IPN evaluation

kmatheny · Aug 23, 2008

ipn in florida has been the biggest nightmare of my life. they will not listen

or correct any incorrect information. the contract i signed after my fl. eval., with their approved doctor was not even acknowledged. they assigned bosus groups & lab sites making my success with the ipn program

impossible. they were informed numerous times that the nurse support group assigned to me did not exist & that i could not attend or prefab a

group for my attendance. the eval doctor was aware that there was only

one such group in the panhandle area located in pensacola, fl. this was

a two hour drive from my home. he even stated that if no local group

was available we would have to depend on random drug screens & the

employer reports. 11-2005 i exhausted my efforts with ipn an trying to

communicate with them. i resigned my employment & waited to be turned

over to doh. i was in hopes to get all this straightened out. the demise

of my life awaited. with investigations, hearings and all paperwork submitted to each and everyone requesting it, not one of them submitted

any of it to my hearing. my license were suspended & a exclusions was

enforced. my original contract as per the eval doctor was one year. he

found not criteria of drug use or abuse. the ua screen that started this

was incorrect & my prescriptions were never verified by a physician. return to work immediately is what the eval stated. no diagnosis due

to no confirming reports or history of the charges, however ipn has more

authority then our own judicial system & i continue to be punished for a crime i did not commit. i remain unemployed after three years & a paper

war that has resulted in only more charges & incorrect publication of the

incorrect charges. good luck, but do not expect it. if anyone out there

knows of a law firm in florida that will try to nego., with ipn let me know.

i need to work. i like living indoors & eating real food.

sheilagh · Aug 26, 2008

I am assuming you put something on your app to the BON that required them to see you in person and the subsequent IPN eval? Be very straightforward and courteous with IPN,they can be your best friend or your worst enemy.Personally I would get any and all documentation you could from your AA sponsor,any therapists you see,any time as an inpatient...etc. Basically say yes I had a problem,but have been actively working on my recovery for 4+years and here is what proof I have.The pain in the butt thing is the fee for the eval,and the stress of going through it,but keep your head high and be PROUD of the sobriety u have accomplished!

matt2401, MSN, RN · Sep 22, 2008

Don't know where you are in the process of getting your evaluation but I can share my expierence, strength and hope with ya...

I reported myself to IPN voluntarily after I got my RN licence in August (07)I believe. If I remember right I had my evaluation about a month later. That evaluation is going to determine what contract you are offered (two year or five year, initial narc restriction or not). My advice for you is two-fold. The first I am sure you know: Be honest and forthcoming with the evaluator. If you contact me privately I can give you some suggestions with different evaluators. The second is to bring every single piece of paper that you can find that documents and proves your 4 years of sobriety. I would think that period of time would weigh heavily in your favor for your recommendations.

I have had a very positive expierence with IPN. When I started I was two months clean and sober and I have built my nursing career with the support I found in IPN. My higher power seems to give me just what I need, and no more than I can handle. In my expierence I have found the people that have the hardest time are those that can't drop the resentments and let them snowball and snowball. Basically if you do what you are supposed to you will have no problem.

Congrats on your time in recovery!

Matt

bossynurse101 · Sep 22, 2008

My exp with IPN has also been positive, and I am eternally grateful that we are blessed with an organization that advocates for us, some states dont have such an entity. As long as I was doing what I was supposed to do (not late with my evals, not missing my color, not missing groups, etc) they were a HUGE support. From what I've seen, those who try to BS their way thru (lie about going to mtgs, having a sponsor, not getting honest in group) seem to have the hardest time, and it is tough to get off of their **** list. Most of the case wkers are famiiiar with recovery and you know what they say about "it takes one to know one"! That is really great that you have such a good handle on your recovery, congrats. But remember, thier first obligation is to protect the public. That being said, you may just get a one year contract. No big deal. The eval is expensive tho. As for the atty, dont waste your money. In seven years, Ive yet to see them swayed. Feel free to pm me also, I am an IPN facilitator and am happy to share my exp, strength and hope. Good luck! :wink2:

southernbeegirl, BSN, RN · Sep 23, 2008

I'm in tennessee but I'm assuming IPN is just like our TNPAP.

I think it's natural to be nervous. Just be yourself and be completely honest.

wpnpn101 · Oct 16, 2009

hey everyone,i'm new to all this so bare with me please.i'm kinda discouraged right now because i too have an ipn contract for 5 years! i recently had to appear before the bon for an etoh issue that happened 5 years ago.i was ordered to have an evaluation which i gladly did. the evaluation was 10 mins long and 350.00. short version, had to sign contract. i realize i put myself behind the 8 ball and have to pay my dues,but i paid them all or so i thought. i hope there is people out there who understand how difficult this program can be. i am a single mom of 2 teenage alien daughters and am studying to take the nclex-pn. i know it can be done. i think i'm having a bad day. thank you for letting me vent:cry:

FLSmitty · Oct 19, 2009

Don't know where you are in the process of getting your evaluation but I can share my expierence, strength and hope with ya...
I reported myself to IPN voluntarily after I got my RN licence in August (07)I believe. If I remember right I had my evaluation about a month later. That evaluation is going to determine what contract you are offered (two year or five year, initial narc restriction or not). My advice for you is two-fold. The first I am sure you know: Be honest and forthcoming with the evaluator. If you contact me privately I can give you some suggestions with different evaluators. The second is to bring every single piece of paper that you can find that documents and proves your 4 years of sobriety. I would think that period of time would weigh heavily in your favor for your recommendations.
I have had a very positive expierence with IPN. When I started I was two months clean and sober and I have built my nursing career with the support I found in IPN. My higher power seems to give me just what I need, and no more than I can handle. In my expierence I have found the people that have the hardest time are those that can't drop the resentments and let them snowball and snowball. Basically if you do what you are supposed to you will have no problem.
Congrats on your time in recovery!
Matt

Matt has nailed two of the most important issues for someone long sober & facing an IPN evaluation: your choice of the evaluator & your recovery documentation.

Smitty

Silverdragon102, BSN · Nov 27, 2009

Please contact me as soon as you can. need advice. thanks.

This forum is for support when going through and in recovery. We can not give any legal or medical advice as per terms of service and people can offer support advice here on the forum

livefromfl · Nov 30, 2009

1. As of august 2009 I am a licensed RN in FL. I am currently working as an RN on a med/surg unit.

2. I am currently taking online classes. Both of my children have ADHD. And both have been prescribed Adderall for this. As I was doing my school work this past Tuesday morning (My day off). I was having a hard time concentrating on my studies and decided to take one of my daughter's 10mg Adderalls for the 1st time.

3. My thinking was that if it improved my studies I would simply go to my dr and take the steps to get my own prescription. The farthest thing from my mind was this is a controlled substance. It never occured to me that that it was illegal and it was an amphetamine that I was taking. I was only thinking...well, if it helps my children and they take it...what is the harm in seeing if it would help me with my studies?

4. Weds evening I was involved in a needle stick which required me to take a urine test.

5. I was more than willing to take the test wheras I don't routinely take medications that are not prescribed to me and had simply forgot about taking the medication 36 hours before hand.

6. When asked if I had been taking any medications I stated no...Once again...Honestly forgetting that I had taken anything until last night.

7. NOW...I am NERVOUSLY waiting for the results. I am really worried and don't know what to expect or do when and if the results come back positive for amphetamines.

Could you please give me an idea of what I can expect from a hospital employer?

Are employees usually fired?

Is the incident ALWAYS reported to the DOH or are some instances handled internally?

Does every incident result in automatic suspension by DOH?

Is it public record?

Do I have to be enrolled in an IPN or are there other choices?

Is the IPN ALWAYS required?

Is IPN as bad as it is made out to be in your posts?

I don't have a lot of money...Does it require a lot of money?

Trauma Columnist · Nov 30, 2009

Livefromfl - we simply can't provide you with this info - each case is handled differently. Please do not solicit advise from our members. Thanks and good luck.

davis336 · Mar 23, 2010

Hello everyone. I am beginning my journey with IPN. I am in the Fort Myers area. I have been clean for 6 months, I attend AA/NA meetings everyday. I am looking forward to attending meetings with others in healthcare. Any advice would be appreciated. By advice, I just mean anything positive based on recovery. Im not looking to manipulate the system. Thank you.