Waiting for the Results of a Drug Test. I'm Freaking Out!

[lorenwithano]

I'm a recent nursing grad and had an interview at a great hospital about a month ago. I was offered the position and went in on January 22nd for a physical and drug testing at a facility called Concentra (I believe they have many locations around the country). Three days prior to this test, I had been around a group of people who were smoking marijuana 2 days in a row (common excuse, I know... But I have never done drugs)... Enough smoke was in the room. I was very nervous that I might not pass because I have heard second hand smoke can cause you to fail. So I took an at home drug test for marijuana and I passed it fine.

So... Back to my drug testing at Concentra. The physical went great. The MA asked me to give a urine sample to test for glucose.. I told her it may not be much because I really didn't have to use the restroom, and she said this was fine, however, I could not leave the facility until I gave a urine sample for the drug testing, otherwise it would be considered a refusal to test and I would fail. So, after the glucose test... I sat in the waiting room, and so was nervous that I wouldn't be able to provide a sample... I drank 40 ounces of juice in about 10 minutes! 45 minutes later I let the MA know I was ready. So I give my sample and it was practically water... Very clear with very little yellow. I left.

Now I know Concentra express ships samples to a place in Memphis to be analyzed... But I took the test on January 22nd and it is now February 1st and I haven't heard anything from my soon to be employer (hopefully). I am nervous about 2 things and maybe some of you can offer me some of your insight on the situation:

1. I tested positive for THC? Even though I passed the at home drug test.

2. The sample was so clear that they thought I was trying to fool the test?

3. The hospital has not called me back yet. So I am wondering how long urine drug testing usually takes.

I'm just very nervous and making myself absolutely sick over it. I don't do drugs!

Thank you everyone!

[chacmool]

Yeah... I agree. People are very opinionated about this subject and it's not cool to pass judgement on people. This chick didn't even smoke and people are already down her throat about it- give her a break! Just because friends do it, even if you don't agree with them, doesn't mean you have to get rid of them. My advice is... relax. There is absolutely nothing you can do about it until you talk to someone. Until you know anything, try not to think about it as it won't change the outcome... just make you crazy

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

Please try to keep on topic and not be personnal or we may need to close the thread for a colling down period. Thanks

[FLmomof5]

Even in IT, I have had to have a drug test for every job I have ever had. One time I had an afternoon appt. Obviously, I had already urinated a couple of times that day. When I got there, I didn't have to urinate. They gave me a large glass of water and I waited. Eventually the urge came. Like the OP, the sample was clear. I left after they processed the sample and shipped it off.

A few days later I got a call that the sample was considered too weak (a sign of someone trying to fool the test). They scheduled another appt for first thing the next morning and told me to hold it until I got there. I did. Sample was full and yellow. New test came back negative for everything and I was hired.

I was not concerned. I have never done drugs. I shared this for the OP that they may simply come back and ask for a more valid sample.

[GilaRRT]

In addition, feelings about the drugs and such are not applicable to this discussion. Obviously, I have feelings about drug use and the war on drugs. However, it is still illegal to do drugs in the United States. Until the laws change, drug use is not legal and if you engage in such activities knowing well the consequences, nothing personal, but sorry for you. In some cases, this could include willingly being around others engaging in the said activities.

We may not like it or agree with it; however, if we want to continue to work in this profession, we have to follow the law until the law changes. No witch hunting or judging here, it's simply illegal.

[lorenwithano]

so the results are in...

I PASSED THE DRUG TEST!!!!!

HR left me a message this evening and she just got stuck with loads of paperwork and didnt have a chance to call me back. THANK GOODNESS!!!!! what a stressful situation. there ya go. i didnt smoke, nor does second hand smoke cause you to fail a drug test.

thanks to all the very nice nurses who wrote me :)

[inland18mempire]

You smoked and you know it. You wouldn't have this kind of anxiety (and now relief) over a drug test if you hadn't.

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

Tay245 said:

Although I really like this site it upsets me that some people can be so judgemental. I have been in the same situation and has worried just as much if not more. I understand that as a professional you have to make better decisions but as a human being you make mistakes. The point is that you learn from your mistakes not have a bunch of people throw in your face the decision you SHOULD have made.

The point of this forum is to SUPPORT and while I know that honesty is great, making someone feel worse is truly horrible. You cannot always help who you are friends with, although you can decide the activites you participate in. I have never taken a drug in my life but I have been around people that smoke. Does that make me a bad person, I don't think so. In fact, I think it makes me a better person because I don't judge them. I won't allow myself to get in trouble because of what they do but I won't pass judgement.

Giving someone good advice - even advice they don't really want to hear, like 'stop hanging around with potheads' - is the best support you can give.

[BradleyRN]

inland18mempire said:

You smoked and you know it. You wouldn't have this kind of anxiety (and now relief) over a drug test if you hadn't.

inland18mempire said:

I do not appreciate personal attacks, which is exactly what people do when they have nothing else to say.

Maybe you should listen to your own advice, because what you have said here IS a personal attack.

[lorenwithano]

inland18mempire said:

You smoked and you know it. You wouldn't have this kind of anxiety (and now relief) over a drug test if you hadn't.

i dont really care who believes me or not. i passed because i didnt smoke... drug tests dont lie.

[Blove86]

I know how you feel!!!! Over Xmas Break, I too was around alot of weed smokers and I dont smoke anything. I was nervous as well. Well I took my drug test a couple days ago and happy to say all things were negative. I was reading somewhere that if you dont smoke your body metabolizes those things alot faster as opposed to someone who does, so you should not have anything to worry about!!