Drug diversion and tnpap

Nurses Recovery

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HELP!

So recently, about 3 months ago, I was terminated from my job for drug diversion. I was diverting pain medication in which I was taking myself. I quit the next day and detoxed myself and have been clean since. I was told that I needed to call and self report to the BON in 2 days and if not then they would.

I didn't know what to do. I wanted about 5 days and then I called and "Self-reported". to the BON and then they referred me to tnpap.

I have signed up for tnpap requesting their services. I have met with the evaluator in which he determined I have an "opioid used d/o". I have NO drug use background whatsoever and this was the first time "using". He says I will most likely "need inpatient treatment, because I will most likely use again." It sounds a little insane.

I have no job, no family, alone with both of my kids.

How am I going to go to inpatient? Where will my kids go?

and also, what happens AFTER inpatient?

should I just try and hire a lawyer and fight against the BON?

I don't know what to do....

Try to at least call TNPAP and explain your situation with your kids and see what they say. See if you could get another eval somewhere else for a second opinion. I don't know how you presented yourself the first time, but if you do the eval again I would recommend going in with the attitude that you are an addict that needs help. Don't minimize anything. If they got any vibes that you were in denial that might be why they recommended inpt the first time. Tell them about your kids and not having any way to do inpt and see what they say.

Is this program an alternative to discipline? Like where nothing public shows up on your license? I don't know how your state works but I'm positive if you wait to address this later, you could but you would lose your chance at not having this be a public and permanent mark on your license.

Good luck to you. Hopefully if you do have to leave nursing, you could still find something using your healthcare knowledge. I've heard of jobs like "wellness coaching," for example. They work sometimes over the phone or even for places like Jenny Craig.

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Another question. Does going through all of this keep anything from going against the license?

Let's say I do everything they ask.

Does this keep my license clean or not?

I'm in the state of TN

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I see there will be restrictions but once they're lifted will it be able to be seen in the future that I once had restrictions ?

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Maybe he did see that I was "minimizing" but I feel as if his evaluation was biased since I'm 2011 he "overcame opioid addiction" himself. And it's easy for them to point fingers and say do this and that just because they have but their circumstances were different.

At this point I'm completely hopeless and lost. I know everything "happens for a reason" but why things like I like this? I do understand I could be in a much worse predicament but right now it feels like the end of the world. I guess in the end it's all for a reason...

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And yes I do have a ginuine psych diagnosis of major depressive disorder. I've been diagnosed with this ever since the age of 7/8.

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Do yourself a favor and get a job out of the medical field, where you will not be tempted to divert substances at work. You have a lot more to lose than money and a job. If things continue to progress until you're stealing more and more, you can be convicted of a felony and put in prison. Where would your kids go if you went to prison? Who would raise them? These things do happen. A local facility I know of has the attorney general's office investigating them. They've got the "men in black" there now, and at least one of their nurses is going to prison for a very long time. She has four children, and she will not see them grow up. I hope they will be raised by people who love them.

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I know in my state and in others it is possible to have restrictions for a time and for that to not be public information or posted on the website, as long as you don't get probation. I don't know about TN or how they do it, but the TNPAP should be able to answer your question.

Nursing doesn't always mean a job with narcotics. There are a lot of nursing jobs that do not pass controlled substances. It is a good idea to not work with them anymore but that doesn't mean having to leave the field totally.

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
I see there will be restrictions but once they're lifted will it be able to be seen in the future that I once had restrictions ?

Your question is state specific. In California I was in a diversion or Alternative to discipline program. The whole time I was in it as well as after completion my license showed as unencumbered if an prospective employer looked me up. I do know that there is no blemish on my license today.

If your state has the option to do a probation in which you complete certain requirements in order to retain your license and be able to keep working - that may be an option for you. Still these probation programs often leave a permanent blemish on your license.

Hppy

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Im sorry to have to give this advice but get a lawyer and be prepared to lie. From my experience and most of the people I've talked to, honesty will be the nail on your coffin with BONs. You may have already "said" too much to your evaluator. These programs are nothing but a get rich quick scheme for some individuals. If lawyers in your state are the same as in Texas, you will have either 30 mins free consultation or 1 hr consultation for a set amount, mine was $200. Some lawyers are also scammers, get one with a flat charge and not hourly. In your consultation ask them what outcome/punishment is expected. If inpatient is mandatory then you may need to make some drastic life changes if you want to keep your license. Good luck and wishing you all the best.

***Sorry for typos, using cell phone.

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AMEN but I do fear she already said too much

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It is too late to lie, she has already self reported to the BON. Lying would be a bad move anyway, as i'm sure her former employer has plenty of proof that she did something wrong. All they need is one uncharted med to act. All they need is one documentation error. I have seen people get dinged on their license for really small errors. The BON would certainly be much harsher if they suspected she was lying.

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Im so sorry that happened to you. I failed a drug test for my agency, and they said they are reporting me to the BON. I dont have a job either and dont know what to do. Please if someone has some advice contact me at mjrn70

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