IPN question

NeedchangeofPace · Apr 11, 2009

One of the first things that made me have a "light bulb going off in my head" moment was while I was in rehab was the concept of "being honest with myself".

When our minds are cloudy with various substances we tend to lose sight of ourselves and who we really are and what we are about.

As we all know every decision we make has a consequence whether good, bad or indifferent. I think it boils down to "Is this right for me?" To me it is not a cognitive decision, but more of a "gut" decision. The cognitive part of it gets into too many hypotheticals or the what if I do this or what if I do that.

You have been given a second chance, a "do over" if you will, you have been given parameters in which to keep your license to practice, is it worth it? Is it worth it not to have a license? Is it worth it not to be honest to your self and to the IPN?* Which feels right?

Being honest with yourself over time will prove to be so much better than where you have been while you were using.

You have so little time being clean and it may seem overwhelming at times but it will get better, honest!!!

Mark

* I don't know what an IPN is, but I just love all the intials you nursing types use!! IPN, BON, DNR, o2 sats, Heparin 4 etc:smokin:

NMSSDA · Apr 12, 2009

nice feedback everyone, I was just posing a hypothetical scenario and venting a little, but I will follow my contract for sure and just keep pounding the pavement looking for those jobby-jobs!! I guess all good things happen to those who wait, right? and I'm not a user so my thoughts weren't cloudy with the initiation of these ideas, but it may be true that my frontal lobe was out on a journey of random thoughts of its own, LOL ...i just don't always see where a guy that refuses a random at work fits in to this equation at times ya know... but i guess you just got to keep your head up :) THANKS

NeedchangeofPace · Apr 12, 2009

I just wanted to add another comment to my previous post.

More often than not the truth will come back and bite you in the A$$. :twocents: *

Mark

* See us common folk can use intials too!!

exnursie · Apr 13, 2009

I'm not a user so my thoughts weren't cloudy with the initiation of these ideas, but it may be true that my frontal lobe was out on a journey of random thoughts of its own, LOL ...i just don't always see where a guy that refuses a random at work fits in to this equation at times ya know... but i guess you just got to keep your head up :) THANKS

Just curious about what you said here.... Why would someone who is not a "user" refuse to be tested and why were you asked to test???

lilycole · Apr 18, 2009

I am not a "user" and I refused a test on mere morals. I am a float nurse who normally gets along with everyone, but was sent to the psych floor a where I worked with women who for some reason had it in for me. I believe it began when the doc I date visited me on the floor, but they took a handful of minor instances, such as using the bathroom often (i was on my period) and went to the supervisor who called me in and asked me to take a test. I was so appalled I just walked out. I may lose my license for this, and yes, in hindsight it was a very stupid decision, but it had absolutly NOTHING to do with me thinking for a second I would test positve it was because I was angry. So when people question you about why you wouldn't submit if you were innocent don't worry I completely understand. Until you are put in that position you don't know how you will react.

jackstem · Apr 18, 2009

What does the hospital policy say about drug screens? Does it list the reasons why and when a tox screen can be ordered on an employee? Does it spell out when an employee may refuse to give a sample? What are the consequences of refusing to provide a sample? How long ago did this happen? Have you considered providing a hair sample to a lab familiar with chain of custody/evidence rules for forensics? Hair samples can provide information about drug use (legal and illegal) for varying amounts of time depending on the length. Most of the info I've read (Hair testing) says hair grows approximately 1/2 inch every 30 days. So, depending on the length of hair, you can have proof of not using for 3 months or more. Labcorp is probably the leading company for drug testing. Here's a link to their info about hair testing: Labcorp Hair Testing

Do you have an attorney with experience in practicing administrative law and representing nurses before the board of nursing? If not, I would get one. If the board is investigating, you need someone who knows the ins and outs of the legal process. Waiting until they ask you to sign some agreement will be too late.

Keep us posted!

Jack

exnursie · Apr 26, 2009

I have difficulty understanding why you would not have welcomed the idea to prove your innocance with a drug screen and instead walked out.

Hopefully someone will read this and not repeat this error

Dixiecup · May 25, 2009

This is from the FLA IPN Participant's Manual:
EMPLOYMENT
1. The general IPN requirements for employment are:
a. Approval from IPN for you to return/enter nursing or
CNA practice is required before you accept a new
position or return to previous employment. If you need
clarification or have questions related to appropriate
employment, please contact your IPN Case Manager.
b. You are to inform your prospective immediate supervisor
of your IPN participation prior to accepting any position
and refer the employer to your IPN Case Manager to
verify your participation and any work-related
restrictions. You are required to provide your employer
with a copy of your IPN Advocacy Contract.
c. Your nursing or CNA position must include direct
supervision by another licensed healthcare professional
(LPN cannot supervise RN) who is:
1) aware of your IPN participation
2) working on the premises or same unit
3) readily available to provide assistance
-16-
d. You must submit in writing to the IPN the name, address,
and phone number of the current place of employment
and the name of your immediate supervisor. You must
inform IPN of any changes in employment immediately
by phone and in writing within 14 days.
2. Generally, upon return to nursing or CNA practice:
a. You may not be self-employed in the healthcare field or
work for multiple employers.
b. You may not work more than forty (40) hours per week
and/or more than 84 hours bi-weekly, if working 12-hour
shifts.
c. You may not work for a staffing agency, in chemical
dependency, home hospice, home health or float
outside areas supervised by your manager.
3. IPN participants may not work in a nursing or direct patient
care position until approved to do so by IPN. Failure to adhere
to this requirement may result in dismissal from IPN and a
report will be made to DOH/FBON.
4. IPN receives recommendations based on the IPN "Return To
Work" criteria used by treatment providers when assessing the
return to work/ability to practice issue with IPN participants.
These areas for assessment are:
a. Stability in Recovery
b. Support Systems
c. Problem-solving ability
d. Cognitive functioning
e. Judgment intact
f. Ability to psychologically cope with stressful
situations
g. Decision-making ability in a crisis.
IPN will consider treatment recommendations when determining if the
nurse or CNA may resume practice.

Wow, those rules are tough! In Missouri I can work as many jobs as I want as long as each one turns in an evaluation report twice a year. I can also work all the over time I want and I normally work a lot!

catmom1, BSN, RN · May 25, 2009

I'm curious how exactly can IPN (florida) verify or track your license to verify work/that you're working where you say you are? I am new to IPN for about 5 months and having a terrible time finding a job, been turned down for 20 jobs, but i recently got hired for a Drs office who is aware of IPN status & is willing to fill out all performance & eval forms, & will suggest the lift of my narc restriction after the 6 months has passed...YET the job is very minimal and wont provide enough hours to pay the bills. Hypothetically how will IPN find out if i am working in another job? does anyone know if they have access to Dept Of Labor information or if they do a search to see what facilities have hired new, do they have ways to search where your license is being used? As far as I have been able to investigate the contract initiated with IPN for a non-BON member is soley an "on your honor" system, meaning if I dont report to them that i'm holding more than one job then i'm not sure how they can find out. I am desperate and trying to protect my home from foreclosure and have been offered another position in a nursing research facility and at other hospitals and want to take one of the jobs without disclosing IPN status so that I can actually get a job offer, yet i'm worried about how it may/can get back to IPN. if anyone has any insight i need the help as desperate measures may have to be taken. If i continue my random urines and all seems to be in compliance with the program i can be done in one year. i was only reported for declining to take a random urine screen at my last job from which i resigned unrelated to this, never had pos tests, never a drug issue but still stuck in this program to protect my license from being reported to BON....any help? can email , thanks

I understand your desperation but I sure wouldn't want to be looking over my shoulder all the time if I weren't following the terms of my contract. I am also wondering why you refused the random drug screen if you have no issue with drugs. Can you clarify this? Thanks.

Catmom :paw:

sarasidnic · Aug 21, 2009

I have a question. If you are involved with IPN what is the status of your license? Is that confidential? I know you must disclose to a potential employer but are you on a public list for all to see?

FLSmitty · Aug 21, 2009

I have a question. If you are involved with IPN what is the status of your license? Is that confidential? I know you must disclose to a potential employer but are you on a public list for all to see?

No public list exists. The status of your license can only be changed by a BON order.

davis336 · Mar 23, 2010

Hey there fellow IPN participant. Im actually getting ready to start very soon. Im in Fort myers. Any advice would be appreciated.