Anyone left TNPAP before contract end?

Nurses Recovery

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I voluntarily entered TNPAP (after being lied to in treatment and threatened unethically). I was never "caught" at work or accused or anything else that I have read on here. I have not been able to find a job and this has seriously affected my family financially.

I simply want to know if anyone that was not diverting at work or has never been in ANY trouble at all and who voluntarily entered TNPAP has ever left before their contract ended. I do not think there is anything anyone could do, including the BON, or if they would even look twice at the notice TNPAP would send that says "file closure," as stated in my contract. It says they MAY notify the Tennessee BOard of Health of my file closure. It says they MAY notify the BON if they think I am a current public threat, which I am not working so I am not a threat. I have never had a positive drug screen with them. To me, it seems the BON could do nothing as the records at TNPAP are also confidential, though there is nothing in those records that would cause me any trouble anyway.

I can not imagine the BON, if notified, would go to any length to try to do anything against a nurse that has no trouble and voluntarily entered. I mean at worse I would think they might inquire as to why I entered, and while I would tell them even that I don't think I would HAVE to tell, as that is also confidential information. They would have to go through some serious legal steps to gain any information.

Anyone out there ever left?

I think you are right - there is a huge fear of them (rightfully so) but their actual abilities are legally limited. We are just too scared (once again, rightfully so) to stand up for our rights. I will definitely.

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15 minutes ago, RNlove12 said:

I think you are right - there is a huge fear of them (rightfully so) but their actual abilities are legally limited. We are just too scared (once again, rightfully so) to stand up for our rights. I will definitely.

Well thank you for being willing to do that. This thread actually gave me the courage to write my own RN attorney so I appreciate that. I will fight for my rights too, in whatever way I can. It's good to be reminded that the BON have legal limits even when it sometimes seems like they don't.

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Specializes in Oceanfront Living.

Are you saying that when you went to treatment, you were told to self report and then begin TNPAP ?

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Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.

I'd be interested in seeing how this plays out. I am in a different state but there was a lady in my monitoring group who self-referred for a mild etoh problem and than tried to back out after a year. The monitoring program alerted the BON who made her reenter monitoring. She was pretty angry because they made her start all over.

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Yeah in my state (pa) starting over seems to be the default setting for most issues

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In Tennessee, regardless of the reason you are in TNPAP to begin with (self reporting or otherwise), if you drop out, your license will be revoked by the board. If you ever drop out and decide to go back, you’ll get five years in the program instead of three. It’s best just to go on and tough it out and finish now.

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Specializes in Oceanfront Living.

Just so you know, in Tennessee a licensed nurse has a "property right" to their license. Speak to an knowledgeable attorney who will tell you about this.

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18 hours ago, TNPAPnurse said:

In Tennessee, regardless of the reason you are in TNPAP to begin with (self reporting or otherwise), if you drop out, your license will be revoked by the board. If you ever drop out and decide to go back, you’ll get five years in the program instead of three. It’s best just to go on and tough it out and finish now.

What evidence do you have that this is true? Do you know of this happening to multiple people who have dropped out voluntarily - not for failing?

This is not an accurate statement. The BON can not just revoke your license for not completing a program which you voluntarily entered with no connection to your license in the first place.

Please share your reasoning, facts, and evidence for this comment. Did a lawyer advise you of this? Did you seek a second opinion from another lawyer and they also say this is true?

18 hours ago, beachbabe86 said:

Just so you know, in Tennessee a licensed nurse has a "property right" to their license. Speak to an knowledgeable attorney who will tell you about this.

I am pretty sure every medical license falls under this - any one with a medical license has a property right to their license.

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Specializes in Oceanfront Living.
4 hours ago, RNlove12 said:

What evidence do you have that this is true? Do you know of this happening to multiple people who have dropped out voluntarily - not for failing?

This is not an accurate statement. The BON can not just revoke your license for not completing a program which you voluntarily entered with no connection to your license in the first place.

Please share your reasoning, facts, and evidence for this comment. Did a lawyer advise you of this? Did you seek a second opinion from another lawyer and they also say this is true?

I am pretty sure every medical license falls under this - any one with a edical license has a property right to their license.

Oh my goodness...you seem to have all facts and none of the experience. I worked for the TNBON and I know some of what you are alleging is subject to scrutiny. I will say if you go before the Board with this know it all attitude you will be surprised at the response which will not be in your favor.

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Specializes in Geriatircs/Rural Hospitals.

The BON is not your friend folks. If you cause waves they will take your license if any way possible.

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Specializes in tele, ICU, CVICU.

When you entered the program & signed the contract, did it not specify you must complete the complete 3 years? And that if you fail to complete 3 years for ANY reason ($$, positive testing, or just dropping out) they will notify the BON of your contract violation? Just because you voluntarily entered does not mean you can 'voluntarily' withdraw from the contract you agreed to, knowing the time requirement.

And here in PA, when you enter you are required to hand over a med list & the medical conditions they are taken for. Thus, medical records are not private. As far as the BON only being told 'file closed', that isn't necessarily a good thing. File closed could be either way.

Most of us speak from personal experience, that is where our facts are coming from.

I would re-read your contract before you start telling your case manager you want to voluntarily withdraw. But I'm interested to know what happens here.

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Specializes in Family Medicine.

I dropped out of TNPAP and it was reported to the BON now I sit with a suspended license until I’m eligible for reinstatement. Guess I’m learning the hard way. 

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