IPN affecting other professional licenses.

Nurses Recovery

Published

If I am involved in the IPN for nurses, would that have any affect on any other professional license?

Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.

My husband is finally getting the jist of it after a year and a half. He no longer says things like "well, can't you just call in", etc. We removed my mom from the ventilator Sunday afternoon and I was at my Aftercare and Nurse Support group meetings Monday and Tuesday. Could I have called in and the BON, as well as the facilitators understood? Sure (in fact, the facilitators were surprised to see me). But I knew that because I wanted nothing more than to lay in bed and hide out, I needed to do the opposite and get out around my support network. And I'm very glad. I've been able to get through losing my mother (she was only 55) and not slip back into old habits. I did take a week and a half off my new job to tie up the loose ends associated with her death and help out my family with the restaurant until my sister had reinforcements show up, but then it was back to the real world. Because the worst thing, next to stuffing everything, is to sit on my pity pot and feel sorry for myself. I miss my mom terrible and sometimes, the pain is overwhelming. People in my life would understand and cut me some slack but the addict in me would use that to my advantage and take it too far. I could easily use excuses and lies during this time after her death but I would know the truth and in the end, the only person hurt by it would be me. I'm not willing to compromise my sobriety for a lie...or two. And you're right, lying is the lazy way out. It can be much harder to tell the truth to start off with but funny enough, it makes it easier in the long run! And when I find myself owning up and accepting responsibility for my actions, I feel so much better about myself as a whole. It makes it easier to love who I am and that's one of the things I appreciate about sobriety.

I apologize to the OP....didn't mean to hijack this thread to talk about myself or the loss of my mom. One of the harder habits to break (being self centered)....lol!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, hospice,homecare, admin., Neuro,.

I admire your courage:Life is good. I too lost my Mother when I was your age and unfortunately that is when my addiction took off. I relapsed after 12yrs of sobriety. I had one brief relapse during that period of 12yrs. Loosing your Mother has to be one of the hardest things a girl has to face in life. My Mother was not ready to die, I wasn't ready to let her go and it was a wrongful death on top of that. I miss here terribly. I had to grieve in recovery, years after she passed. That has been difficult since few people understand how I could still be sad. I miss her terribly. Thank you for sharing!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Wow,where to begin! First off you are so full of anger and resentment,you need to talk with someone or share at a meeting and let it go,none of it will help in your recovery and it will absolutely hinder getting a job! IPN has tough rules and regs because we are ADDICTS and ALCOHOLICS that need some stability in early recovery,and more importantly because their reason for existence is to ensure public safety! Would you want a stoned/drunk/bipolar nurse who is not monitored taking care of a loved one???

And yes IPN will find out if you are working without permission and within a few days they get an emergency order to revoke or suspend your license....I know because I have done it! Told myself I needed the money,was totally not strong in my recovery,and by the second week at work I was grabbing the demerol....PARTY!!!

That was until the cops showed up as I was being fired....oh and as my boss handed me the phone with IPN on it asking me what the hell I was doing working???

Just a suggestion,but do as they ask,jump thru the hoops,and see if along the way you don't find your sanity and a strong sobriety,which is totally worth it!~

Feel free to PM me if you ever need to talk or vent...GOOD LUCK!!!:yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am through apologizing. The only anger I HAD was against myself for going into the nursing profession. I am sorry for becoming a nurse, I am sorry for what the nursing profession has become. I am sorry for not making the choice to get out of this volatile profession sooner. You got caught AGAIN because you obviously are and always be an addict. I realize that the only reason for being invovled in IPN right now is because I need a job. I honestly do not want to be in the nursing profession. But because of the economy, and the financial stress of parcticpating in the IPN, i really do not have any other choice but to try to find a nursing job. I do not believe that NA,AA, or any other group meetings are beneficial to everyone with a drug problem. There are OTHER alternatives to self improvement that don't include self pity, regression, or reliving the past. And if the nursing profession is so caring and concerned about helping their own, they do not seem the least bit interested in giving IPN nurses a second chance. So for the amount of time required to stay in IPN could be used going back to school. Some nurses are unable to get jobs for the entire time they are in the IPN. so why even consider going back to the profession.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in icu,ccu,sicu,crna.

In MI you do UDS AT LEAST once a week sometimes twice a week for $50, for the first year, see your addictionologist once a month $75, $50/week for group therapy. I was unable to work and spending at least $500/month on treatment. The MI HPRP makes is difficult for you to work. I know more RN's not working in the program than working. I am grateful for my sobriety and serenity. Sometimes our time away from nursing can give us time to focus on our recovery and getting ourselves well before returning to work in an enviroment where relapse can be imminent. Financially I have suffered tremendously, but in every other way I am such a better place. I still love nursing and will be humbled and grateful to return to the profession I love. :yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I am through apologizing. The only anger I HAD was against myself for going into the nursing profession. I am sorry for becoming a nurse, I am sorry for what the nursing profession has become. I am sorry for not making the choice to get out of this volatile profession sooner. You got caught AGAIN because you obviously are and always be an addict. I realize that the only reason for being invovled in IPN right now is because I need a job. I honestly do not want to be in the nursing profession. But because of the economy, and the financial stress of parcticpating in the IPN, i really do not have any other choice but to try to find a nursing job. I do not believe that NA,AA, or any other group meetings are beneficial to everyone with a drug problem. There are OTHER alternatives to self improvement that don't include self pity, regression, or reliving the past. And if the nursing profession is so caring and concerned about helping their own, they do not seem the least bit interested in giving IPN nurses a second chance. So for the amount of time required to stay in IPN could be used going back to school. Some nurses are unable to get jobs for the entire time they are in the IPN. so why even consider going back to the profession.

But the IPN program is doing exactly that -- giving you a second chance. All of the various state programs for assisting impaired nurses were developed as an alternative to what all the state BONs used to do -- if you got caught, you lost your license permanently, career over, end of story, period. No alternatives or options, no second chances. Nowadays, people do have the option of working the program and getting their licenses and careers back. If you don't want to do that, you don't have to.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in icu,ccu,sicu,crna.

I'm also fortunate to have a very supportive working husband. I know many RN's who could not afford to keep in compliance and had to drop out of the program.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I know I have the choice of doing it or not. the only reason I am doing the IPN is to hopefully get a job as nurse because right now it's the only way to survive. But believe you me.. the first NON nursing job I am offered..i am going to take it..I refuse to have the IPN have control of my life.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I am through apologizing. The only anger I HAD was against myself for going into the nursing profession. I am sorry for becoming a nurse, I am sorry for what the nursing profession has become. I am sorry for not making the choice to get out of this volatile profession sooner. You got caught AGAIN because you obviously are and always be an addict. I realize that the only reason for being invovled in IPN right now is because I need a job. I honestly do not want to be in the nursing profession. But because of the economy, and the financial stress of parcticpating in the IPN, i really do not have any other choice but to try to find a nursing job. I do not believe that NA,AA, or any other group meetings are beneficial to everyone with a drug problem. There are OTHER alternatives to self improvement that don't include self pity, regression, or reliving the past. And if the nursing profession is so caring and concerned about helping their own, they do not seem the least bit interested in giving IPN nurses a second chance. So for the amount of time required to stay in IPN could be used going back to school. Some nurses are unable to get jobs for the entire time they are in the IPN. so why even consider going back to the profession.

Ditto. I have had an "ass full" of Nursing and especially Nursing in florida. I ended up in IPN after an arrest in which all charges were DISMISSED. I have NEVER had a positive drug screen anywhere because I DONT USE DRUGS. However, it seems that Florida DOH and BON dont subscribe to the "innocent until proven guilty" concept. I was ordered to be evaluated by IPN. I went to see him at gainesvile and he was and obnoxious, abrasive little prick. His nurse was a recovering addict so she was very condescending and faux understanding when I explained that I didnt use drugs and the last time I smoked marijuana was over 18 years ago. If you get ensnared in the machiinery of the IPN program and have to be evaluated you are screwed. You are considered guilty before you ever walk throught the door. Addictioin is there business and their livlihood. They see you as a lying addict in denial. Even though he wrote that i had no history legal or drug wise and that there was no evidence of drug use he still recomended that I be "monitored" ....... equals screwed. TRy finding a job now!!!! He seemed ****** off that I was on hardship and the taxpayers were paying for my eval.

Bigboy

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Labor and Delivery and skilled nursing..

I am in IPN. I have been out of work since nov of 09 and have been looking for a job. I still have narc restictions to deal with. I have been on over 15 interviews and most of them was yea we would love to ave you work here, then I said IPN and it was no mostly because of a coorporate policy of not hiring IPN nurses. Is this a trend!?! What are the furture IPN nurses going to do. I have 16 years expereince as an RN and it don't mean S...! I am thinking of leaving the state or I don't know what I will do? Does anybody have any advise? What states can I move to does anyone know?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

A little late i know but can you please share how IPN finds out if let's say you are working a prn job on the side without telling them and never get in trouble or anything like that. currently freaking out and need answers, please help.

thank you

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment