IPN question (enter or not?)

Karl Farmer · Aug 17, 2011

You are lucky you are not in the state of AZ- if you are arrested for public urination, you are classified a sex offender, and the registration and lifelong ramifications of that. But youre counseling sessions and random drug drops are a small part of that program, you need to get all the details to see how life altering, and expensive the program is. And again, in AZ, if you don't volunteer for the program, it's worse to be directed into it- since any failure of any step leads to license loss. (Here, for any drug or alcohol issue your first step is a 4-6 week inpatient rehab, at which time you also cannot work. The BON decided whether it is 4 or 6 weeks. Also, most insurers don't cover that).

evandavid24 · Aug 17, 2011

That is absolutely draconian. How is it possible that groups of nursing have not gotten together to protest this nazi-like treatment? It is frightening the power and influence they (state boards of nursing and IPN) have over the autonomy of nurses. If anyone has a petition to repeal these drastic punitive judgments, or some kind of lobbying group to eliminate the power of these boards, please let me know. I'm interested. I think in my case I'm just going to have to look elsewhere for employment; too many hoops to jump thru, too much red tape and bureaucracy and too much sacrifice of personal freedom.

Karl Farmer · Aug 17, 2011

How about American society as a whole getting together? Nope, won't happen. People in this country omly care about themselves, and are not proactive even in the face of the liked of the Patriot Act and other chipping away at our rights. And if you read enough posts in here, you'll see the total lack of solidarit in the nursing profession, as an example. Go to your state BON and see how many licenses are revoked, denied, suspended, etc. at any given time. Now, in AZ, ONE med error, if it considered 'serious' is cause to revoke a license, downgraded from the prior 'consistent pattern of medication errors' that used to be causative. So if you work LTC, have 30 patients, you have at least 1000 opportunities every day to lose your livelihood.

Karl Farmer · Aug 17, 2011

I'm online for classes all day, and also am fanatical about true crime, law updates that strip freedom, and whatnot, so I am an encyclopdia of scary trends, BTW. But speaking of Draconian, I nominate the Georgia BON for the worst case offender in trying to obtain a nursing license- read their application, it's 25 pages. I had to laugh, it's so sad. If ever you wet your diaper, as a baby I mean, not as an adult fetish!, or jaywalked, you will never get a license in that state.

evandavid24 · Aug 18, 2011

just found out that I cannot get my RN license until under contract w/IPN. This involves: at least 14 random drug/alcohol screens per yr at a cost of 45$ per screen. Also 6 "educational courses" at what cost? They "didn't know". Plus weekly nurse support group mtgs, plus wkly AA meetings, plus reporting IPN involvement to any employer. Contract is 2 yrs with possible termination after 1 yr if compliant with everything! All this for urinating outside and getting charged with Disorderly Intox in November of 2008! I am still in shock over this, am considering getting an atty. I just can't fathom this kind of treatment. Never, in 7 yrs of my LPN license has an empoyer expressed anything but high marks for my performance. Someone must be making some serious bank on this situation.

samirish · Aug 18, 2011

Sadly, yours isn't the first case I've heard of where the BON reacts in such a manner. Far from it, in fact. It sounds like your life is going to get very complicated very quickly. I'm sorry you have to go through this. The punishment does not fit the crime and its startling when you learn how extreme the board is allowed to be.

Good luck to you and I wish you well.

Karl Farmer · Aug 19, 2011

just found out that I cannot get my RN license until under contract w/IPN. This involves: at least 14 random drug/alcohol screens per yr at a cost of 45$ per screen. Also 6 "educational courses" at what cost? They "didn't know". Plus weekly nurse support group mtgs, plus wkly AA meetings, plus reporting IPN involvement to any employer. Contract is 2 yrs with possible termination after 1 yr if compliant with everything! All this for urinating outside and getting charged with Disorderly Intox in November of 2008! I am still in shock over this, am considering getting an atty. I just can't fathom this kind of treatment. Never, in 7 yrs of my LPN license has an empoyer expressed anything but high marks for my performance. Someone must be making some serious bank on this situation.

In AZ, I figured the 3 years it takes for the 'voluntary' program would haave cost me $500 per month. Do the math. It starts here with swearing out an affidavit that I 'admit I am an addict', then inpatient rehab for 4-6 weeks, based on the BON assessment. This, for a simple DUI, no damage, or injury, and 25 years excellent remarks, even from state surveyors. But also FUI, look for the 'ipn trouble' posting in here then sit back all night and read those horror stories. You'll be assured that the IPN program is BS, random, arbitrary, nonsensical, and horror-filled. Good luck, lady.

diva rn, BSN, RN · Aug 19, 2011

After you stop spouting off and settle down, think about this....there are about 1,200 nurses currently in the IPN.

Everyone is getting through it...you do what you have to do.. It's a pain in the neck but it's very doable...the uds screens are random and can be anywhere from 3 weeks to 6 weeks out. The "educational" groups are called peer support groups which meet weekly--they are more like group gripe sessions--we are all friends and bounce everything that's going on in everyone's lives off of each other weekly...there are currently 12 in my group and my facilitator has another group 1 hour before us with another 13. Your facilitator is your lifeline to the IPN..she or he will advocate for you, will fill out a quarterly report and also give you a good reference if you need one for a job. Ours has been instrumental in helping many of our group find jobs and helping them get hired. The cost for the peer group meetings/education is $60 per month (that covers the cost of the education materials and the rent on the building/costs). THe uds screens is $42 per month not $45...there are no other costs involved...AA is an honor system...and it sounds like you should be going anyway...no real cost involved there...

Bottom line is....HOW BADLY DO YOU WANT YOUR LICENSE?

Listen...no one wants to do this...but it goes by SO fast...especially since you will only have a 2 year contract..and you will probably be able to get an early finish...(if you are compliant)..so if you stop trying to fight this and just do it it!... is what it is, and unfortunately the BON and the IPN hold all of the cards, it will fly by...

Once you complete the contract, nothing shows up on your license, it's free and clear...

I don't think an attorney will be able to fight this...I sat through an entire day of the FL BON hearings in June of 2010 and everyone who tried to get out of the IPN--even with an attorney...was not able to do so...you can try...but it may cost you some serious money for the attorney...and still end up in the IPN..and then you would have drawn attention to yourself by the IPN...(name of the game is under the radar)...

whatever you decide...good luck...it's really ok...I agree...it sucks...but it's ok

PS...the IPN is not making any "serious" money from this..it's private non profit..the money goes mainly to first lab.

SineQuaNon, MSN, RN, NP · Aug 20, 2011

I have to agree with the previous post, it sounds as if it sucks, but once you get into it, you just do what has to be done. In Cali I have to go to an NA or AA meeting EVERY DAY, RN support group once a week, intensive outpatient treatment for 9 weeks, and random drug testing at $100 a pop 4-5 x a month. The program here is 3 years and I've just started. But something odd happened once I began. I actually enjoy going to the meetings! The experience is really good for me. Once you surrender yourself to the process I think you'll find it will change you in positive ways you never imagined.

all_over_again · Aug 20, 2011

AA and/or NA are for those who don't want to think really hard about the evolutionary and genetic aspects of addiction. If you are religious and want to be subjected to addicts whose only outlet is addiction to Jesus, then by all means, join a program. If you don't buy into their higher power business, then they will assume something is wrong with you.

They will argue, "But my higher power is a door knob, or g.o.d. (good orderly direction)", but ultimately, the program is based on a protestant interpretation of a supreme being, and not all of us can go there.

You can argue, "But I only peed on some bushes!" Too bad. There is too much money to be made off of your so-called recovery. You are screwed.

Find another career field or prepare for a financial ******. Make some money and find an atheist attorney who is ready to clean house with these BON morons.

Regards, AOA aka DG

diva rn, BSN, RN · Aug 21, 2011

AA and/or NA are for those who don't want to think really hard about the You can argue, "But I only peed on some bushes!" Too bad. There is too much money to be made off of your so-called recovery. You are screwed.
Find another career field or prepare for a financial ***** Make some money and find an atheist attorney who is ready to clean house with these BON morons.
Regards, AOA aka DG

That's a good idea in theory but I am here to tell you that Roy Black will not be able to help you in front of the Board....never the less you can try!

I am amazed at the people who are NOT actually IN the IPN who respond as if they know what it's all about....I suggest you keep your comments about the IPN to yourself unless you are an active participant or have completed a contract.

I would love to know where everyone keeps getting the idea that there is money being made from the IPN...in the words of pop culture...show me the money...It costs me roughly $102/m for the IPN participation...I think that's a pretty good deal when you consider it allows me to keep my license current and in good standing....

Again, to the OP, it's your choice, try to fight it and see what happens...it's up to you...