MA SARP

Nurses Recovery

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Hi All,

Is anyone here in the MA SARP program? I’m wondering about other’s experience working while in SARP, and colleague relationships given some of the license restrictions such as inability to administer narcotic medications. How has this impacted your work environment?

Thanks!

The same thing happened to me actually. I passed the peth and they took no action but they still considered it a violation so I had to wait an extra month before I was eligible to work again. How much did you drink? It takes a pretty heavy amount of drinking to fail a peth. If you just slipped up once you'll be fine. 

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@tyson 

OMG are you working as a nurse yet? And you had to take a month off??

I drank 1 week ago...I'm pretty sure from all the research I read that I'm going to fail.  I drank a pretty good amount that night (ughhh!! Why did I do this!???).  Now I really screwed myself im sure...and I'm scared.  

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It happened for me before I was working so it didn't really make a difference. Are you working now?  I'm not sure what they will do if you fail. Maybe just extend your time in the program, hard to say. 

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Has anyone ever admitted to having a slip up on alcohol.... Before doing a Peth blood test (which will most likely be positive)? And what did they do?

I really wish there was more support in this program...

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Tyson said:

It happened for me before I was working so it didn't really make a difference. Are you working now?  I'm not sure what they will do if you fail. Maybe just extend your time in the program, hard to say. 

No ..not yet.  It was supposed to be soon though.   I wish there was more support in this program....any support actually 

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Specializes in Psych RN for over 30yrs.

Hi there-I have some feedback for you. I'm glad I saw your post here. I've been in SARP since April of 2021 for reference. 
 

Recently I went through a nightmare. I tested positive for codeine last 12/29. I've never in my life taken codeine or heroin which is what the MRO said it had to be-or poppy seeds. Long story shorter-it had to have been poppy seeds. My hair test was negative, they let it go, and I was able to return to work. I still don't, & likely never will, know what I ate. I did a full research on levels, cutoffs, and explored my level in context. I wrote it up and sent it to them with references. It was very good bc it really did prove it couldn't be anything other than poppy seeds. 
 

They still called it a violation, no action taken. I'll tell you straight away the MRO sucks-at least in my situation. He cold called me at work and spoke to me like I was a criminal, and I believe tried to get me to admit something I didn't do. It was uncalled for at best. If I ever spoke to a patient that way it would beyond a doubt be unprofessional. Through my research I found a synopsis of MRO responsibilities. He didn't interview me, didn't educate me on any nuance of context, what my options were for testing, and what all that would mean. Nothing. Like a junk yard dog really. Mark didn't explain things either and left everything to me to decide what to do which I nearly went mad over. 
 

My first hair test was "not enough" bc it was a more complex panel than usual. Not the nurses fault they took what was for the typical hair panel. Mark was vague on if they would accept the panel that can be done with that hair sample, and wouldn't give me a solid yes re-do it, or no it's fine. So I went and redid the hair sample and I have a hole of a space where all that hair was. It's really bad but I kept my long hair and it's just like a thin veil over the back but you can't see it. 
 

I was pulled from work and that's protocol but was detrimental to my reputation, credibility, and bank account. The point of all this is to say, in your case if the second f/u screen was negative meaning they consider it alcohol that wasn't ingested, they're not going to do anything to you but it will still be a "violation" as the first test was positive. It's black & white on that. 
 

I would strongly recommend to not talk about anything. Address your relapse through the 12-step program of AA. You're welcome to do "90 in 90”-90 meetings in 90 days. Talk to & process with people you trust. And most importantly move on. Relapse in 6/2020 is what got me into SARP so I can relate believe me. I was quite nearly suicidal over it, and don't know that I ever will truly get over the guilt and shame I feel because of it. But I just focus on improving various areas in my life such that I feel better about myself as a person. 
 

If there is anything you can do while in SARP, that you wouldn't normally do or be able to do otherwise, you may want to consider acting on that (if you haven't already!). This way when your discharged from the program you will have an accomplishment to ground you. Something other than being able to work without the imperial dynasty of SARP lurking over your shoulder in every corner of your life. I've don't this by working on a masters degree in psychology bc when I relapsed I was about to enter my last year of the psych NP at Northeastern, and I had to leave due to my license being encumbered. Big blow indeed. Im terribly in debt but I just don't care. School has enabled me to focus on something else that no one can take from me. I can't worry or think about SARP and delve into my neuroscience studies at the same time. It's just not possible. Doing something you know that for you will make a difference in your life and the way you feel I believe is worth it. 
 

I really hope the best for you!

 

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Wow I'm sorry to hear that happened to you. And Honestly since I have started working again, the fear of getting pulled out of work for a false positive or dilute has left me really anxious for the time following me giving the sample until the results are posted (which takes almost 2 weeks). I think the common theme with this program is that it is really disorganized and poorly run, which results in added stress to people who already suffer with mental illness. I had a dilute result some time ago and it was during the same time that I had a job offer. They wouldn't approve the position and then had me wait to be heard from SAREC and the BORN. That was during the Summer so I guess all of those members were on vacation or something so the hearing kept getting pushed back by a month because they couldn't get enough members to show up and make a decision, so I wasn't able to accept the position because the employer stated they couldn't wait that long. I haven't had any issues since I've started working and I'm just hoping that I'll cruise along until the end of this 3 years which will be late next year.  They have a couple of new people working in there now so maybe they'll know the policies better than they guy who I have been dealing with, who is always vague about everything because I don't think he knows what's going on. 

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Specializes in Psych RN for over 30yrs.

Another issue for me is the therapist situation. I'm on my 4 th one due to people leaving the practice and whatnot. Problem is no one I have ever seen has knowledge of what SARP is. I spend an over abundance of time explaining why this or that. And over again. I've asked for a referral to someone who works with people in SARP. They won't do it. Given that if you start seeing someone they need to submit quarterly reports for you, potentially write letters, accept your contract as read, and anything else that comes up don't you think a referral is appropriate? It's reasonable? But nope your on your own. So I'm stuck now with someone who's wildly inappropriate but I continue to go put up with nonsense inly to satisfy my requirement. It's crazy really. 

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Specializes in OR.
Tyson said:

 

Hi there,

I have just become aware of you all who are also in MA SARP.  I've been looking to connect with others dealing with this program and its strife.  Unfortunately, I am having trouble figuring out how to connect privately with y'all.  Any guidance would be appreciated.

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I am having a hard time finding a job that will accommodate basic medication privileges. Does anyone have advice on "SARP friendly" nursing jobs?

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Many clinics don't give controlled substances. If they do it's few and far between and you could just manage with someone else giving them for 1st 6 months. Other than that maybe dialysis

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Do you have to work in a nursing role in order to complete MA SARP?  

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