MI nurse looking for HPRP advice

poppycat, ADN, BSN · Jan 26, 2013

I sent you a PM about my experience with HPRP.

brayrn · Feb 8, 2013

while I do no have a substance abuse problem & have never done anything to jeopardize patient care. In 2011, after having suffered a series of personal losses, I had a breakdown. Took a leave from work to deal with my issues, and, in the course of therapy was told about an organization (HPRP) which I was told provided group meetings to help healthcare workers with the stressors of our field. Sounded good, so I contacted my hospital's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) & left a voicemail stating I was interested in learning about HPRP. Never heard back from EAP but a few weeks later was informed by the state I had been reported for substance abuse. Unbelievable. I was given the option of signing the HPRP contract or loss of licensure. This has been a nightmare. Just came from my first AA meeting, lots of old men talking about their drinking days...YIKES, and that is just the tip of the iceberg. 3 years of this demeaning, demoralizing, punitive crap; I don't think I'm gonna make it. It's enough to make me actually want to start drinking.

all_over_again · Feb 13, 2013

HPRP is a career killer. There's no silver lining. They aren't there to help. Honestly, I think they exist solely to prevent nurses from being nurses.

Do not be honest and do not throw yourself at the mercy of the board. If you can afford an attorney, get one and let him or her do your talking for you. You will NOT get a fair shake unless you do. Even then, you're on shaky ground. Having written that, assuming that you are going to bust your behind for a job, the only advice I can give is to play along. If they say jump, you say "How high?". Go to every meeting you can. Find Jesus. Try to stay off the RADAR. Save your money, because at some point, they are going to find a way to gouge you.

I don't play well with others so I work in a law firm now. Good luck to you! AOA

NotafriendofBillW · Feb 23, 2013

Hi, I am looking for any MI nurses that have been or are currently in a monitoring agreement with HPRP. I am currently in IOP and will enter the monitoring agreement on Feb 11th. I am feeling scared and anxious. Taking with someone that is familiar with the process would be nice. :-)

I was involved with HPRP in the 90's and it was the worst experience of my life. In my opinion once under contract with this agency you ate ALWAYS guilty until you can prove your innocence. My number one complaint however is the huge costs associated with the contract. During my time in the HPRP program there was only 1 HPRP approved physician in my city. He was ( as mist addictionologists ) very arrogant and critical. I participated in a weekly meeting with this Dr ( caduceus ) as ordered by HPRP, this meeting generally had approximately 50 other healthcare professionals who were also ( as a part of the HPRP contract ) ordered to attend this meeting.In these caduceus meetings I was horrified to witness many people being humiliated. If an individual had recently experienced a relapse they were subject to some very harsh treatment. ( name calling, raised voices, intimidation ) I felt this was unacceptable, but the addictionologist that was in charge of the meeting never reprimanded anyone for their inappropriate behavior, it appeared he enjoyed watching this humiliation just as much as the so called "professionals" who were behaving like angry children. I was also ordered to attend AA meetings several times a week while on contract. I found this helpful at first, I made many friends, but after a relapse I felt "looked down upon" and disrespected. Eventually I surrendered my liscense because I could no longer afford the cost of weekly drops and Dr's appointments. I left AA and found another Dr. I was prescribed suboxone and have been sober for many years. Although I would never suggest that someone attempts to become sober without AA, I can safely say that for me AA made my life miserable for many years. I found AA to be full of cliques ( like high school ) with a hierarchy that was intolerable. I also believe the constant exposure to stories of relapse affected my own sobriety negatively. In AA they say you are never free from the disease of addiction. I disagree. I am RECOVERED not in a constant state of fighting to be in recovery. So my advice is this, lay low, follow the contract and get the hell out of there.

HunnieBadger · Feb 25, 2013

I'm not sure that any states programs to help nurses are any better than the other. Most are very punitive and stressful, that you in no way can feel any benefits from therapies! Just keep in mind that it's just another box to be checked. I told my husband I felt as if I was a computer and someone kept hitting control-alt-delete on me. All things said I know this too shall pass and it will make me a better nurse in the end. More understanding and willing to help my fellow recoverers.

brayrn · Jun 25, 2014

********* Law Group. ******* ***** Michigan. Fought for me and won.

Mcm79 · Oct 13, 2014

Hello amber24c can I ask how u doing I just signed a contract and I'm n ur same shoes need help and advice is it anyway I can contact anybody on this site via telephone or personal email

Mcm79 · Oct 13, 2014

I wish u can pm me or give me some advice ugh a nightmare is a understatement

poppycat, ADN, BSN · Oct 13, 2014

I wish u can pm me or give me some advice ugh a nightmare is a understatement

I just sent you a pm with my email address.

perkins040275 · May 2, 2015

Could you contact me and tell me about your experience and which law group you went to? Please.

perkins040275 · May 2, 2015

Could you give me some details and the name of the law group? Please?