Desperate for answers regarding IPN

SHlpn50, LPN · May 11, 2019

I agree i explained to the BON and gave them all the information on my prescription , they say a drug test is not wrong. they are both the same class of drugs. when i was terminated the acting DON said not to worry the board won’t do anything, i never had a reason to be in the know about all of this . Now i am sadly. If i had money for a lawyer i would’ve retained one , but i’m not in NC now so it complicates things, It’s a bad dream well for a year , just looking for support from other nurses , or groups that i can contact . Something kind of odd. we were driven to the lab and on the way there the person stopped at Starbucks and got me a large mocha latte. she asked what i wanted . so at the lab on Thanksgiving i waited about 4 hours so i went to the bathroom about 5 times coffee does that to me. dunno it all seems odd. All my paperwork and stuff says non disciplinary and i have no restrictions. Don’t know what my employer will say next week.

catsmeow1972, BSN, RN · May 11, 2019

Between being taken to an outside lab at some urgent care where the driver treats you to a coffee beverage before your drug test to being told that what you popped positive for and what you are prescribed are in the same class of drugs so suck it up, you’re screwed......ummmm....yeah, any lawyer would tear that to pieces.

However, to quote something I heard a lot over the years, “you don’t know what you don’t know.” I reached out to my program, asking for help and got a very expensive ride through hell, both psychologically and emotionally. I had no idea of the shady, corrupt money making scheme that I was getting into. I didn’t know and there was no reason why I would have.

The lawyers that advertise in our nursing newspapers that do license defense, that all say “call us before you speak with any program or DOH or BON, etc.”? They do that for a reason and it’s not to just get business.

I’m guessing you have to inform your employer of this. If you’ve got no restrictions, I would emphasize that there is nothing in regards to it that would affect your job performance. It is getting to where it is commonly known in nursing circles what these programs/contracts do to people and that it is not always an appropriate tool. Sometimes it is and a very good one. Frequently it is not and it is used very abusively.

Nonetheless, right or wrong, you’ve got to deal with it. At this point likely trying to change it would only be more money and stress. My suggestion is to play the game, do what they tell you and get it over with.

SHlpn50, LPN · May 25, 2019

Well I was lucky my employer was very understanding. Only because it states non disciplinary. The daily check ins are easy they have an app so i can check in on my phone . I was called to give a sample last week and that process was really embarrassing. Being observed is bad enough but having to keep my shirt above. my navel and pants to knees, it really seemed degrading and I started to tear up , i’m not one to relieve myself in front of others but the lab guy is in nursing school and diverted my attention and reassured me. Maybe i made more of it than it was but nonetheless it was embarrassing. Hopefully i won’t have to drop too much. I work a double on the holiday and emailed the BON to let them know what should i do if i get selected. for something like that they will excuse the drop only on a holiday. If anyone else has experience with all this id love to hear from someone. Something like this i don’t talk to co workers or friends about.

catsmeow1972, BSN, RN · May 25, 2019

16 hours ago, SHlpn50 said:
Well I was lucky my employer was very understanding. Only because it states non disciplinary. The daily check ins are easy they have an app so i can check in on my phone . I was called to give a sample last week and that process was really embarrassing. Being observed is bad enough but having to keep my shirt above. my navel and pants to knees, it really seemed degrading and I started to tear up , i’m not one to relieve myself in front of others but the lab guy is in nursing school and diverted my attention and reassured me. Maybe i made more of it than it was but nonetheless it was embarrassing. Hopefully i won’t have to drop too much. I work a double on the holiday and emailed the BON to let them know what should i do if i get selected. for something like that they will excuse the drop only on a holiday. If anyone else has experience with all this id love to hear from someone. Something like this i don’t talk to co workers or friends about.

I get the embarrassing. I don’t even want my cat watching me pee, never mind anyone else. Lol. I’ve never had to do the observed (geez, I best not be giving anyone any ideas.)

At this point in mine (if you’ve seen my other posts) I’m so close to the end, I’m counting days. Hell, I’ve actually been doing that for 5 years. I’ve had to deal with many a lab person. Some are nasty (they look at all Affinity people like they are scum that don’t deserve a license, etc.) and some are understanding and really good. I’m pretty sure that guy wasn’t anymore thrilled about having to observe you than you were about being there. As far as the protocol, As horrible as it may be, it is ultimately in your favor if they keep to it. That way, you know the job is done properly and up until the sealing of that bag, the process was correct. Lessens the likelihood of a ‘lab error’ which with Many of these programs, it will be your responsibility (and your cost) to prove the issue was the lab and not you.

As far as getting dinged on a holiday, again in my lengthy experience, I’ve never gotten called on a holiday. Yes, by all means check in. Given the majority of LabCorp/Quest places that are closed on most holidays, it would make it near impossible to find a place to test. As much of this stuff that is claimed to be ‘random’ I have my doubts.

I expressed my concern about being late to my employer and the response was ‘we hired you knowing this was in place so don’t worry about it.” I do get not wanting to discuss this with friends, etc. Non nursing friends don’t get how this stuff can be legal (I’m of the opinion that much of it isn’t and we already know it isn’t very ethical) and Im not about to let my co-workers in on my business. I work in a HUGE facility (like I don’t even know half the people in my department) and there are exactly 2 that know about this.Im keeping it that way.

I harbor quite a bit (a bit?) of anger at this whole thing. I do make it a point to not take it out on the lab folk as they are simply doing their job, per protocol as they should, but the second I get a lecture about how I should be grateful, blah, blah, blah....from a tech....we done....I’m not nice anymore...because they crossed a line and I have filed a complaint before. I go there to pee and leave, period. Not be subject to someone’s opinions.

You will get through this. We folks here do “get it.”