Colorado Peer Assistance advice

Published

Specializes in Float pool/postpartum.

Hi! I got caught diverting after a high stress period in my life and lost my job. I've been through the evaluation process for peer assistance program of Colorado and I'm seeing this as an opportunity to get out of bedside nursing and do what I love. My question is, I can't seem to find any info online about people who have been through this program and what to expect. I'll find out soon how long I'll need to be in program but would just love to get some insight from others who have been through it. :) thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey there! I haven't gotten caught diverting, but got a DUI and have an eval next week.  I'm just wondering what the evaluation is like for CO and if they do etg,  peth tests, or hair samples. Hope things are going well for you! 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
CamPositive said:

Hey there! I haven't gotten caught diverting, but got a DUI and have an eval next week.  I'm just wondering what the evaluation is like for CO and if they do etg,  peth tests, or hair samples. Hope things are going well for you! 

Get a lawyer.  Who evaluates you is important 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in n/a.

Hi, 

Any follow up from Colorado's PAS? I will need to have an evaluation by them in the future as I was arrested for a DUI, just wondering how things turned out for you

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Float pool/postpartum.

Hi! I am 2 years into the program with 1 year left. It was a long process getting enrolled , so I'd start sooner than later if you can. It depends on the offense I think but most diversion cases are 5 years; I got 3 years. Not sure what a DUI would be, but I will see the people I've dealt with have been kind and supportive and non-judgemental. You get assigned a case manager and check in with them monthly, I have random drug testing 2 to 3 times a month and it's less frequent as time goes on as long as you follow all the rules. You have to check in on an app daily and get in trouble if you forget. I'm required to do therapy twice a month and have an RN above me that turns in a monthly report. No alcohol/drugs allowed, you are able to take prescriptions if approved by your doctor (I'm on vyvanse for ADD). It's been a positive experience considering the situation! Good luck in your future with it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in n/a.

OK thank you.  Did you have any narcotic restriction for while you were practicing or limitations on night shifts/on call shifts? Did you by any chance loose your job and have difficulty finding another one? I am in the process of job searching and am having trouble finding one with my pending charge. 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in n/a.
CamPositive said:

Hey there! I haven't gotten caught diverting, but got a DUI and have an eval next week.  I'm just wondering what the evaluation is like for CO and if they do etg,  peth tests, or hair samples. Hope things are going well for you! 

Also wondering if your eval with CO was in person or virtual and what testing do they have you do?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Float pool/postpartum.

My eval was over Zoom with a really nice clinical psychologist who did a bunch of psychology testing, diagnosed me with inattentive ADD and anxiety. She asked me about the situation and she's the one who recommended the amount of time in program and requirements to board based on that evaluation. I do UDS a couple times a month but not sure if it's the same across the board, testing is less frequent the longer you're in the program and I have 10 months left.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in n/a.
aml0120 said:

My eval was over Zoom with a really nice clinical psychologist who did a bunch of psychology testing, diagnosed me with inattentive ADD and anxiety. She asked me about the situation and she's the one who recommended the amount of time in program and requirements to board based on that evaluation. I do UDS a couple times a month but not sure if it's the same across the board, testing is less frequent the longer you're in the program and I have 10 months left.

Thank you for that information.  Did you have trouble finding a job after being placed in the program? What area were you able to get hired in? Also wondering if they suspended your license for a period of time as part of the process.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Float pool/postpartum.

I actually decided I was done with the hospital world for multiple reasons and got my esthetician license, so I'm dually licensed. I went to work at a medical spa and they were super understanding and said "okay so you're human" when I told them about it, so that was nice. In the hospital world, do the interview first then just be super humble and let them know the situation and hopefully people are kind :). They did suspend my license during the waiting period of assigning how long I'd have to be in the program, and the history stays on your license. 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion