Need some support Florida IPN

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

HELP OUT THERE

I'm living a nightmare over something that happened in another state over 8 years ago. LOONG story. However, I am just beginning the IPN process, have had the evaluation--to the tune of over $1,000 and am now looking for an outpatient program. It does not matter to anyone that I have had 4 major joints replaced and have been dx with 2 autoimmune diseases. I am totally off of any narcotics and am dealing with the pain. What I am most afraid of right now is the IPN. HAS ANYONE EVER GONE THROUGH THIS PROCESS AND BEEN ABLE TO RETURN TO WORK?

Please if anyone has had experience with the Fl. IPN could you post?

swsRN

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to a thread on it's own in the nurses and recovery forum

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Specializes in all areas.

i feel for your concern, i to have just underwent a ipn evalustion, i am was to prescribed medications for several shoulder breaks and am now facing total replacement to my r shoulder.Even though i had valid priscriptions and was currently on workers comp.The evaluater labled me unsafe to work, now let me remind you i had been working as a nurse nine years and had never, been acused of impairment nor deverting, i thought i had nothing to worry about so i went, then i found my self unemployed and just finished iop, now trying to jump thrugh ipns hoops, its not fair we have real medical issues, that doesnt make us a bad nurse,.I struggle everyday i gave so many years to caring and one dr who only saw me for 5 min took my pride my life and another good nurse from the feild.

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SWS RN,

I too am going through the IPN process right now. I was dx last fall with fibromyalgia. The meds they gave me were not working at all, in fact I think they made me worse. Stupidly, I decided to take a waste of Dilaudid one day. This led to continued use, with eventual diversion of anywhere from 2 - 6 mg each day I worked. In March, there was a discrepancy in the narc count on a day I wasn't working, but had stopped by my unit to see a friend. I was made to come in and drug test. That day I tested clean, but the next day I worked, I really stupidly took some. The admin pulled the records from the Omnicell and saw that I was pulling a lot of dilaudid and wasting a lot. They tested me again and forced a confession out of me. I am currently just over 1/2 through an IOP program. I have been unable to work since March 30. I have no idea what to expect when I am allowed to get a job again. My hospital fired me in April, but thankfully did not press charges. I don't even know if I want to go back to nursing, but there are no other jobs out there. I have applied for probably 30 - 40 non-nursing jobs since May. I have felt like a completely useless person. Thankfully, all those I have worked with through PAR and the independent evaluation facility have been great. They have never made me feel bad. IPN on the otherhand makes me feel like a horrible person, not by what they say, but the tone. I wish you the best of luck. Another nurse that was in my IOP has been out of work since last October!

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

I am so sorry to hear that you are going through this hell also.

To update. I have been jumping through all of the IPN hoops. I am in an excellent but very expensive intensive outpatient program that fortunately works with the IPN. The advice just given to me, is----dont question---keep the IPN happy. I agree, I feel less than great after a converstation with them, however, that's their power struggle and I am just trying to do everything in my power to get back to work. It has been 3 months and I am really at an all time low. Ijust found out Friday that I have to appear before the Indiana BON on Sept 17th to try to recify with them. You see, the initial disiplinary action happened on a travel assignment there 8 years ago. I have been licensed in Fl. for 16 years and have been continuously working before and after the incident. My license has always read FREE and clear. Anyway, I turned myself in to the fl. IPN and now I have to just pray. I have also had to deal with the OIG in Wash,DC. Still waiting on their reply.

Long story, cant retell it again, but a variation on the usual theme.

I wish you well, and I fully understand the pain issues. since I have 4 major joint replacements, fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid A and Sarcoidosis.

I am not so sure I even want to practice anymore and the IPN does not make it very condusive to returning to the field.

Good Luck to you all,

Please reply to my post if you have a similar situation with or without a happy ending.

SWS RN

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Specializes in Neuro ICU, Geriatric Rehab.

Just wanted to pop up and offer some support for you during this difficult time. I am there and it sucks. I guess we all just have to keep swimming!!!:typing And posting!!

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

Hi Guys,

Just an update. I was SUCESSFUL in being removed from the OIG exclusions list. The total time was about 9 weeks. I did not use a lawyer or any legal counsel. I answered every question in the packet very thoroughly and honestly. I called the Lead inspector in Washington every week, she was very pleasant and extremely helpful. I did have 4 letters of recommendation stating that I would never "rip off" the US Medicare program. I explained what the original problem was and what I am doing about it. I received the letter on August 20,2009 and it is effective as of that date. However. ...I did "rat myself" out to the Fl. IPN in the meantime as my license was Never affected and now I am doing the INTENSIVE outpatient therapy etc. This all stems from a suspension on a license from 8 years ago in another state....I have to fly next week to that state and appear before the board to ask for reinstatement. They will not just "lift" a suspension. I should be able to return to work within the next month under the IPN lines. NOW for the most important Part. Please, all of you in this situation be absolutely HONEST with yourself....I was SO ****** OFF when this happened,,,,because"my drug usuage was via prescriptions" But once I realized that 480 mgs of morphine a day was a little over the limit to safely work and I got REAL, I have come to really believe that this was a bolt of lightening. I know for a fact now that I have a problem and I am learning the tools to live. I also do not know if I want to return to Nsg, but what else to do?

ANYONE out there===you can get off of the OIG w/o attorney. But please be honest with everyone, especially yourself.

God Bless all of you fighting with this.

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I am also in the IPN program have been in it for over 1 year now and still unable to get employed due to have ing narcotic restrictions for 6 months, I have done the drug and alcohol test like I'm suppose to all clean, my psychiatrist wrote letters to lift the narc restrictions but IPN will not. Not sure if I will every be able to work as a nurse again for one stupid mistake.

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Specializes in all areas.

I had the same issues w FL , had to have surery for injury while working and lost my NL

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I am also (or was) in Florida IPN.I finally got a job after being unemployed for a year due to narc restriction.I was training to be a peritoneal dialysis nurse.I got dismissed from IPN last month because I didn't inform my employer in IPNs time frame of my being in IPN. I never missed or failed a urine screen, always complied with the paperwork.Ipn sent a letter to my supervisor that I was dismissed and wham! Got fired!My employer knew I was in IPN and ok with it, until IPN sent them the letter.I reported to IPN that I was in training and wouldnt start my position for another month. Now I have an attorney and will probably have to go in front of BON for late paperwork! I am voluntarily submitting urine weekly, still attending nurse support group and went for a re-evaluation to prove my sanity and continued sobriety. The last year and a half has been a walk through hell, and is still not over. I will probably be ordered back to IPN, only to start my contract all over again. I feel like its never going to end! When the florida board orders me back to IPN its going to be without a narc restriction, thats what my attorney is working on.I have been C&S for 1.5 years and I need to go back to work soon. Wish me luck!

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to limboagain & others: i just have a little bit of advice: yes, this is a difficult & lengthy process, but you can make it a little easier on yourself by following the mandates of your monitoring program precisely. it will keep them happy & make it easier on yourself. the program i am in clearly states that an employer & the case manager have to have a meeting (even if by telephone) & an agreement prior to you being approved to take a position. and there was specific return to work paperwork that had to be filled out & signed by my employer prior to my starting even training for my position. 10 months into my program, & i haven't had any problems with compliance or the program but i have done everything by the book- makes life easier for me!! good luck & hang in there!!!

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery and skilled nursing..

I am in the same boat as you and have been out of work for a year. Don't know what to do?

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