IPN question

Nurses Recovery

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Hello everyone,

Recently I was put into the IPN program, I haven't even been told exactly what will take place. All I know is that I will be out of work for a period of time while going to meetings and seeing a counselor and so forth. My question to anyone out there that's either been in this situation or knows about it...how long can I expect to be out? 2-3 months???

I have not had this narcotics abuse issue for a long time and I have only been a RN for 10months. Any information would help ease this anxiety.

I have learned a huge lesson already and am willing to do whatever it takes to get better again.

Thanks,

Athena77

Hey there fellow IPN participant. Im actually getting ready to start very soon. Im in Fort myers. Any advice would be appreciated.

Welcome aboard, davis! I'm way north of you, so I don't know anything specific about the nurse support groups in your area. I have several IPN related posts here; please feel free to peruse at your leisure.

Again, I welcome you.

Smitty

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Specializes in ICU, PICU, School Nursing, Case Mgt.

Davis,

Welcome!

I am on the other side of Fl-in PB county.

If you have any specific questions feel free to PM me...my experience with IPN has been very positive so far.

I read your post on Suboxone and I whole heartedly agree! If you haven't already done so, please go back and read my entry regarding my experience with that stuff...it was poison. It is amazing how much better you feel when you are off of everything!

Much luck to you,

s

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I have been involved with IPN for nearly 2 years now, not by my own choice. My life has been turned upside down and it seems as if I have no control over anything.

My employer is who called IPN and reported me over false accusations. There was never any proof to back up my employer's accusations. I was basically told I sign the contract or I get reported to the Board. Being completely overwhelmed I signed the contract. That was 1 of the biggest mistake of my life.

My employer must have called in 6 more times with more bogus accusations. Again no proof to back up the accusations. I go though the whole IPN evaluation and cough up hundreds of dollars each time. My case manager get my evaluation each time and even though my employer never showed proof of the said accusations. It doesn't matter. All the accusations count against me.

IPN in my eyes is in major need of some sort of restructure. It blows my mind that someone can make a accusation against you and you are marked as guilty, end of story. No one looks into the accusations that have been reported on you. IPN doesn't request or require any type of proof of accusations. Just a simple call in over so called concerns.

Im just so over all of this and IPN I could scream in a language that I dont even speak.

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Hi davis I'm also new to IPN and located in Fort Myers. We should chat more if u want.

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Hi davis I'm also new to IPN and located in Fort Myers. We should chat more if u want.

I have to travel to Central Fort Myers for my NSG. I have heard many different stories about NSG's. I wish I knew how I could get more information about each group in the area I have to travel to. My group is draining me. Physically, Emotionally and Financially. It seems every time I turn around my group leader is asking for more money. Currently I have to pay $20.00 weekly (no matter if you are working or not). There are a couple people in my group who seems like the whole world turns around them. Then we get hit with this workbook (not the IPN one), by the group leader. We have to do a chapter each week and bring it back with us to our meeting.

I am not required to attend any AA or NA meetings, but my group leader keeps telling me that I need to go and get this goofy signoff list done weekly or they will be forced to contact my case manager and let them know I am not following my IPN contract. I have told my group leader and shown them that I do not have to attend these meetings.

Oh Hell. I have no clue any more. I am so tired of everything right now. It seems as if I am a puppet on a string and I am no longer in control of my own life.

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Specializes in icu,ccu,sicu,crna.

Michigans requirements are similar to FLA's. They make it almost impossible to get a job. The financial ruin/suffering is an unwritten part of the program. Why RN's who suffer from addiction deserve this type of treatment I don't know. And why BON's or IPN's/HPRP's feel that this is necessary to our recovery I don't know. It certainly is a trend through all the programs. Are we safer practitioners because we have suffered severe financial hardship? Is the public protected because we have lost our home and declared bankruptcy? Maybe we should treat our fellow RN's who suffer from asthma, COPD, HTN, or diabetes this way to assist their recovery. :confused:

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I concure with other posters, follow you contract to the letter. Make it thru the year and then you will be done. I am in I p n and just recently we had a member of or group at the monthly fla Bon meeting. Lying and trying to get around the system is the thing they least tolerate. I have seen this first hand many times. These people had their licenses revoked. R.e.v.o.k.e.d! The initial violations were small in comparison to what others did, but they lied to the board and there was no mercy. Please don't risk what you worked so hard for. I understand losing a house is hard. I did that. Without my license, I don't have a chance to have another one. I had to move in with family and am still there. It was a blow to my ego but my ego needed it. I wish you well.

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:mad::mad::mad::mad:I gotta tell you, I am sick and ****tired of being treated as non-human without care or concern for me. I had a meltdown at work recently, crying, forgot to label a lab specimen and snapped at another employee. Now not only did I get terminated, I am having to do IPN for a 5 year contract. Spending money that I don't have. Requiring abstinence from using the ativan that I use a whole 6 times a month, and the ambien that I use a whopping 8 days a month, and percocet which I hadn't yet used and alcohol which I drink maybe twice a year. The night I had this meltdown no urine drug screen was offered nor did I think to ask for it. I have a history of being treated for depression and anxiety since 1991. I understand the patient safety isssue but I don't need to be in a program which is going to cost a fortune for 5 years. I wouldn't even disagree with a year, but 5!!!!! RIDICULOUS!!! It's ridiculous that as a nurse I should be expected to not medicate pain or anxiety or insomnia. OMG what nurse hasn't been required to take a course that preaches that you must medicate a patients pain. Heck if you don't medicate the patient you can face discipline, even a lawsuit. I am not saying that any nurse should be working if impaired by drugs or alcohol. If they exhibit signs of this, drug test their ***. If they are positive and obviously impaired by the substance then send them to ipn. But an anxiety attack...doesn't the EEOC protect the psychiatrically ill workers? Well what about the nurse who suffers from this? And I submit to you that at least 70% of practicing nurses suffer from psychiatric illness,caused in no small part due to the job that we are asked to do. Yet we are punished. When is somebody going to put a stop to this discrimination?!! Where are the nurse lobbyists, what are they doing for us besides collecting dues for membership in nurse organizations and getting rich selling the nursing magazines? Who is speaking for the nurse?
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What does NMMSDA mean? I am located in Florida.

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