Beginning TPAPN please advise!!!

Published

Hi fellow nurses,

My name is Heidi and I have been an operating room nurse for 11 years. Of those, 10 have been as a traveler all across the US. I have a wonderful work history and great references from my travels. When I was in California, I got a DUI (in 2008) and this, along with alcohol-related charges from my teens, landed my CA license in probation. I came to Houston and got a travel job at a wonderful hospital in the Medical Center and they gave me a full-time position even though they new I was having difficulty getting a Texas license because of the California issue. Texas took a long time to issue me a license (1.5 years) but they finally did and it is a probationary license with a lot of the same TPAPN restrictions. My hospital in the Medical Center is in the process of hiring me back, at which time I will start a 3 year probationary term. I have a few questions for those of you who have been though this process, as I do not want to do anything to mess it up. I can say that I have been sober now for many months and this has been an eye-opening experience for me. I realize now that I am an alcoholic and I am totally committed to my sobriety for life. I am not asking these questions with any intent to "mess" with the system or try to get away with anything-I only ask for advice on getting through the 3 years. Thank you in advance to any of you willing to share your thought with me!

1. I understand that when I get my job back, they will fill out the paper showing that I've given them the board order and mail it to the board. At that time I will get a board case manager. Is this correct? Is the case manager someone that will answer all these questions for me?

2. I have not been able to work since March of 2011. I understand that the drug tests are $43 and you are to have 3 on your person at all times with some kind of paperwork for each. Then, I call a number every morning and see if I've been chosen to test. My work shift begins at 6:30 a.m. Would I be able to call before that time and find out if I've been picked? Are there certain times you need to call during the day?

3. I will be working from 6:30 am-5 pm. The labcorp places I've looked into around the medical center close at 5. I'm worried about having to leave work early several times a month to test. Is this what I have to do or does anyone know of labs open later?

4. Will I be tested a few times a month or more? I am wondering because I will have to notify my employer of having to leave early for each testing and also because of the money issues.

5. Are there any common pitfalls to avoid in this process? Three years seems like such a long time and I just want to do everything right to get back into good standing with the board.

Thank you all for reading this and taking time to answer back. Bless you all on your journeys.

Heidi

Up Vote Up Vote ×

hey, heidi- welcome to the club! as long as you do what TPAPN requires, in the correct time frame - you should have no problems. you get a case manager when you begin TPAPN- has nothing to do when you get hired. if you just found out you have to do TPAPN, you should be getting a call from your case manager soon. she/he will be able to answer all your questions. my case manager was very helpful. you generally do 2 drug screens/month, they will send you some forms- you pay when the test is done. i paid $59 to labcorp for each test (billed monthly oer credit card), plus 20 or 24 at the collection site. yes, they close at 5pm- they do tests after that, but they cost $75 more :(. you can call in beginning at 4 am. like i said, as long as you do what they say, when they say, with no mess-ups, & always put your sobriety first- it's an easy deal. 2 years flew by for me. best of luck!! keep us posted.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Psychiatric.

Hi Heidi,

I know that TXRN2 answered alot of your questions. In addition to your case manager, you will also be assigned an advocate whom you must call at least 1x weekly. Your advocate should be able to give you alot of advice. As far as the drug testing goes, there is a labcorp near the museum in the medical center. If I come in ready to pee, I'm never in there for more than 3o minutes because it's never that busy so maybe you can go on your lunch break, Worst case scenario, there is a Concentra in Katy that stays open until 9 p.m. You will have to pay concentra 30 something dollars up front in addition to the labcorp fee but you will be able to test after hours if you need to. Read all of your paperwork and make sure you understand all of the restrictions ect. Good,luck on your journey. It is difficult but you definitely can do this. So glad you came to allnurses because there is so much support here.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, dialysis.

Do everything they tell you to do. Learninglessons and TXRN2 covered the the bases very well. Good Luck, this forum is great for support :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi Heidi!ive been with Tpapn for 4 months,unemployed.Id like to apply at the facility where you are working?Can you help me out pls?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion