Does an attorney help against PHMP/PNAP?

SpankedInPittsburgh, DNP, RN · Jan 15, 2020

I wish I would have had one. I don’t know how much difference it would have made but regret not getting competent legal counsel

Jhope41831, BSN, RN · Jan 15, 2020

That’s how I feel and I think an attorney may still be able to help me even though I’ve already been evaluated ugh!!

crazin01 · Jan 18, 2020

please do consult an attorney. Even if you have been evaluated, have you signed a contract yet? Don't sign until you speak with an attorney or two.

Finances may be rough but it is money VERY well spent...

Jhope41831, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2020

No I have not. I’m talking to 3 attorneys and they all said do not sign it. I haven’t received the contract yet. Thank you I appreciate your input! Yes I will find a way to pay for one. If I don’t I will regret not standing up for myself.

Randomnurse3 · Jan 19, 2020

4 hours ago, Jhope41831 said:
No I have not. I’m talking to 3 attorneys and they all said do not sign it. I haven’t received the contract yet. Thank you I appreciate your input! Yes I will find a way to pay for one. If I don’t I will regret not standing up for myself.

Listen to the 3 attorneys you have reached out and talked to. Don’t sign anything! Retain an attorney!

MetallicaRN · Mar 26, 2020

I stood my ground and let them send me to a forensic psychologist along with obtaining 10 years of medical, dental, OB/gyn records (yes!) I had no attorney. I passed the awful and invasive 3.5 hour interrogation If their psychologist, because around 4 months later I received a letter from the PA Boad of Professional Affairs that stated there were no grounds for license suspension or disciplinary action. It was also very foreboding in that it contained the wording that if any other issues arose they would Reopen the case.... it can be done, provided you have no real reason to need to enter the program. I was bullied and yelled at by PNAP representatives and made to feel I had no choice in the matter. These people are NOT your friends. Depending on if you really want to hold out it can be done. I’m sure every case is different. I did speak to a union attorney for basic advice and I was told not to give them anymore information than I already did until I had to.... that they had nothing on me.

SpankedInPittsburgh, DNP, RN · Mar 26, 2020

Everyone should get an attorney and fight this tooth and nail. I didn’t I trusted the BON to have my best interests at heart. Boy was I wrong and I truly regret it

Jhope41831, BSN, RN · Mar 27, 2020

Thank you! MetallicaRN. I have obtained an attorney...just waiting to hear from the BON. My attorney believes they will send me to a psychologist for evaluation. So stressful waiting not knowing and especially now with the pandemic I’m sure I’ll be waiting longer than normal. I appreciate your input!! Thanks spanked as well. I bit the bullet and paid for an attorney I know I don’t have an addiction and the program would not benefit me. Yes I felt bullied and made to feel like I was an alcoholic by PNAP!! Stay healthy!! Thanks again ?? ??

Regina.Phalange · Jul 4, 2020

Hi, any updates??

Jhope41831, BSN, RN · Jul 8, 2020

yes I received a letter from the BON to see their approved Dr for an evaluation with a date set already. I was required to have my medical records sent to him, then I sent my pharmacy records, resume and the police report. He looked up my DUI fines. Had To go to Pittsburgh had 2 hour evaluation nerve wracking and painful. Now I’m just waiting to hear back from the BON. My attorney said it can be upwards to 6 months before I hear back. Uuhhhhh. Thanks for asking.

catsmeow1972, BSN, RN · Jul 8, 2020

“yes I received a letter from the BON to see their approved Dr for an evaluation“

Sounds a lot like a friend of mine that is trapped in this unending circle of hell in regards to Florida’s program. She went to the board to object to the abuse inflicted upon her by IPN (BS reasons and them invoking nonexistent ‘policy’ got her kicked out of IPN), they told her to get another evaluation done by an ‘approved evaluator.’ The problem with that is that they gave no guidance as to how or who. The only ‘evaluators’ that will see her are the ones that are the tools of IPN. Of course they will recomandate (I love this word, LOL) another contract. In short, she’s on the shelf unless she agrees to another contract and given that she never should have been in their clutches to begin with and those same quacks/crooks that they call ‘evaluators’ are who screwed her up to start with.

This, folks is why legal counsel BEFORE you submit to any evaluation or sign anything or frankly even speak to these BS artists is SO important. Counsel may not save you from the program (especially if there is legit reasons...real addiction issues, etc.) but can maybe save you from the more unsavory aspects. My situation was a fast ride into hell until I realized what they were really after (money$$$$) and that they had zero interest in my career or my well-being. That was when I got the lawyer. I had to deal with them for the length of the contract (whole thing was a load of BS but I did sign it and unlike those people, I keep my word) but the lawyer was able to protect me from some of the sleazier attempts that they tried to invent to screw with me. He was expensive and worth every penny.