EEP vs TPAPN?

Nurses Recovery

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I recently failed a drug test that I had to take at my former employer. I didn’t scan a morphine that was given and was drug tested. I failed the drug screen and tested positive for opiates. I was told not only am I fired but I will also be reported to the board of nursing. I’ve read a lot of posts in here, but I’m curious if anyone has any experience on doing EEP instead of TPAPN? From what I’ve read, nurses who are deemed low-level risk for chemical dependency and who have no prior incidents of drug related problems, EEP is an option instead of going through TPAPN. Just wondering if anyone had any experience with this? As of right now I feel like my career is over and I’ll jever be the nurse I once was. I made a horrible mistake after a horrific shift where I care for a nurse who I previously worked with who was in bad shape. I’ve never been accused of diversion before... I feel helpless and like my life is over.... I don’t know what I should do or where to turn... I also have no idea how I’m going to pay for all of the treatment necessary for TPAPN when I don’t have a job and am not allowed to work.... please help ?

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It is TPAPN choice which one you do. EEP is the rearer choice of the two. You will have to have an addiction assessment by one of their approved people and that input will help them decide which tract you will be on. Good luck.

I had no prior issues and was not work related, got TPAPN. They error on the side of caution.

You tested positive for opiates, opiates will get you TPAPN, they do not generally believe that is a one time thing and not addiction.

I suggest getting a lawyer who specializes in dealing with the board of nursing.

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I misread. If thought it was reported to TPAPN. The board will decide after a hearing. Again the scenario is likely the same only board ordered to TPAPN.

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Thank you so much for your response. I was scared that’s the advice I was given. The lawyer I looked into will hopefully respond by Monday.

I feel like my life is over. I’m 29 and feel more unstable in life than I did at 18. How do you all deal with the feelings of hopelessness? All this is making me want to do is crawl into a hole and hide from the world ??

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You could try a nursing support group...the nurses in there have likely been through similar situations.

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Hang in there. I won't lie, in the beginning it feels like a mountain to climb. It gets easier as you get adjusted to monitoring. 5 months left here and I've been through false positives on drug tests, employment challenges and what not, but I can't look back and say the past 2 1/2 years have been utterly horrible.

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I guess the million dollar question would be: did you divert? I don't expect you to answer the question, though.

What I will say is that rarely is 'diversion' a one time event. The 'one' time for most people is after the pharmacy and charge nurse has been 'on to' this person for a while.

Most nurses are terrified of doing this type of thing, the addict nurse does it all the time. Also, the choice of an opiate after a hard shift doesn't make sense either, unless you are a person who is more familiar than you should be with narcotics. The average layperson will not say, "I think I'll go score some Heroin," after a hard day at the office. It may seem harsh, but that's essentially what the nurse who takes an opiate after a hard shift is equivalent to.

That being said, take a deep breath. Your life is not over... This is going to be a lengthy and expensive process, but it's doable. My prediction is TPPAN.

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I feel better about the treatment cost. I’m required for tpapn however since I’m bipolar my treatment is provided for seeing the doctor for mental health. All I have to do is ask about seeing the counselor once a month which I hope they will do it... also I found a 30 day iop for $500 with payment plan also. I’m trying to find work in the office side in a nursing home in dallas with weekend work and all my problems would be solved. If I had to pay the doctor and counselor out of pocket for tpapn I wouldn’t be able to do it.

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I look at medical receptionist jobs that are paying very well for greeting the patient vitals insurance verification and things like that. If I could land one of those positions at a doctor office in dallas life would be ok but I’m not planning on doing anything for at least a year

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My situation is different. I am just going to find a nursing home that will work with me for an extensive orientation. After that I get to undergo a new evaluation for treatment in Tpapn. I’m just going to wait and save enough money for a 12 month lease to do everything. As long as I can afford to fullfill the beginning requirements of the tpapn contract I think it will all be ok. I’m in for psychological not drug or alcohol abuse. I don’t mind doing it I just wish they would work with you from the start but either way. If I lived in Dallas I would already be done with this. And I don’t know any doctors and doubt I ever will get to. But that’s ok it just cuts out job opportunities and learning experiences

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On 2/7/2019 at 10:12 PM, Oldpro1985 said:

I feel better about the treatment cost. I’m required for tpapn however since I’m bipolar my treatment is provided for seeing the doctor for mental health. All I have to do is ask about seeing the counselor once a month which I hope they will do it... also I found a 30 day iop for $500 with payment plan also. I’m trying to find work in the office side in a nursing home in dallas with weekend work and all my problems would be solved. If I had to pay the doctor and counselor out of pocket for tpapn I wouldn’t be able to do it.

Oldpro1985..I am in dfw. I was wondering what IOP program it is that you found in Dallas. I am unable to send pm’s. Not sure if I can receive them for you to respond to me directly. I am about to sign my board ordered tpapn agreement and I am absolutely terrified and feeling overwhelmed about the eval and possibility of being mandated to IOP and where/how to find someplace decent. Thank you all for any advice you may have!

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Hi

all I did was google “ iop dallas tx” Red Bird was one of the more affordable one at around $500 but prices ranged from 500 to ten thousand so you just have to call and find out. Hope this helps

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