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I am anurse who was just tested pos for THC as I had smoked a few weeks prior at a party. I am not a user. It was a momentary lapse in reason. Now i have been reported to the BON in Fl. An investigation has been initiated and i have been forthright with everyone regarding my pos test. I have made no excuses. I just spoke with an IPN person today for the first time. She asked all the questions and took my statement. My quandry is this, while i was fired from that job, i quickly procurred another job at anothe SNF before knowing I had been reported. I have only completed my orientation. The woman at IPN asked me if I am presently working. I told her no as I have not yet received a schedule so I am not currently working yet. My question is, can i start working since i have signed nothing and my liscence is still active? What are the ramifications if I do? Can the IPN findout if I am employed? I have a child to feed and a mortgage to pay. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you in advance. Scared to death!

Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Can you get someone to represent you?

I live in Texas, and we have the Peer Assistance Program for Nurses.....AKA TPAPN. I had a similar experience. I had a drug addict patient tell the charge nurse that I was stealing her drugs, and she was on all kinds of drugs. Klonopin, Xanax, IV Morphine/Phenergan, temazapam, and some other downer prn...I can not remember, but I was tested also for a trace of marijuana. I was put into TPAPN while I still had a job, and then lost that job, because zero tolerance means zero tolerance, and they tested me for alcohol metabolites, called the 80 hr test, two days after a beer and was fired while in the program. I had no idea how bad it could get how quickly, when TPAPN got into my life. I refused to restart TPAPN, because I no longer had a job, broke my lease and had to move in with my sister. I have had a car repossessed, had to break an apartment lease, and had to live with my parents. I still do not have a job two and a half years later after restarting the program. I check my lab status everyday online, and know whether I have been selected for testing at 60 dollars a piece, and I go 2-3 times every month for the last 27 months. They will not let me out of the program until I work for one year....and with the restrictions of TPAPN, it is not looking like that is going to happen. It does not get any easier. My credit is ruined and if I did not have my mother paying for my drug screens, then I would not have been able to afford to do this program at all. I have learned so many things in the process, and it's been a blessing overall, but something has got to give. I feel that it should be on a case by case basis, and they should drop the restrictions at two years, so I could at least get a job.

Bethany- have you tried finding a job in dialysis? it works because they don't have/give narcotics. depending on where you are, i know of a place in Texas that would probably hire you- PM me if interested.

Yes i can at $300 dollars an hour!

Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.
Yes i can at $300 dollars an hour!

Very expensive, but I am thinking you need the advice. What if that "nice" guy is actually tricking you?

What is IPN?

Talk to some lawyers. We are not lawyers here.

Don't smoke dope any more.

Good luck.

Not going to sugar coat this.

You lied. When asked if you were working you knew straight up you had a job. It doesn't matter if you had a schedule or not. You applied for a job, interviewed for it, was given an offer, filled out employment papers and went to orientation. There for you ARE employed.

Now, if you think this "NICE MAN" is on your side, you are impaired as you read this. There is NO WAY that the BON or IPN is on your side. It is not in their nature. The BON & IPN are there to protect the general public, not the Nurse. Whether you want to believe it or not, you are now marked by the BON. You told him you had a job, but no schedule. The BON will be sending a report to IPN and then IPN is going to have a discussion during their weekly meeting and it is going to come up.

When you are being investigated/evaulation phase by the BON or IPN you must refrain from working.

(From the IPN Website)

Will a nurse still be able to practice nursing while participating in the Intervention Project for Nurses (IPN)?

Initially, the nurse may be required to refrain from nursing practice during the evaluation phase and any resulting treatment. The nurse may resume nursing practice when given authorization to do so by IPN. The approval for a return to nursing practice is based upon recommendations from approved treatment providers in consultation with IPN staff. Practice limitations are often required during the early phase of return to practice.

Anyways.. You need to prepare yourself for the Hoops IPN is going to start throwing your direction. You are going to have to go see an IPN Approved Addictionologist (This can cost anywhere from $500.00 to $1,500.00 - Depends on which Doctor you pick). Once you see them, you are going to have to wait for IPN to get back to you with their decision. You are probably going to end up with a 2 year contract. Most contracts are basically the same. You are going to have to inform your employer of being in IPN as there is paperwork they will need to fill out quarterly. Now, how your employer reacts to this, since you did not openly tell them that you have been reported to the BON and IPN, I dunno. Hopefully you will be able to keep your job. You will have to either check into IPN UDS website Monday - Friday via Phone or Computer. UDS cost $42.00 for the basic one. Then you will be required to attend a weekly Nurse Support Group, then 3 AA/NA meetings a week.

I am not trying to bash you in any way. I am sorry if I have come across like that. I get that you are scared and that you have a child and bills. But I don't see how not telling the truth from the get go is worth the possibility of you losing your job over this.

What is IPN?

Talk to some lawyers. We are not lawyers here.

Don't smoke dope any more.

Good luck.

IPN: Intervention Project for Nurses Florida

keep your head up Bethany!! I am also dealing with being on a probation for my LPN license..I am 1 and a half years in to my program and I know how bad it sucks... It will get better.. Are you able to pass narcs? I finally got that privledge back after my one year mark...Good luckto you!

Nikki

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