NCBON: Is this an Invasion of privacy ?

[Got2B]

As of Jan 1, 2011 the NORTH CAROLINA BOARD OF NURSING issued this new policy for urine drug screens. Keep in mind, it is not the drug testing or even the observed collections. It is the manner in which the test is performed.

Once again, not the observed collections but the way NCBON is dictating the collection procedure. $50.00 to 76.00 that is a 52% increase.
IS this PROCEDURE done in any other states?
WHAT IS YOUR PROCEDURE, IF ANY?
Can you nurses give me all your feedback and how you feel about this procedure?
NOW, i wish I could upload all the forms that were sent to all nurses in the Alternative Program and the Chemical Dependency Discipline Program in NORTH CAROLINA.

Observed Collection Requirements

Effective January 1, 2011, all specimens collections for the NCBON participants must be directly observed. Directly observed means that you must personally and directly watch the urine go from the participants body into the collection container.
A participant's failure to comply with these requirements will be consider a refusal to test.

1. The observer must be the same gender as the NCBON participant. (The observer may be a different individual than the person serving as the specimen collector.
2. The observer must enter the restroom or facility where the urination occurs.
3. The observer will instruct the participant to RAISE HIS OR HER SHIRT, BLOUSE, OR DRESS/SKIRT, AS APPROPRIATE, ABOVE THE WAIST, JUST ABOVE THE NAVEL: AND LOWER CLOTHING AND UNDERPANTS TO MID-THIGH AND TO SHOW THE OBSERVER, BY TURNING AROUND- THAT THE PARTICIPANT IS NOT IN POSSESSION OF A PROSTHETIC OR OTHER DEVICES DESIGNED TO CARRY URINE SUBSTITUTES.
4. After the observer has determined that the participant does not have such a device, the observer may permit the participant to return clothing to its proper position and then conduct the observed collection.
5. The observer must personally and directly watch the urine pass from the participants body into the collection container.
6. Participants must adhere to all other procedures and guidelines for the Chain of Custody etc. as outlined in the enrollment packet from FirstLab.

[suebird3]

Sounds like the Job Corp. here in town. The only thing missing is the blue dye in the toilet.

[serenitypug]

Wow, don't know if I could ever pee like that! I have a hard enough time as it is!!!!

[sasto]

Invasion or not, I personally am grateful for my second chance. I would gladly do it, even if required an I/O cath! Our nature, as an active addict, is to lie, cheat, and steal. But in recovery, the key is ACCEPTANCE. NONE of us got here for being girl scout of the year. We must all accept the consequences of our actions, or we won't make it. Let this experience be a reminder of what our past actions have caused, and strive to never repeat them. Complying with what seem like harsh terms is a SMALL price to pay for the second chance the BON is giving us. I am happy to pay this price, because I want to be a great nurse, and I want to live. Love to all those that struggle, sasto.

[cali510]

The entire urine testing program is predicated on "invading" one's privacy and is part of the price you have to pay to be allowed to rejoin the game of practicing nursing. Some people just decide they can't hack all the requirements so their nursing license is gone.

[Got2B]

Thank you for all the comments on this invasive procedure.
Acceptance!!! I have accepted and accepted and accepted with grace and charm. It was a big struggle for the first years but now I try to just go with it.
Just because we are in recovery does not mean we have to be run over like a piece of road kill, talked to like we are less than human and basically be treated like dirt. We have enough shame and quilt that we live with daily.
I find recovery is about CHANGE, changing the whole person, mind, spirit and body. Learning to love ourselves, again. Treating others and ourselves with
respect and love.
I said this morning, if I can not vent and talk about things in a SAFE environment with out be ridiculed, then what are the support groups for????
This blog is about the delivery of the new policy of observed drug screens by the NORTH CAROLINA BOARD OF NURSING not about the doing the observed drugs. I would give them my blood, hair and urine at the same time if they ask me too, and I would do with a sincere smile.
This is about the copy and paste job they (NCBON) did from the DOT; Part 40- Procedure for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs (effective Oct. 1, 2010)
P 40.67 sections g thru k.
In the first letter from the NCBON, they stated that these changes are being made as a result of changes in government standards for drug testing implemented in 2008. Therefore, consistent with Federal guidelines, effective Jan 1, 2011 all urine drug screens will be performed using direct observation procedures.
If this is a Federal guideline then you nurses in other states would be doing the same thing as North Carolina, right??
I do not mind being observed for drug screens. but you guys try this new procedure the next time you go to the bathroom, keep in mind your pants will be touching the nasty bathroom floor then you are going to put them next to you body?? YUK, YUK.
Thanks for reading this and I still want your feedback.
By the way, I truly love my simple and rewarding life TODAY and I am so grateful for the what recovery has shown me and keeps showing me everyday. I can look in the mirror and love what I see today, just for today.

Got2B (me)

[hppygr8ful]

I haven't had to test for a few years and only had to be "Directly Observed" a few times following a +Etg test. I never looked at it as humiliating or invasion of privacy because when I signed the contract for the recovery program I voluntarilly gave up my privacy. I agreed to comply with all rules and regulations currently in place and those that might be put into force at any time during the term of my contract.

I read the section you cut and pasted and nowhere does it say you have to lower your pants to the floor. It says lower clothing and underpants to mid-thigh. If you are worried about pant legs touching the floor wear shorts. I really don't care of someone see's me naked - There's not much to get excited about but if they want to look I'll show them. I feel the same way about airport screenings.

Most of the places where I tested were very professional and did not perform their duty in a manner that demeaned or caused undue embarrassment. At first I was subconscious but after a while it just became a very routine procedure.

As addicts we tend to get very excited about what we preceive to be our rights. The fact is we give up our rights when we enter these recovery programs. Are these contracts and their provisions constitutional? Probably not as no person can be forced to give up their civil liberties, but since these contracts are considered voluntary it becomes a moot point. You either comply or get kicked out of the program and lose your license. You can challange it later with the BON but if you get probation you'll still have to test so what's the point of fighting it.

Sasto mentioned that recovery is about acceptance - but it is also about "SURRENDR" there is a whole section in the Big Book on the concept of surrender. It is not admitting to defeat but rather choosing not to fight so that you can concentrate on what you must do to survive.

At the place where I work someone submitted a pre-employment urine that turn out to be "Not human in origin" we never did find out what species it was, but it goes to show that people will go to great lengths to try to cheat the system.

My advice for what it's worth is to settle in and do what you are told. No matter how much the Boards want to tell you they care about your recovery the truth is they want to see how you respond when they "Yank the leash" my advice is don't give them the chance to yank it in the first place.

Peace and Namaste

Hppy

[Got2B]

hppygr8ful,
Please, do not misread me, I am accepting and surrendering, totally, to this new policy the NCBON has established. I will comply with dignity to anything they ask of me.. Keep in mind it was not easy for me for the first couple of years, then I let go and and surrendered, finally!!!
But my brain is still adjusting to being sober and clean, or at least I think it is...

Have any of you tried to this new procedure policy? IF you haven't, please try it the next time you use the bathroom. It is almost funny. I never said I had to lower my pants to the floor, but try holding a shirt up and lower your panties and pants mid-thigh, then turn a 360. I bet your pants will drop to the floor or at least mine did when I tried it.....YUK, YUK
I really do not mind or care if anyone see's my 50 yrs saggy body either.
I know the observer is just doing there job and they will be professional. They do this daily, collect observed urine's.
I am simply talking about this issue, "just what I was instructed to do from my sponsor 3 1/2 yrs ago when I got clean.
You also blogged "It is not admitting to defeat but rather choosing not to fight so that you can concentrate on what you must do to survive. "
I disagree with that part of your blog, This is part of my professional survival, or at least I thought it was. I am not wanting to challenge or fight with the Board or anyone else. I am just blogging about it and wanting to get other nurses insight and find out what other states do. I have learned to get my thoughts out ,ask for help and listen to others idea and thoughts.

You are so RIGHT about either comply with the board conditions or get kicked out and lose your license. And the North Carolina Board has NO problem removing your privilege to practice. I also loved and AGREE with your theory on the "Yank your Leash".

Thank you all for your opinions and feedback, Keep them coming.
We all have opinions about things unless you are an ANDROID.
I am smiling and laughing at some of the responses and sad about others, but i enjoy reading all of them!!!
Keep it simple and respond not react!!
Got2B

[SyckRN]

Hi Got2Be,
It is good to see one accept the consequences. I did than in the CA BRN diversion program for 4 years until my DEC consultant called me a retard. Now I have my own blog slamming the BRN.

However, I do accept the consequences of my actions...I just don't accept stigmatizing behavior from those who should know better.

I failed 3 ETGs and even though my CM said she KNEW I was sober, I got removed from patient care for two weeks. They finally realized it was the low carb (sugar alcohol) that I was newly eating. What a horrendous experience. Did you know that SAMHSA warns against using the ETG (alone) for deciding a professional has relapsed? It's not a reliable test.

Sorry, got excited when I saw the topic and went on a rant. I hope that's ok in this forum.

[cougarnurse]

Honey, this whole SITE is a virtual venting board, TRUST me! That is what our Head Honcho/Fearless Leader, Aaron C. has in mind. Figuring we are all responsible adults (within reason!), there have only been a handful of times when anyone has been really nailed for being a jerk.

We may get crazy during any given sports season, the Holi-daze, etc., but.....have at it if/when you must. In fact, I encourage it.