Anyone In Pa Doing "vrp"

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I Need To Know If There Is Anyone In Pa Going Through Or Have Went Through This "vrp"??? I Am About To Start And Have Heard Some Bad Things.....is It Even Worth Doing??? Help Help!!!!

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

What is vrp?

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Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.

I'm here in PA and haven't heard of it. What is "vrp"?

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I am in the same boat. I actually just refused simply for the fact that it did seem crazy for me. Long story short, I am a recovering alcoholic. I had not drank in six years until last November, I drank and was found sleeping in my car, (didn't want to drive). I actually went to see an addiction counselor for awhile (on my own), to figure out what went wrong and got myself back on track. When I went to renew my license this year, I admitted this charge and was referred to the VRP. I saw their evaluator and was going to do it, however, I recently found out that employment would be extremely limited, so I've decided not to. Doesn't seem worth it. Seems like overkill to me. Now I'm waiting to see if my license gets suspended. HELP!

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
was found sleeping in my car, (didn't want to drive). When I went to renew my license this year, I admitted this charge and was referred to the VRP. I saw their evaluator and was going to do it, however, I recently found out that employment would be extremely limited, so I've decided not to. Doesn't seem worth it. Seems like overkill to me. Now I'm waiting to see if my license gets suspended. HELP!

:cry: I hate to be the one to tell you BUT your license is in BIG trouble.Refer

to case law "Michael M. ______ RN VS State Board of Nursing " in PA. The

opinion in this case was written by Judge Dan Pellegrini and is posted online.Google search this case and you`ll find that old Mike here got a DUI and was reported by the ARD program to The State Board where they offered him a VRP program which he violated.He did not contest the fact

that he violated the program but That the BOARD of Nursing had no authority to force him into a VRP aggreement for a second degree misdemeanor and that the Board could only act on a felony.He also contended that he could practice his profession safely dispite his use of

alcohol and presented witnesses to attest to that fact.Mike lost his appeal

and the State Board suspended his license for 3 years.How do I know all

of this ...I`am in the VRP program and it`s really not that bad. If you read the case Mike was returned to work without restrictions 89 days after the Agreement with the State.Prior Counseling was also credited to his 3 years with the program. If they offer you the VRP I suggest you take it, the alternative is much worse.As for mentioning the CASE, the case is a matter of public record and posted online where anyone can read it .Don`t flame me, I didn`t post it . Just Google 'VRP PA" and youl`ll get it.If you have trouble finding it I`ll post the URL. its a PDF file. Good Luck!

Sober CRNA

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
I'm here in PA and haven't heard of it. What is "vrp"?

Hi Kitty, VRP stands for Voluntary Recovery Program. It is a program thats

run by the Board of Nursing in PA. It was created as a result of ammendments to 11 professional practice and title acts in 1986 addressing

the issue of the impaired professional.Professionals suffering from a physical or mental impairment, such as Chemical Dependency, can be directed to apprioriate treatment and recieve monitoring to ensure that they remain capable of preceeding safely. The program lasts for 3 years

and when completed the record of being in the program is removed as well

as the complaint that started it. It consists of monitoring counseling,AA or NA meetings, prescription management ect. If a person violates the VRP agreement his or her license is put into a disiplanary situation where it can either be suspended or revoked.

Sober CRNA

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Hello.....Responding to 'Anyone in PA Doing ''vrp''.

My name is Bernie.....I self-enrolled in VRP after spending 3 Months in an Excellent Rehab. I entered the Rehab as suggested by MD, therapist and others, after I failed an attempt to 'go cold turkey'.....hoping to end my 'dependence' on Prescribed Oxycontin for a Chronic Pain Medical Condition. Upon successful completion of the Program and Freedom from the Prescribed Oxy, It was strongly suggested to me by both the Staff at the Rehab and my Out Patient therapist to Contact VRP and 'Self-Enroll' in their Program for the Distinct purpose of being in the position to provide a history (after the rehab) of 'Clean' random Urine Drug tests, in the event my prior admission to a 'Rehab' be questioned and place a concern as to my ability to Practice Safely. In other words, as most admissions to a 'Rehab' follow a struggle with 'Addiction' or 'Abuse' of Mind altering chemicals, I could expect that the possibility exists wherein, ignorant of the history of my stay at the rehab, my current 'fittness' to practice might be questioned. Enrollement in the VRP would serve to alleviate any such inquiry or concern. Mind you, I NEVER was suspected, accused, caught....etc of Drug Diversion, DUI, Pt/Staff complaints....etc. I was a completely 'Self-enrolled' participant of both the Rehab and VRP. There was NEVER the threat of 'Disiplinary' action against my license as is Usual with the Vast Majority of VRP participants. Actually, the language within the VRP Agreement states that in lieu of having the 'Impending' disiplinary Action (suspension) applied to the RN's License, that Action is 'STAYED' or Delayed while the RN participates in the VRP program....Upon successful completion (3yrs), that 'Disiplinary Action' is Completely Erased....NEVER Applied and life goes on for that RN. It is Akin to Criminal 'PROBATION'. Should that RN Violate Any aspect of the VRP contract, the 'STAY' is 'Lifted' and the Original 'Disiplinary Action' is Applied...the RN has their License Suspended (usually for 3 years). Anyway, I successfully Participated in the VRP....Almost to the Very End of the 3 year Term. 4 Days prior to the End of the 3 year term, a Random Urine came back Positive for Morphine. I was asked to explain. All I could do was state that either the Positive was a 'False' Positive or the Sample was miss-labeled....wasn't mine. Well, that didn't satisfy and as the hammer fell and I was allerted to the fact the the Board intended to Suspend my License, I obtained an attorney and requested a 'Hearing'. Unfortunately, My Attorney Never handled anything remotely like this case, did absolutely NO preparation, provided NO witnesses, No Exhibits, No Nothing! All he did was Reiterate my Understanding......Either the Urine sample was Not Mine or, the Positive was indeed a False Positive. Needless to say, I lost the Hearing....Had my license Suspended these past 2.75 years, suffering Extreem Financial and Personal Consequences, and have retained an Attorney to assist me in seeking reinstatement of my license. This will be an almost impossible Uphill battle, as He says that I Must Demonstrate to the Board that I am 'Clean'. Apparantly, there is a Document that is Attached to EVERY Hearing 'DECISION' wherein the Decision was to Suspend the RN License, that Outlines, and Clearly Sates Exactly what the Board will be looking for when Reinstatement is sought. These things that the Board will be looking for as evidence (that they will acknowledge and accept) of the RN's Sobriety and 'Fittness' to Practice are essentially exactly the same as in the original VRP program....Consistent Multi-monthly Clean Random Urine Drug Screens, Ongoing Outpatient Therapy, Consistent Attendence in AA/NA 12 Step program....etc. Well, it is Acknowledged by the Board that in My case, they neglected to Attach this Document. However, I will nevertheless be held accountable to its instruction!!!......So, tell me. Do you want to get involved if you don't have to? By the way, When I first Contacted my current Attorney, who specializes in assisting RN's in my position or similar.....after hearing my 'story'.....immediatly said to me.....'You made one Very Bad Mistake'......'What was that'? I inquired. 'Signing the VRP Agreement' was his Answer.

Best of luck.....bernie

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The VRP Program is not here to help you....THEY ARE AGAINST YOU! I have been in this program for 2 years. I have recently been told that I have failed every urine drug screen test this year! The next letter I receive states I now have failed all my tests for last year! I was like what the heck is going on! I have been approved to work for over a year and a half, and I have been working. Now they decide ALL my tests are positive? They will not even tell me for what substance I am positive! So I called the case worker in charge of my case and I was told to see a doctor that I had previously seen in the beginning of my enrollment in this program. I refused because this doctor was verbally abusive and very unhelpful. Then the case manager stated that was my only option, and he would not refer me to any other doctor. I said this is unethical and immoral what is being done to me. I have not taken any medications that I was not prescribed. I have retained an attorney (very costly) because I am being put in front of the board for what, I don't even know!

The only thing I could come up with was that I am prescribed a benzodiazapine and they just now decided that they don't like my psychiatrist, therefore any medications that were prescribed by her are not authorized. The problem is that they were authorized until recently, so how can they backtrack? Or decide all of the sudden that my doctor is unworthy (which she is not).

So even if you do everything exactly as they want, if they want to be spiteful, they will find something wrong and send your case to the board. I just hope they throw it out for wasting their time.....

I would say to anyone who is in the program, or possibly going to be ... GET A LAWYER who has been in front of the board before, or dealt with state boards. You might not need to be in this program, ask a lawyer first. If you are already in the program, obtain a lawyer to make sure they do not abuse their power over you.

:banghead:

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I haven't been on AlLNURSES in a while, and actually forgot about posting this. To make a long story short, I refused the VRP, was sent to be evaluated via MMPI by a psychologist hired by the state board of nurses. I did fine on the evaluation. The psychologist even said he felt that my situation was a one-time thing (and it was). I got to keep my license, got my RN in the meantime have been working in homecare, which was going to be taken away from me. Never did the VRP, but if I get into any other 'situations' such as this again, there will be a red flag there, and I won't be able to refuse it again.

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I am in the VRP and it has been nothing but hell! I need an experienced lawyer quick! If anyone can help me please respond to this thread ASAP! Too long of a story to tell right now but I know I need a lawyer. Thanks!

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When did you start the VRP, getmetowork? The first 6-8 months in the program was very very hard. Financially and emotionally. I got into the swing of things and have been in the program for over 3 years. If I can answer any questions or can help, let me know.

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Specializes in long-term-care, LTAC, PCU.

I was caught diverting in april and entered inpt. rehab where I spent 22 days. my 1st day there I called and self reported to PHMP. Since then I have done everything I have been asked, all the partial hospitalization, intense outpatient treatment, "90 in 90", now I am involved in a nurse support group and continue with my NA meetings. I send all the required paperwork in when it's due, call firstlab every day, and would stand on my head if that's what my case manager told me to do. It's difficult at times, but if I have a question or I'm confused about something I call or email my case manager and ask because I want to make sure I get EVERYTHING right. I don't complain, I just do what I have to do and shut up about it. I'm a drug addict. for the safety of my patients and myself, i jump through any hoops I'm told to with a smile on my face.

Nurses are very fortunate in PA. We get to enter the VRP and as long as we do what we're told to do; dot our I's and cross our T's, we can keep our license (as long as we don't have any criminal charges, but that's a whole different topic). In 3 years, it's like nothing ever happened. Other states have a mandatory suspension of their license for 3-5 years.

For all of you who have a bad experience, I'm sorry. But you have to understand that PHMP is so strict because we are responsible for other people's lives. Would you want an impaired nurse taking care of you or your loved one? I wouldn't.

The bottom line is that there are good and bad experiences with everything in life. For me so far, my experience with the VRP has been positive. I know other nurses who havn't had any trouble at all. It seems silly to me to not even give it a try.

If you don't enter the VRP you are subject to disciplinary action from the board. If you do enter the program not only do you get to keep your license, but the program also holds you more accountable to your recovery. You HAVE to complete a 90 in 90 and then attend at least 3 meetings per week after that. You will have to have random drug screens. You have to report monthly to your case manager. You have to get a sponsor and a home group. Why wouldn't you become involved in the program? It helps to lay down a great foundation for recovery. It can keep you motivated to stay clean and sober. To me it's a win win situation.

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