IPN Advice

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I'm a newer nurse who got caught diverting. Had issues coming off steroids, working overnights was killing me. I admitted what I did, was not reported to board, self reported to IPN. Not addicted to opioids as I was only on my own as a nurse for a short time, thankfully. Had an evaluation in Pompano Beach, cost $1550, plus had to hair follicle test for $300. A nurse practitioner interviewed me and said the doctor may come in at some point but never did. I never spoke to the doctor only the NP. IPN received the evaluation but said it was too general. They requested something more from the doctor, which I suspected that it wouldn't be good if they are going back and asking for more. What gets me is I never spoke to the doctor and have asked twice for a copy of the evaluations but still never received. Took a month for the doctor to give IPN what they needed. IPN sends me a letter stating I need PHP 20 hours minimum a week (partial hospitalization treatment). Gives me 3 places to choose from that cost $22,000-$25,000 for 30 days. Don't have a job or insurance and my caseworker basically telling me if I don't comply that they will close my file and report me to the board. I did an outpatient program when I initially got caught, but they won't accept it. I'm looking around at other places but my caseworker says they have to be IPN approved. Has anyone been able to go outside IPN's recommended facilities? Not sure what to do. I know I put myself in this situation but just trying to salvage my career.

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Specializes in OR.

My dear....at the risk of sounding like a broken record in repeating what everyone else across this forum says...Lawyer up!! Said lawyer will not be able to get you out of having to deal with an IPN contract but your willingness to state that “yeah I made some bad decisions and need some help” and to go and get that help without those clowns forcing you to should be enough.
There is nothing magical about any of IPNs ‘approved’ options that make them any better than any treatment that you’ve already received. Both you and that lawyer ought to be questioning what the IPN shills’ grounds are for claiming that you need to repeat treatment.
Were IPN not the money grubbing vortex of idiocy that exists to do nothing except ruin people and part them from money and their career by ‘recommandating’ useless and repetitive treatments and evaluations, by holding your license hostage the simplest thing to do would be to just issue you a contract, start your monitoring and you get on your way to working on whatever got you in thier gunsights to begin with.
But that is not as $$$$ lucrative for them and their cronies, hence the recommendation for the lawyer. Chances are all said lawyer would need to do is write a letter or 2, maybe a phone call, inquiring as to why you are being forced to repeat something you’ve already done. You could also take that up with the board yourself, but especially with what is going on with current events, that could take forever.....

These people depend you being afraid of them and not knowing that you have rights too.

Check TAANA.org. You’ll find that there are specifically 2 major law firms in FL that are well versed in this matter. I personally used one and was very happy. I would highly recommend either though.

Good luck.

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Thank you for your response. I have a consultation with an attorney tomorrow morning.

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Yes please do get a lawyer . I waited too long and now I'm worst off than I was and my issue had nothing to do with an actual addiction. They do hold your license as leverage and threaten more than what they can actually do from my case. If I had gotten a lawyer I would not be on my current situation and yes with this current crisis nothing is gonna get done at the board level for now. Good luck to you.

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