NC AP Program, time til eval?

[Sheb]

I will unfortunately be going into the NC program soon, I was wondering what others have experienced with how long it took from the time you call the program until the time you have a treatment plan (board states I have 10 days from submitting their offer of resolution to submit proof of enrollment and treatment plan in the AP program) So is the initial evaluation and getting you started into the program typically quite fast/under 10 days?

[SheelaDavis]

You can enroll in the AP program now. Call them and tell them what the BON told you. This enrollment can take 10 minutes, they send you forms, you complete and sign them, email them back, and you have a treatment plan with 24 to 48 hours. The initial eval is usually with 10 days, but what does the BON truly want?

They want to see that you are enrolled in the AP program quickly. The BON knows and understands the initial eval might be longer than 10 days, but the AP program will give you a standard temporary treatment plan that you can submit to the BON and that plan can be altered after your initial eval, then you send the altered/updated plan to the BON.

The AP and Discipline program work closely with the BON. They communicate. Do not worry. Additionally, you have a golden opportunity because you are in the AP program which isn't public like the discipline program. 3 things you need to do to keep it private and from being converted to the public-disciplinary program and they are....

1. Don't do alcohol or drugs.

2. Don't miss check ins.

3. Submit your monthly recovery meetings/report ON TIME. Do not be late.

Do the above 3 and you will walk the program easily and after 2 months, the routine above becomes a normal part of life, a routine, and believe it or not, it's not a huge stressor anymore. 

You got this. COMMUNICATE. Be ready to send what the BON told you/wrote to you to the AP program coordinator and stress the importance of your timeline! The AP program will be aware and they work with the BON and you aren't the only person that gets the  "10 days until treatment plan" verbiage from the BON. It's common and the AP program knows this, but you still need to reinforce it.

After you get off the phone with the AP program, call the BON or email them and let them know you entered the program and you gave the AP program your (the BONs) instructions. This is PROACTIVE communication, not reactive, and the BON loves PROACTIVE communication as does the AP program.

If your case manager tells you that he or she is going to send over a copy of your treatment plan to board, TELL the BON immediately exactly what the AP program case manager told you. If the case manager writes it in an email, then send a copy of that email to the BON. This is PROactive communication. You aren't ASSuming he or she will send it. What if the case manager has a health emergency or clicks one wrong stroke of the keyboard to the BON email address and it doesn't go through? Do NOT automatically ASSume the BON will get it. This is why you IMMEDIATELY email the BON and tell them the very second that your case manager from AP said he or she will send the BON your treatment plan. This covers you in case your case manager from AP makes a mistake. See my point here? Lots of this program is just active communication and AGGRESSIVE and proactive communication.

[SheelaDavis]

Other tips for nurse recovery programs. Create a folder TODAY on your phone, tablet or PC. Label that folder, BON Receipts. Save ALL emails you send to them by cutting and pasting the email into a Word Document. When you get a response via email from the BON, cut and paste the email including the date and time onto a Word Document and put that in your folder. This will cover you not just over the next 2 or 3 months, but if an issue comes up in 2 years, you have the email copies with date and time and you win.

Same thing for your recovery program case manager. Do a receipt folder for all emails sent and received. Trust me on this. It will come in handy and serve you well.