too late for PHMP? 2nd chance?

[crazin01]

I have a question if anybody has any experience with. Without a long boring story, I suffered a back injury within my first year of being a floor RN, was on long-term opiate therapy. I diverted medications twice and received papers from PNAP almost a year later. (After I diverted, I stopped myself, of course thought about it, but to me, my mind is stronger than my body. I know some may think that sounds somewhat not accepting, but that is how I was raised, and I did not do it again.)

Initially, I received paperwork in August 2013 from PNAP. I then submitted to PNAP/PHMP, met with AG investigator, signed statement admitting to diversion without legal counsel (due to financial reasons) and was detoxed off the long term opiate therapy, completed IOP, 6 UDS negative and of course had to stop working. I started outpatient nursing group & 1:1 therapy. In April 2014, my PNAP case manager said they have not yet received paperwork from me (despite me mailing contract & logs in twice). Said my case would be closed if not received next business day. I then over-nighted said paperwork with a tracking number & amazingly they received it. I became ill, missed nursing group session & my case was closed with PHMP & PNAP.

Now, my question is, (because I'm certain the diversion has gone against my license, despite the PA license verification site stating 'no disciplinary actions found') regarding a background check. I have had issues getting any job and I am certain this is why.

I am wondering if anybody else has had any experience with trying a second time with PHMP to keep background check/license clean, or is this totally out of the realm of possibility? Any input would be helpful. I know it's not to be taken as the general rule of thumb, as every case is different but just curious if anybody has had an experience somewhat similar to this. (and, I know there were nurses in my group therapy, that were enrolled in PNAP for like, the third time) But I'm more curious about my criminal background check.

Thanks for any and all information.

[june2009]

Did the institution you diverted from press charges? Have you been convicted of a crime? What kind of issues have you had getting a job...I mean what are the potential employers stating as the reason for not hiring you? If there have been no actions against your license than I don't see how any employer could know that you diverted.

I know a nurse who quit PNAP and then later decided to go through the program. She was able to sign another contract but had to start all over again, including going to rehab again, IOP, nurses group, everything. To be honest I don't know if she was able to do the VRP or if she was in the DMU the second time around. Did you have other issues while you were in PHMP? I'm not sure what you mean when you say that PHMP closed your case. It seems odd that they would close your case just because you missed a meeting.

You can be sure that if you don't contact someone from PNAP, your license will be suspended. Sometimes it takes a while, but it will happen. I also advise keeping copies of everything you send in and keep a record of every conversation and/or email you have between yourself and your case manager. Stuff gets lost on occasion and they take NO excuses.

If you want to keep your nursing license, realize that it's their way or the highway. I successfully completed with PNAP in October of 2013 and would be happy to answer any questions you might have. Keep us posted and good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Michelle

[TXRNC]

You might check your name on Nursey web site sometime it's there and some employers check.

[june2009]

What's the Nursey website? I've never heard of it.

[TXRNC]

Nursys.com it list complaints or actions against you or your license even without BON action

[crazin01]

I didn't think PA did the nursys license thing, but was able to pull up my license on there, which states active and no discipline. However, I guess the diversion is showing on my criminal background check, according to a potential employer (who was kind enough to tell me, when apparently they don't have to, legally). Michelle, do you know if that nurse who re-started PNAP was assigned the same case manager? Has anybody ever heard of being able to obtain a different CM? (I don't know if that was part of the issues of the nurse you had mentioned, but I asked for a different CM before and was denied; it may sound spiteful, but she was a huge reason behind my 'non-compliance' as she would tell me answer A to a question, my IOP therapist answer B and the next day, tell me answer C when I was attempting to clarify. This happened numerous times, and two different therapists questioned her capabilities as an effective CM).

Also, does anybody know whom I would contact, like the BON, or PHMP to try and prevent action from being taken, to save my license? I have reached out to the Attorney generals office, but have heard nothing back just yet.

Thanks again, for any info or input. :-)