Completed VA HPMP... Have Questions? Let me know!

I completed VA-HPMP 5 year monitoring program. If anyone has any questions or just need to talk or vent let me know. It is a tedious program and often times you can do everything right and things still pop up and you just gotta keep on the course and get to the end. Good luck and give a shout if you need any advice or info!!

[Healer555]

What do you mean you can do things right but things still pop up? When your monitoring agreement ends, does it really end? 

[Recovering RN]

What I mean by doing things right is I was completely sober, did an IOP, attended therapy, was very involved in a 12-step program, had a sponsor, and had my own sponsees I was and still am in a full-blown recovery program and working the program daily. One time I had an "under dilute" sample, so dehydrated and it was considered abnormal and a fail. They could not rationalize or explain to me how this could have been altered, and my screens were increased and were costly. Another time I was having a female medical issue and there was blood in my samples and it was considered altered. I had to increase screens, have more expensive screens, and observed. Never did I ever have a positive sample from a substance but those were all considered positive. It was very stressful, costly, and unnecessary. 

Yes, when the contract its, it is over. You literally never hear another word from them again. My compact license was restored within a few months. 

[Healer555]

Recovering RN said:

What I mean by doing things right is I was completely sober, did an IOP, attended therapy, was very involved in a 12-step program, had a sponsor, and had my own sponsees I was and still am in a full-blown recovery program and working the program daily. One time I had an "under dilute" sample, so dehydrated and it was considered abnormal and a fail. They could not rationalize or explain to me how this could have been altered, and my screens were increased and were costly. Another time I was having a female medical issue and there was blood in my samples and it was considered altered. I had to increase screens, have more expensive screens, and observed. Never did I ever have a positive sample from a substance but those were all considered positive. It was very stressful, costly, and unnecessary. 

Yes, when the contract its, it is over. You literally never hear another word from them again. My compact license was restored within a few months. 

Thank you for replying.  I'm in a different state. We were told they close our file 4 years after we are done monitoring.  Do you have the same? I wonder what happens in the 4 years before our file is closed.  Congratulations on finishing and your sobriety. 

[Recovering RN]

Healer555 said:

Thank you for replying.  I'm in a different state. We were told they close our file 4 years after we are done monitoring.  Do you have the same? I wonder what happens in the 4 years before our file is closed.  Congratulations on finishing and your sobriety. 

I think it likely depends on how your state and board of nursing handle things. In Virginia you can be granted a "stay" which means if you comply with all the requirements and have no violations or severe infractions that are taken to the board during your contract your file or information is never made public and is basically sealed. As long as you complete the program then the case is closed. I assume likely if a relapse or event were to occur they could vacate the stay or bring the info public, but in Virginia when you successfully complete the program its over. Thank you I love being in recovery and am grateful for the life I now have. Good luck to you.