IPN questions, please help!
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This is a discussion on IPN questions, please help! in Nurses / Recovery, part of General Nursing ... Hi! I have a few questions regarding the IPN program in FL. I am an RN referred to the IPN program...
by NurseNeedsHelpPlease Jan 14Hi! I have a few questions regarding the IPN program in FL. I am an RN referred to the IPN program to have an evaluation done to see if I need to be followed by the IPN program. From what I have read on these boards, unless you are ACTUALLY an addict, the IPN program is a HUGE waste of people's time, money, and career for that matter
This is very concerning to me. I am currently not working (by my choice) and dont have a lot of free money at this time, although I do wish to keep my nursing license current just in case I'd like to return to work one day.
Anyway, I am in pain management for a severe injury and several resulting back surgeries. I have weaned myself off of the pain meds as I did not care for the way they made me feel. I have not taken anything in abt 24 days. (Please note I am not saying that I will NEVER take them again in the future, just that i've not had a really super bad day in the past 24 days...) If my pain gets really bad, believe me, I know that my pain pills can be a life-saver!) Anyway, I am going to see one of the drs that the IPN program told me to go see to have the evaulation done in 2 days. I really have no clue what to expect other than I assume they will perform some sort of drug test. Does anyone know what type of drug test they will do? (UA, hair, blood, etc?) How far back do they test? Just one month? I was open and honest with my IPN coordinator and told her that I am in pain management currently but that eventhough I am perscribed meds, I refuse to take them... But like I said, 24 days ago, I NEEDED one of my pain pills.
My question regarding that is, if they did decide I need to be followed for whatever reason, what would be the point of the drug testing and etc if you already KNOW I take a needed and perscribed med?? They cannot order me to NOT take it, correct?? I'm not even working, so how would I be at risk to the community? lol.
Secondly, does anyone actually go to these evaluations, come out ok, and NOT have to sign their contracts for the IPN??? Bc from everything I've read, everyone seems to have to end up signing a contract and get followed for 2-5 years and spend a hellish amout of money and time on this program! Then, to make matters worse, they cant find jobs to pay back all the amount of money they've spent trying to keep their license in the first place!!
This has been an extrememly frustrating ordeal and I just need to hear some advice and learn what to expect from some people who have been through it. Please help!!
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Jan 16 by SouthernPointQuote from NurseNeedsHelpPleaseI am not sure where you got your information, but you are very much so incorrect. IPN will follow someone who IS NOT an ADDICT. If you are being "Referred" to IPN then there is an issue some where.Hi! I have a few questions regarding the IPN program in FL. I am an RN referred to the IPN program to have an evaluation done to see if I need to be followed by the IPN program. From what I have read on these boards, unless you are ACTUALLY an addict, the IPN program is a HUGE waste of people's time, money, and career for that matter This is very concerning to me. I am currently not working (by my choice) and dont have a lot of free money at this time, although I do wish to keep my nursing license current just in case I'd like to return to work one day.
Sorry to say, but even if you are in "Pain Management", there is NO REASON why you shouldn't be followed by IPN. You have already tossed a flag to the IPN coordinator by telling them you refuse to take your medication. That falls under being no compliant in their book. As for the evaluation. Each evaluator can do different things.Anyway, I am in pain management for a severe injury and several resulting back surgeries. I have weaned myself off of the pain meds as I did not care for the way they made me feel. I have not taken anything in abt 24 days. (Please note I am not saying that I will NEVER take them again in the future, just that i've not had a really super bad day in the past 24 days...) If my pain gets really bad, believe me, I know that my pain pills can be a life-saver!) Anyway, I am going to see one of the drs that the IPN program told me to go see to have the evaulation done in 2 days. I really have no clue what to expect other than I assume they will perform some sort of drug test. Does anyone know what type of drug test they will do? (UA, hair, blood, etc?) How far back do they test? Just one month? I was open and honest with my IPN coordinator and told her that I am in pain management currently but that eventhough I am perscribed meds, I refuse to take them... But like I said, 24 days ago, I NEEDED one of my pain pills.
If IPN finds you need to be followed, they normally will take into consideration (with documentation from your Pain Management Doctor) you course of management and whether or not you are safe to practice from the eye's of your PM Doctor, the evaluator and IPN.My question regarding that is, if they did decide I need to be followed for whatever reason, what would be the point of the drug testing and etc if you already KNOW I take a needed and perscribed med?? They cannot order me to NOT take it, correct?? I'm not even working, so how would I be at risk to the community? lol.
As for not being "Ordered" not to take it, IPN can keep you from practicing as a Nurse in the State of Florida and they can and will flip your case over to the BON if needed. I am not 100% sure how it works with nurse's who are under PM care, but I do know when I had to have surgery a couple of years back, I had to pull myself out of work for 3 weeks. I did not take any pain medication after surgery, but it was because of the medication I received during the surgery that kept IPN from giving me a return to work status.
I can say I have not see 1 person who has been referred to IPN not end up getting a contract. As for the amount of time, each case is different. But I do know that most of the 2 year contracts are for Pot or DUI's and most of the 5 year contracts are for Narcs. I haven't seen anything in between the 2 years or 5 years.Secondly, does anyone actually go to these evaluations, come out ok, and NOT have to sign their contracts for the IPN??? Bc from everything I've read, everyone seems to have to end up signing a contract and get followed for 2-5 years and spend a hellish amout of money and time on this program! Then, to make matters worse, they cant find jobs to pay back all the amount of money they've spent trying to keep their license in the first place!!
As for the cost. Again depends on the contract. But basically it's..
$50.00 yearly to IPN for membership (it's a book for CEU's you get).
Then it's $42.00 for the basic UDS (which can be 2-4 times a month, depends on your contract again).
Then there are weekly nurse support groups. It's hard to put a price on them, since they are not governed by IPN and the person running the group can basically charge you what ever they want. I have seen them run as high as $25.00 weekly.
Plus, if your contract has therapy of any type written in it. What I mean by this is if IPN is requiring you to go to see someone to talk to them.
I hope this has helped. PM me if you have any questionsThis has been an extrememly frustrating ordeal and I just need to hear some advice and learn what to expect from some people who have been through it. Please help!!
SP
