A few questions...

Invincible summer · Nov 20, 2019

On 11/8/2019 at 10:41 PM, kellynn74 said:
Hey all. Can any of you who have had a “chemical dependency evaluation” walk me through what to expect?
And secondly— is it not allowed or extremely difficult to further your education(example: wanting to get my NP) while going through this whole horrible process? I recall seeing some posts about ppl not being able to get BSNs and stuff... thanks.

My advice is to use an evaluator who is NOT affiliated with a recovery center. There is just too much financial incentive for them to recommend stuff you don’t need. I’m in Florida and my biggest mistake was going to a recovery center instead of an independent evaluator (ie someone who had nothing to gain from recommending longer treatment than was necessary)

As far as education, it just depends on whether your license is clear. IPN in Florida protects your license so mine is unencumbered.

Lawschool · Nov 20, 2019

Oh wow.... well I personally don’t know much about that process however I have wondered about some of the providers. I honestly think I was able to go to two very good drs and was relieved because I don’t want to deal with a shady dr lol or any shady educated person for that matter. I fortunately was given a great opportunity with the program that wasn’t wildly rigorous and am able to fulfill it. I don’t mind the program however I just would like a faster turn around in the reinstatement process. Waiting years is too long and I do not think years off the table should be allowed

TravelingRN21 · Nov 20, 2019

7 hours 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.

Cgritz77 I am going through something similar in PA and I’m worried about disclosing my psych history even though I’ve been going to therapy since before my “incident.” I have a history of a hospitalization from bad ptsd from an abusive relationship and anxiety.
Did you hire a nurse attorney? Or just a dui attorney? Did you report your dui or did you get a letter from the board? And just curious, what part of the state are you from.. trying to see if I may run into the same doc for my eval. I’m closer to Pittsburgh.
I had a positive drug test for thc. I know I messed up, I hate myself for it enough. But I have been fine since. I do not drink or do any drugs. I’ve been taking drug tests monthly to help with my case.. my attorney suggested it.

I am afraid that reaching out for help is what will screw me in the end. My attorney was very optimistic until I disclosed my mental health information to him.

Lawschool · Nov 20, 2019

I was very scared and worried also however I had letters from my mental health providers in support and my evaluation doctor even spoke with my counselor since he is a psychologist and she is a counselor lpc.
I do find this scenario haunting and fell into the same boat. I just know when I was first licensed I applied at a handful of places and was turned down and quickly fell into a demise situation that basically was not my fault. I recovered but at the hands of friends that picked me back up and put me back into the working environment. The last place I worked all of a sudden teamed up on me accusing me of drugs which was fine however I was not able to afford a doctor for medication nor did the facility provide health insurance. I felt rail roaded and walked out and fell into a further demise but I was very upset and did not have good medication that I have now. I do support how this system is setup however I also had to rely on the others opinions and decisions. I think there needs to have a mediation table put in place for nursing and other professions who find themselves in similar situations.

Lawschool · Nov 20, 2019

I do know that office is immune to lawsuits including the individuals of the board I asked and the attorneys informed me I had no case to sue for any reason. My only claim was they claim to be running things

I did not dealing with a board would be like this at all... I don’t know about when they claim like inpatient and things like that? I just I know I stayed compliant with my mental health clinic

Lawschool · Nov 20, 2019

I just got in it to help other people .... I did know it would be met with opposition at hiring facilities... I don’t go back to those places... I look for new places and new people.... I don’t blind side interview any more either

Lawschool · Nov 20, 2019

There is several other things I could not figure out also....

why if you are going to endorse into a new state that requires hours worked or a refresher course you have to meet those standards... however if you are already in a state and licensed you only have to fulfill continuing education?

that part I could not figure out either

Lawschool · Nov 20, 2019

I’m just very fortunate to be located in a neighboring state in a tri state zone.... I can work out of state two days on the weekend as opposed to driving one hour near my house 5 days a week.

it’s the same driving time and same work time so I really feel there is no reason to try to leave the state of Texas unless I am asked to since it’s the exact same time frames in all retrospect

Cgritz77, RN · Nov 21, 2019

TravelingRN21 I'm also in Pa. You will most likely get Dr. ****** ******** for your eval from the board since you're from Pittsburgh. I'm about 2 hours from there, and that's where they told me to go. I hired two separate attorneys. One for the DUI and one to face the board. Your psych history will be a problem, because mine was. Your attorney should coach you about how to answer Dr. ******** questions. If it is possible, your attorney could also hire a separate psychiatrist to evaluate you to put you in a more positive light for the board. Also to answer your other question, I was contacted by PNAP when I first got a DUI then I self reported when I went to apply for my license renewal, shortly after that I received a letter from the board that I needed to answer to their allegations and submit to an eval by their psychiatrist providing him the last 5 years of all my medical records. If anything was found to be missing, I could have my license suspended. Hope this helps answer your questions and give you some direction. You can add Valerie Arens on Facebook to join a nursing support group to get more advice. Good luck! ?

TravelingRN21 · Nov 21, 2019

30 minutes ago, Cgritz77 said:
TravelingRN21 I'm also in Pa. You will most likely get Dr. ****** ******** for your eval from the board since you're from Pittsburgh. I'm about 2 hours from there, and that's where they told me to go. I hired two separate attorneys. One for the DUI and one to face the board. Your psych history will be a problem, because mine was. Your attorney should coach you about how to answer Dr. ******** questions. If it is possible, your attorney could also hire a separate psychiatrist to evaluate you to put you in a more positive light for the board. Also to answer your other question, I was contacted by PNAP when I first got a DUI then I self reported when I went to apply for my license renewal, shortly after that I received a letter from the board that I needed to answer to their allegations and submit to an eval by their psychiatrist providing him the last 5 years of all my medical records. If anything was found to be missing, I could have my license suspended. Hope this helps answer your questions and give you some direction. You can add Valerie Arens on Facebook to join a nursing support group to get more advice. Good luck! ?

I was assigned **** ******. He is a new person apparently. If you don’t mind Answering, what kind of psych history do you have? I’ve been in therapy and have been doing better. I was thinking of having my therapist write a letter on my behalf. My attorney told me to say no to pnap from the start so that’s what I did.
Also, is seeking health on your own such a bad thing? Did you give a written statement about your situation? We’re you actively seeking treatment ?