Interviewing with IPN restrictions

sissiesmama, ASN, RN · Sep 7, 2008

I have been an ER nurse for four years and have been in IPN for six months. I have a narc restriction for the next year and have my first interview in a non-ER setting next week. I understand according to the American Disabilities Act that I technically don't have to mention that I am an IPN participant until after I have received the job offer and before I accept it but I have mixed feelings about this. I desperately need some advice from others who have been in this situation on how to handle the interviewing process. I have a great resume, excellent letters of recommendation...and then there is IPN. ANYONE out there that has navigated this one before, your input would be GREATLY appreciated!

Hello - My name is Anne and I am an addict. I am also an ER nurse. I just wanted to tell you that I remember when I was job hunting with all my restrictions and I know it was not fun. Feel free to pm me if you would like, and I'll keep you in my prayers.

Anne, RNC

NurseExec · Sep 7, 2008

Are you sure that you don't have to share your IPN status with any new employer. Back in the day, when I was in IPN, it was part of my contract that I had to divulge that I was part of IPN. Just a plug for the program--turning myself into IPN because of my alcoholism was the best thing I ever did for myself. I've been sober almost 10 years now, and the support I received in IPN laid a great foundation for the rest of my life. Best to you :)

Veteran Nurse · Sep 7, 2008

I did not divulge my status to HR, but when interviewed by Nurse Managers I did. IMHO, being honest with the person hiring me went a long way toward my success with the position. If they did not hire me, I didn't let it get to me, because I felt it was just not where I was supposed to be.

csason · Sep 12, 2008

Sort of sounds like you answered your own question..

The angst I sense is that you aren't sure when to drop the bomb..on the other hand, in the scenario you laid out, you feel more confident about having been up front.

My best experience..and believe me, experience far outweighs idealism and

hopeful anticipation and opinion.... is that it is better for you to not

get too hung up on when to divulge your IPN status. A nurse manager or human resource person's job description includes hiring you as well as nurses who are not.

For what it's worth, a nurse who is aware of addiction, and possibly has had personal experience with it in some ways has an advantage over those who may not..if you think about it.

It is the secrets that we keep that make us sicker..not the opposite.

Most reasonable, educated and experienced professionals will have a high regard for you, for being able to confidently state your place in life, with awareness.

Good luck.

bossynurse101 · Sep 20, 2008

Hi, not sure if youre from Fla, but here in FLa we have an official IPN book of recovery modules. They very clearly suggest that you tell your potential employer AFTER you get the job offer and only to your direct nursing supvr. The bigger deal you make out of it, they will too. However, I do not feel that if you do have a narc restriction that it's fair to withhold that info as it can be burdensome for the nurses you work with. I suggest to my participants to wait until you are at a final interview (why shoot yourself in the foot before you get in the door?) after they get a chance to talk with you and determine that youre someone they wd like to hire. I suggest saying something like "by the way, I am in a nurse monitoring group called IPN. We meet weekly to discusss issues relating to nursing and recovery. It also involves random urine testing and quarterly evals." My old facilitator used to say "be honest, but dont be stupid". I know this is a fustrating part of recovery, but you CAN get thru this, we all did! Good luck!

KD CVICU-RN · Sep 25, 2008

Dear Anne:

Thank you for your reply. I was officially offered the position and when I informed the nurse manager, the offer was rescinded However, I have another interview at a dialysis facility tomorrow and I am keeeping my fingers crossed. How did you go about presenting your PHMP to a prospective employer if they weren't familiar with it? I want to paint IPN in as positive of light as possible while being honest.

southernbeegirl, BSN, RN · Sep 26, 2008

Honesty is a big part of the program. Don't be ashamed of your sobriety in an interview. Be proud of it!! Go in there...tell them about how hard you have worked for your sobriety and be proud of it! keep the whole thing on a positive note.

sissiesmama, ASN, RN · Sep 26, 2008

Dear Anne:
Thank you for your reply. I was officially offered the position and when I informed the nurse manager, the offer was rescinded However, I have another interview at a dialysis facility tomorrow and I am keeeping my fingers crossed. How did you go about presenting your PHMP to a prospective employer if they weren't familiar with it? I want to paint IPN in as positive of light as possible while being honest.

Hey! I was glad to hear from you!! I am sorry that the other job fell through. Maybe they werent the type of people you needed to work for/with anyway! Hopefully you will find a great job where you are appreciated!!

I will keep you in my prayers!

Anne, RNC :loveya:

NMSSDA · Apr 7, 2009

i am looking for more information about this " official IPN book of recovery modules" for florida IPN nurses. I am a newbie to FL IPN and i'm curious about a few things relating to jobs and how IPN gathers information about you/your license. thanks

jackstem · Apr 7, 2009

Here's the link to the FLA IPN Handbook for Participants

http://www.ipnfl.org/securepdf/participantmanual.pdf

Here's the link to the FLA IPN with several links, including one named "CE Recovery Modules":

http://www.ipnfl.org/participant.html

Unfortunately, nursing boards and alternative programs follow no specific format. Each state can have significant variations from one state to another which makes it difficult to answer questions more specifically. When asking questions about what might happen including your state of licensure can help get more specific answers. Much of the information can be found on the board of nursing's web site, or the nursing association.

As a peer advisor I receive several phone calls every week from nurses facing a board investigation. One of the first questions I ask them is if they have an attorney. Administrative law is much different than criminal or civil law. Facing the board without an attorney trained in adminstrative law and experience representing nurses before the board could play havoc with your license and the ability to practice nursing. Attorneys aren't cheap, but losing your case could mean losing your source of income and more money than what you save by representing yourself.

Keep us posted. You're in my prayers.

foraneman · Apr 7, 2009

Dear Anne:
Thank you for your reply. I was officially offered the position and when I informed the nurse manager, the offer was rescinded However, I have another interview at a dialysis facility tomorrow and I am keeeping my fingers crossed. How did you go about presenting your PHMP to a prospective employer if they weren't familiar with it? I want to paint IPN in as positive of light as possible while being honest.

Unless the conditions/restrictions contained in your IPN contract made employing you impossible (and no reasonable accommodation could be made), rescinding the job offer was a violation of the ADA....and one rather easy to prove. If interested, and if it happens again in your job search, know that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) investigates ADA violations free of charge. Any ADA violation complaint MUST be filed with them should you want to take legal action. They also provide an opportunity to mediate.

http://www.eeoc.gov/charge/overview_charge_filing.html