A few questions...

Cgritz77, RN · Nov 9, 2019

Hello,

Who is doing the chemical dependency evaluation? A caseworker or a psychiatrist? Also, sadly, it is difficult to further your education. I have been reaching out to colleges like crazy over the last few days to finish my BSN. There are only a few that said they would accept an encumbered license. Are you just starting in this process? Could you give some backstory? I just started the PNAP 2 months ago, but I'd like to try to help! ?

kellynn74 · Nov 9, 2019

Oh god. I took an old prescription I had in the house for shoulder injury, ran out and had my dad give me some more. But since that’s a huge no no and the board got wind of anything, my only way out of this is to do a SPAN and the PAP. They’re referring me to this recovery center for an evaluation so I’m not sure who does it. I have no idea what to expect. I know my biggest concern is keeping my liscence. But I’m a bit bitter that I have to alter my everyday life for a mistake most people in like do... d now I have to watch what I eat? I got told to use minimal hairspray? Not 1 glass of wine for a celebration for 2 years? This is nuts. I wonder if it’s all even worth it..... I go to my first “meeting” in a week and have this evaluation in a few weeks when my insurance kicks in. So I am as new as new can get. But— I’m terrified to lose the job I have now if they put stipulations on my liscence. The unknown just freaks me out. I am trying to be positive and think maybe they’ll take a lot of scenario into consideration but after reading all of the other stories. I worry that’s naive of me to think.

Cgritz77, RN · Nov 9, 2019

2 hours ago, kellynn74 said:
Oh god. I took an old prescription I had in the house for shoulder injury, ran out and had my dad give me some more. But since that’s a huge no no and the board got wind of anything, my only way out of this is to do a SPAN and the PAP. They’re referring me to this recovery center for an evaluation so I’m not sure who does it. I have no idea what to expect. I know my biggest concern is keeping my liscence. But I’m a bit bitter that I have to alter my everyday life for a mistake most people in like do... d now I have to watch what I eat? I got told to use minimal hairspray? Not 1 glass of wine for a celebration for 2 years? This is nuts. I wonder if it’s all even worth it..... I go to my first “meeting” in a week and have this evaluation in a few weeks when my insurance kicks in. So I am as new as new can get. But— I’m terrified to lose the job I have now if they put stipulations on my liscence. The unknown just freaks me out. I am trying to be positive and think maybe they’ll take a lot of scenario into consideration but after reading all of the other stories. I worry that’s naive of me to think.

Oh yeah definitely do NOT trust them!!! If you can get an attorney do it! They are not your friend. They will pretend they are, but they aren't! The best policy for the evaluation is to say as little as possible and make everything sound super positive about your life. They ask questions about substances, alcohol use, mental health, suicidal thoughts, support, your relationships, medications, etc. I hate to tell someone to lie, but do what you gotta do! Ie "I only drink on special occasions" "oh I only have 4 beers maybe" "My family/significant other/friends are very supportive" "I don't use any substances" "I think completing this program will be easy" Show them that you are a stable, functioning adult, even if you have to fake it! I'm not entirely sure on all the forbidden stuff. I don't drink or use drugs and I do read ingredient lists. I haven't worried too much about other products, but proceed with caution. I feel you on the it sucks part. I think everyone has to fully go through all the stages of grief to deal with these programs. I've just come to an acceptance of it like this is just what it is and what I have to do to get my life together. I made it through nursing school, I can make it through this. I think it helps for me to think of it as a personal challenge to myself, too, instead of something I'm being forced into. But when I found out I had to be in the program I was very very angry. I truly went through all the Kubler-Ross stages of grief. If you want you can add Valerie Arens on Facebook and ask her to add you to the Nurses in Assistance Programs group, because comiserating with others also helps and you can ask questions there too.

kellynn74 · Nov 10, 2019

Thanks SO much. I definetly will add her on fb. I do have an attorney. She said she feels positive that if I do what they’re asking of me, anything will be dismissed. I just can’t fathom going through this and altering my whole life —the time (I have 3 YOUNG kids), the money (what if I lose my job) and I don’t even have an issue. I haven’t touched anything I should in 16 months. Ugh. Just airing out my frustrations. But I worry what’s done is done, there’s no turning back now. I clearly have to do what they expect of me and that’s it. Right? This is miserable. It’s consuming every ounce of me. How are you? What’s your situation. You’ve been in for 2 months now you said..?—in which state??

Cgritz77, RN · Nov 10, 2019

46 minutes ago, kellynn74 said:
Thanks SO much. I definetly will add her on fb. I do have an attorney. She said she feels positive that if I do what they’re asking of me, anything will be dismissed. I just can’t fathom going through this and altering my whole life —the time (I have 3 YOUNG kids), the money (what if I lose my job) and I don’t even have an issue. I haven’t touched anything I should in 16 months. Ugh. Just airing out my frustrations. But I worry what’s done is done, there’s no turning back now. I clearly have to do what they expect of me and that’s it. Right? This is miserable. It’s consuming every ounce of me. How are you? What’s your situation. You’ve been in for 2 months now you said..?—in which state??

No problem! We face enough judgment with this crap. Ugh yeah just keep your head down and push through. I actually had a DUI in April 2017. So they got me for that. A first time DUI with no prior issues, but what can you do? I had a lawyer, tried to fight it, but I had to send the board's psychiatrist my medical records from 5 years back, and I have a history of depression and anxiety, so they used that stuff against me to make their decision. I think psych stuff should be private either way, but I had to sign the permission to get it or they could suspend my license. To me this is a money thing. But I'm doing alright. Trying to focus on the positive. Oh and I'm in PA.

Vern4229 · Nov 10, 2019

Hi! I live in PA. I got into the program because I told thd board I was on suboxone and in recovery. I had to see an addiction specialist psychologist to say yes I do indeed have an addiction that suboxone would be an appropriate method to help with, THEN I had to see a neuropsychologist to prove I was competent on it. Since you arent on subs, I would think you just have to see the addiction specialist. I had to pay out of pocket for all of it. Have been in the program for a year Nov 9. (Is that today??) Working since last December after being given 5 months off to "figure this out". You can ask me anything ? good luck

elephantsmakemehappy · Nov 18, 2019

Mine was pretty basic, and as advised above, I discussed my achievements and goals for the future. I emphasized my commitment to yoga and meditation as a means of coping. They need to know you have a plan in store for life’s stressors...that doesn’t include self medicating.

My best advice for the whole program is to make as few waves as possible. I typically waited to hear from the board rather than reaching out if something seemed off. I completed my contract in June.

Lawschool · Nov 19, 2019

The Texas Board has approved providers and I am so glad they do. I do not trust just anyone and I feel knowing that the board knows who they are dealing with is the best possible scenario. The evaluations include a history or medical / criminal / and any information they find necessary to reach a decision. I did not know how the process works however I am glad they have dr’s who are not scared to get involved with the Board. As for going to a psychiatrist if needed I am required to do so. My psychiatrist did not want to and declined and it was a total loss and I was ready to start looking for a new treatment facility however she changed her mind and I was thankful. I am only in tpapn for two years and I only have to work monitored for one year. The process with the board does in my opinion take way too long however I don’t know any other way to speed that process along. Right now nursing is my only future since I’ve been declined to go to law school. Hope it works out for you

catsmeow1972, BSN, RN · Nov 19, 2019

20 hours ago, Lawschool said:
The Texas Board has approved providers and I am so glad they do. I do not trust just anyone and I feel knowing that the board knows who they are dealing with is the best possible scenario. The evaluations include a history or medical / criminal / and any information they find necessary to reach a decision. I did not know how the process works however I am glad they have dr’s who are not scared to get involved with the Board. As for going to a psychiatrist if needed I am required to do so. My psychiatrist did not want to and declined and it was a total loss and I was ready to start looking for a new treatment facility however she changed her mind and I was thankful. I am only in tpapn for two years and I only have to work monitored for one year. The process with the board does in my opinion take way too long however I don’t know any other way to speed that process along. Right now nursing is my only future since I’ve been declined to go to law school. Hope it works out for you

In my state, there is nothing to be glad about them having thier approved providers, nor are these people ‘not scared’ to take on the board (actually it’s the for-profit program that you deal with, not the board.) More like the money travels in a circular route. Kickbacks, anyone?

Here you go to 1 of the maybe 3-4 options they give you (and one always seems to be Gainesville, followed by a couple of other favorites with maybe an oddball one thrown in to make the impression that you have some kind of choice in the matter. None of them take insurance (cash/credit card/2nd mortgage only) and I never saw anyone come out without some kind of contract. In my time, I also saw people (myself included) get sentenced to rehab (also only ones that they approve) for totally inappropriate reasons or for no reason at all..they were just able to stretch the truth (or straight up lie) to justify it. Since they hold people’s licenses by the cojones.......

Its not a fair or ethical process by any stretch of the imagination and as someone further up the thread stated, I wouldn’t trust any further than you could kick them.

Cgritz77, RN · Nov 19, 2019

EXACTLY! Don't try to tell me these "approved" psychiatrists don't get some kind of financial incentive by referring people to the program. Absolute bullsh!t.

catsmeow1972, BSN, RN · Nov 20, 2019

53 minutes ago, Cgritz77 said:
EXACTLY! Don't try to tell me these "approved" psychiatrists don't get some kind of financial incentive by referring people to the program. Absolute bullsh!t.

And some aren’t even psychiatrists. I’ve seen formerly defrocked docs from other specialties that regain thier license and then hang out their shingle as ‘addictionologists “ whatever the hell that is.

Perhaps this stuff was good for some people in the past but now it is nothing more than a corrupt money making machine that does more harm than good for most of its vicTims