex, Naprosyn and the like (if your pain is arthritis that is). Better find out.

And I for one wish you well personally and professionally. I've learned some tough lessons myself in life.

Dave ARNP · Jan 30, 2004

Looking at many of the posts here, it appears some have completely lost touch with reality.

Her entire reason for taking this medication could have been derrived by asking one simple question.

Did you take this medication for a reason OTHER than releif of pain, and if not, if you were NOT in pain, would you still want to keep taking it?

I think she's made clear her answer on this one.

With attitudes like this it's no WONDER why I've needed a nurse for my office for almost three months and the posts has yet been unfilled. You see, this behavior and these attitudes are completely inapprioate, and will not be tolerated in MY office.

Dave, breaking out the ol'Flame proof suit...again.

:devil: :devil:

fab4fan · Jan 30, 2004

ITA, Dave.

Do we really need to keep beating this poster down? How many of you could say for an absolute certainty that if you were in terrific pain and someone offered you something that would lessen it that you would not do the same? You really can't know for sure till you are in that situation.

What is criminal is that medical professionals are still so biased about pain mgmt. that people continue to suffer needlessly.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Jan 30, 2004

Originally posted by Alnamvet
Getover it, and move on...perhaps the medical field is not where you should be, giving the opportunity and temptations.

Why is it 99% of the time when a nurse admits a royal mistake, there's always someone to suggest that the person who made the lapse in judgement should NOT be in the medical field?

Dave ARNP · Jan 30, 2004

As always Fab, I'm humbled by your ability to gracefully spin the spin.

Very well said!

Dave

fab4fan · Jan 30, 2004

Thank you, Dave!

Alley Cat · Feb 6, 2004

Very interesting thread, folks. Lots of very valid points. Recently I had a back problem occur--woke up one morning, couldn't move. Usually can loosen up with heating pad, etc., but didn't work this time. Went to my primary care doc, gives me scripts "so you can get through work." :confused: I called in the rest of the week anyway--why would I want to risk more injury when I already am having muscle spasms that made me jerk like I was being prodded with a cattle prod? What was the Rx? Tramadol and skelaxin; doc also gave me a Rx for Percocet and said, "I don't want you to try to work with this one."

:zzzzz --DUH!

However, since I work Peds and tramadol is not something we use frequently, I wasn't familiar with it, thought it was just antiinflammatory. Imagine my surprise when it started making me sleepy (I could take the skelaxin without too much problem).

Then I started getting nauseated. I can't take codiene and any of its relatives because it makes me puke-projectile type. Not fun! What bothers me is the fact that my doc gave me a Rx when I have a documented adverse effect, even if it's not really considered an allergy.

I'm flushing the pills.

Oh, by the way, the nurse in our Employee Health informed me of the hospital policy of no narcotics within 4 hours of working a shift, and tramadol fell in that category. Wouldn't see me to give me a work release until I assured her I was off of it.

Now I do my strengthening exercises like I'm supposed to. I don't have time to be off work again, and I refuse to continue to work in pain.

wrightgd · Feb 6, 2004

Many posters here indicate that their employer or potential employer is using information from a drug screen to discriminate against them because of medical issues... That's illegal!! If it has honestly happened to you, then you should protest.

An employer only has the right to know if you are physically able to perform the job you have been offered. Not if you have high blood pressure, chronic back problems, or if you take narcotics for pain, etc... UNLESS those physical problems can cause safety concerns in the performance of your job. Even then, a hiring manager should only recieve a report stating that you are not physically qualified for the job... Release of your medical records to a hiring manager is a violation of your privacy!!! It's none of their business what's wrong with you... They only need to know if you can or if you can't do the job...

The American's with Disabilities Act was passed to prevent such discrimination against workers who have medical problems, yet can still be productive employees. As a matter of fact, if you can do the "essential functions" of the job you are offered with "reasonable accommodations" then you still can't be excluded from employment based on your physical condition alone... For example, if your facility has lift assist devices to move patients, and you have a bad back, then the use of this device is considered a "reasonable accommodation".

I'm not suggesting that discrimination doesn't happen... I'm just sayin' it aint right!

Speculating · Feb 6, 2004

Originally posted by chris_at_lucas
Am I the only one who read this and was horrified? Our credentials don't give us the privilege of self medicating when it comes to prescription meds, much less scheduled drugs.

Sheesh! Physician (or in this case, nurse), truly heal thyself: in other words, did you do what you would advise a patient to do? Next time, get care from a competent professional. Sorry, but remind me not to get sick in Argentina! Give me the US any time: clear rules and the means to follow them.

Opiates IV strong enough to damage veins and continuing to work? Not a good plan, IMHO.

It wasn't the narcs that did the vein damage. It was most certainly the IV ibuprofen. I'm sure there is a pretty good reason they don't make IV or IM ibuprofen. They are so lucky they are'nt dead for that smooth move.