Just got the dreaded phone call

Healer555 · Dec 14, 2023

Nursefailure said:

Well, I got fired a year into a 3 year contract after testing positive for opiates that I'm not prescribed/investigated for diversion/suspension without pay for over a week. I knew that there was a 50-50 chance I'd be fired. I'm actually OK? I'm relieved that I hit rock bottom and I can finally get up. I am scared that once they notify the board I'm ***ED. What am I going to do for work? How do I go ahead and enter a monitoring program? I'm licensed in TX but have a compact license and live in VA now. I know I need help. I'm scared. I'm hopeful. Any advice and encouraging words would be appreciated!

Did they say they were going to report you?

Nursefailure · Dec 15, 2023

They did tell me they were reporting me.

Healer555 · Dec 15, 2023

Nursefailure said:

They did tell me they were reporting me.

OK. Lawyer would know if no one here does. The monitoring program is really awful but doable.

TIMFY · Dec 15, 2023

How long have you been living in VA? It may get a little interesting if you're licensed in Texas (even though it is compact), I think you are supposed to switch your license within 60 days. I get what you mean about being relieved though. You will get through this.

ETA you may be in luck, it looks like that rule goes into effect in January, not sure what the rule is now.

TeaCea · Dec 17, 2023

I would definitely self report to the board of nursing and enroll in TPAN (Texas Nurses). This would show initiative from you towards getting help. I would focus on getting what you need before returning to work if at all possible.

Good Luck

subee, MSN, CRNA · Dec 18, 2023

TeaCea said:

I would definitely self report to the board of nursing and enroll in TPAN (Texas Nurses). This would show initiative from you towards getting help. I would focus on getting what you need before returning to work if at all possible.

Good Luck

Plus a lawyer. American Associan of Nurse Attorneys. Being in a monitoring program doesn't mean you can't work as a nurse.

Scared2020 · Dec 18, 2023

Being in monitoring doesn't exclude you from working as a nurse but having your license suspended does. I self reported before my employer did but I still got mine suspended for 12 months (MN).

Good luck OP. It's been a long (3 year) road for me and I had to work a different job (my fault it took so long I am squeamish to go back to nursing). I honestly probably would be dead if I hadn't been caught thought so I am grateful

subee, MSN, CRNA · Dec 19, 2023

Scared2020 said:

Being in monitoring doesn't exclude you from working as a nurse but having your license suspended does. I self reported before my employer did but I still got mine suspended for 12 months (MN).

Good luck OP. It's been a long (3 year) road for me and I had to work a different job (my fault it took so long I am squeamish to go back to nursing). I honestly probably would be dead if I hadn't been caught thought so I am grateful

That is true re: suspension but suspension (in the program I worked in) was variable according to individual circumstances. Most drug users had their licenses suspended for the first 90 days and then got them back to work in areas with no narcotic exposure. They really disnt have time to work with meetings, etc. Then there were others whi were still too sick at 90 days. Some nurses landed in the program who had already been in rehab and back to work but never enrolled in a diversion program. If they had a year of test results, they were good to go.

Jammer52 · Dec 19, 2023

Been there, done it. Please take encouragement from the information and support you find here. That feeling of waiting for the board to find out is the absolute worst. All of this is much easier to deal with, if you're sober/clean, so I would start there. I found support in AA meetings, but meetings are like churches, some are good, with good people, and others are weird, with weird people, you have to look around and find one that has kind, sober, non-judgemental people there with the right heart for others. As another commenter said, being in a monitoring program absolutely doesn't mean you can't work as a nurse, and as another said - lawyer up, wisely, making use of phone consultations and compare pricing to make your decision. I would just come back around to the fact that all of this is doable, and able to be dealt with, and find joy and happiness in life, even while in a program, IF, you are able to say goodbye to whatever substances you depended on or used recklessly or whatever. If you're not ready to say goodbye, get ready for more trouble - I've done it both ways, I know. I wish you all the very best, you will be in my prayers nursefailure, and by the way, change that, because failing once, or one hundred times, does NOT mean that you as a person, and as a licensed nurse, are a failure.

Nursefailure · Dec 19, 2023

TIMFY said:

How long have you been living in VA? It may get a little interesting if you're licensed in Texas (even though it is compact), I think you are supposed to switch your license within 60 days. I get what you mean about being relieved though. You will get through this.

ETA you may be in luck, it looks like that rule goes into effect in January, not sure what the rule is now.

so I spoke to TPAPN and I am able to participate in Virginia because they're mostly virtual..according to who I spoke to.

I have read mostly negative things about TPAPN but hopefully it is doable and I can move on!

TIMFY · Dec 20, 2023

Nursefailure said:

I have read mostly negative things about TPAPN but hopefully it is doable and I can move on!

I finished my 3 years in TPAPN earlier this year and I actually thought it was way easier than I thought it was going to be. I would have started earlier if I would have known! LOL my CM was very agreeable and understanding and always willing to help me out.