Cando uodate.. ugh

[JxoRN]

Ok... So finally met with the board.. finally faxed in my starting paperwork.. did my IOP assessment. I call everyday to the state board to ask questions, they don't return my calls. Finally I get the email to do the drug testing, but no 4 digit code. Wtf. I call... No one calls me back. Then... I get the call for a dialysis clinic interview.

Can I work and do 16 weeks if IOP, 2 NA meetings, and 1 hour of recovery? This is so frustrating. I feel like such a loser.

[Recovering_RN]

Most monitoring programs require you to complete your IOP or at least get through most of it, to the point that your IOP counselor feels you're ready to go back to work. That's usually a form they sign that you have to submit to your monitoring case manager. Once you have that approval you can then look for a job. And there should be paperwork that your employer has to sign before they hire you stating they understand your restrictions, understand you may need to leave work if you get selected for a drug test on a day you're working, they understand about the supervision requirements and narcotic restrictions etc. All that stuff should be in a big packet of paperwork your monitoring program should provide you with in order to allow you to go back to work. At least that is how it is done in TPAPN in Texas.

[catsmeow1972, BSN, RN]

My impression has been that these programs are not "work friendly." It appears that there is a disconnect between all of the crap that they expect you to cough up money for and how they expect you to make the money to do so, never mind find the time to work in between all of the insane requirements, very few of which have anything to do with MONITORING your practice as a nurse.

To me the term "monitoring" means watching to ensure that you are safe perhaps via drug screens and some rules such as no overtime, no nights etc. All of this forced ‘treatment' and not being allowed to work at all until some half trained goofball that is contracted by some for profit outfit to run a weekly babysitting group says so is ********.

Sorry, I know, I'm preaching to the choir again, just feeling ornery and irritated this morning.....

[SpankedInPittsburgh, DNP, RN]

Here once you are in the program you need a return to work letter. That is not given until you have completed IOP and 90 in 90. Once you can return to work you have restrictions placed on what you can do. Typically you can't handle narcs, you must have a supervisor present and they limit your OT. Also, they don't really care if all of the nonsensical requirements ruin your ability to work. You have to get pee tested when selected, you have to attend your 12 step meetings and you must go to your nurse support group & cannot miss because of work. If you do you simply won't have a license. All of this sucks and is immensely stress provoking not to mention expensive. I wish you well & remember getting started is the worst part. I won't say you ever get comfortable in purgatory but you do get used to it. Every moment in this honestly angers me (I'd say something more explicit but the censors won't have that). Use your anger as motivation to get through this. Do not let these cretins take from you what you have worked so hard for!!!

[Big Blondie, ASN, BSN, MSN, APRN]

I received a return to work letter from IOP 2 weeks in. I discussed it with the counselor and he gave letter and I started back to work the following Monday. I'm in Texas