[athena77]

Hello everyone,
Recently I was put into the IPN program, I haven't even been told exactly what will take place. All I know is that I will be out of work for a period of time while going to meetings and seeing a counselor and so forth. My question to anyone out there that's either been in this situation or knows about it...how long can I expect to be out? 2-3 months???
I have not had this narcotics abuse issue for a long time and I have only been a RN for 10months. Any information would help ease this anxiety.
I have learned a huge lesson already and am willing to do whatever it takes to get better again.

Thanks,
Athena77

[OSoStressed]

When I was in Ipn as soon as I finished IOP i was given the okay to start work and in my case find a job. That is when they gave me the list of nurse support groups to attend you pick just one and go there every week for the 5 years you are in IPN. After care started after IOP and it was a year long once a week. You are required to attend 3 meetings a week while you are in IPN and expected to get a sponsor. Quarterly you have papers that your Support group facilitator, employer and any councelor you see fill out if you see one. Some groups require you to have a meeting sheet signed for a year but IPN stopped requiring it a few years ago. You call a number every day and see if your color comes up to drug test, it helps to call the same time every day so you dont forget but they only test monday thru friday. I lived in the Tampa Bay area as well but I have been out of IPN since 2006 so it may have changed since I left. Good luck and if you go with the flow and do what is expected you will do fine. It can be overwealming at first but it gets easier as you go along. It becomes a way of life and you make some good friends along the way.

Take care and good luck...

[OSoStressed]

One more thing...

Your nurse support group can be your biggest ally and is where you really find out what is expected of you. Everyone there is in the same situation and in my case helped me heal the most. I went in there crying and left smiling and proud. But when I got out I didnt work the program and I relapsed so file that where you will and again good luck.