Addiction pnap

[Nurse8485]

I am wondering if I will be eligible for the pnap program. I have a history of addiction and I got charged with drug paraphernalia and possession it will be expunged off of my record in the next 9 months. I've received paperwork to enter the program. Please help have any other nurses went through this I've been a nurse for 11 years. I was not working under my license when this happened I've never felt a drug test and I've never worked intoxicated.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Moved to Recovery Forum

[Eris Discordia BSN, RN]

You can certainly apply. My program (not PNAP) did have a program where you could possibly get a stay of discipline. That being said, they often don't care if you were not employed, had clean tests, were not high at work, etc. I was all of the above and was granted a stay of discipline if I finished my 5 years. I had no criminal charges and wasn't diverting, just abusing my private script. Someone I work with was all of the above, but she had a criminal charge, so they did not grant her a stay of discipline. She was accepted into monitoring, but for whatever reason, they chose to discipline her and now her info is public.

I would apply regardless. These programs like to hear you take accountability for what happened and not make excuses. They love seeing that you have a specific game plan in writing to resolve your issues as well. Honestly, I'm sure they will accept you into monitoring, bit it's a total crap shoot whether they make your info public and issue discipline. With charges filed against you, you are going to be put in regardless if you want to keep your license. Some people will say lawyer up, and they may be right.

But if you are willing to be monitored regardless, I would just go ahead and get the ball rolling and apply to get things started. It's not a fast process and my personal belief is if you are guilty of the charges, it looks better to volunteer to the program versus being Board ordered.

Your mileage may vary.