New to IPN in FL - Looking for a little insight

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hi everyone... i am 34 and being referred to the ipn program for the first time. i have read your advice from other posts but what i havent found is... what is to be excepted from this 3 hour, expensive eval. i have scheduled on friday. i have never been in any kind of trouble in my life and really do not know what to expect. i signed a doctors name to a rx thinking that i would be okay. i never realized the trouble that it would cause. thank goodness the doctor or the hospital is pressing charges. i just have to go to this ipn before i can return to work. i was made to take a uds before being put on inactive status as an employee until this thing is resolved. my drug screen was clear but technically that was not my crime, it was considered forgery. if any one has any advise on what to expect on friday. i would really appreciate it a great deal. and if there is anyone out there who is as stupid as me and thinks that just because you work closely with doctors in a close setting that they wouldn't mind for you to sign their name, take it from me, dont do it!!!! thanks again!!! nicole :banghead:

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Specializes in all areas.

Welcome, to the , ipn jail, no just kiding, i was reading your post and you are right where i am , exept i aleady had to do 12 weeks of iop. i have to go to 3 na meetings a wk and pay mayjor fine.Also ipn is the goverment for 5 years , yes 5 years, they have to know when why were, it hoorible.First let me tell you 3 years ago i accidently walked out of a temp job with a sealed fentny; patch in my pocet and when i realized it was there i freaked out and called my agency , boss, i told her i was afraid to bring it back because the facility was so mean they mat all the police thinking i stole it,She told me to bring the patch to her office and she would call them, that she did, i then did a drug screan that was negitive , then she brought the patch back and explained it was inocent mistake.She then told me she was not sending her nurses there anymore due to the prob shw has had with missing narcotics.the next day the facility called her and stated some card was missing and wanted to blame me , i was angry, because why would they wait 72 hrsbefore they thought something was missing, i was over it so . i quit agency and went on staff for the next to years, before i got the letter from the bon, my nl was susspended.12-08, that facility lied so bad,i then was asked to go to ipn eval i thaought fine, i was not working and recovering from a broken shoulder. i also had prescriptions i was taking nothing that i would be concidered unsafe to practice , i been doing nursing for 9 years and have many letters of recomendation.no the ipn saw me for:banghead: 5 min and in that 5 min turned my life upside down.Ipn is good for nurses who need extencive treatment , but ones who never just got a slap on the back then to go there own way. We will be the ones who are labled and the public is loosing out on good hard working nurses.Ipn makes it so hard alot of nurses end up giving up or cant stand having be treated like a criminal being moniterd.Good luck.wish you well and i am to in it for the long 5 years.

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Specializes in all areas.

if you ever need support to help get you through this please post a reply, im sure we both have long storys

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You will be expected to have an evaluation with a certified addictionologist. The cost is around 400-500.00 dollars. The doctors are very good in detecting deception in regards to use of alcohol and drugs. If a problem exists they will discover it. You will have psychological computerized testing. The questions asked vary from sensible to absurd and number about 500 or greater.You will have to take a urine and hair test to detect the presence of drugs and or alcohol.They will make a report and send IPN their findings. IPN will then proceed based on the report. They may find you don't require monitoring but that is unlikely. They may find that you require 2years of monitoring or they may find that you require 5 years of monitoring.They can take your narcotic privileges for 1 years or they may not.They can send you to outpatient therapy or inpatient based on what your evaluator found. They may not require any therapy at all.They can tell you that you are not allowed to work in an ICU/ER.No multiple jobs, PRN or agency assignments.No overtime and no floating to different floors without permission of your IPN case worker.You are to call mon-fri a number they provide for your color which you will be assigned.When your color comes up you are to go to your nearest Lab Corp and give a urine specimen. You will have to attend a nurse support group once a week and attend 3 meetings a week of NA/AA. It sounds overwhelming but it really isn't. Once you accept the reality of the situation, it is very manageable.It becomes routine and they really don't mess with you too much if you are doing what you are supposed to.You will just have to do your time and it will all be over someday:)

ALL THINGS COME TO AN END

Good Luck and hang in there

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Specializes in Vent dependent peds, HH, Facility manage.

Sorry to hear that Nicole. It's usually alot safer to go with a T.O. if you need the dr sign. Let us know what happens Fri.

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I also was referred to IPN. I am a little confused though. I stated on my application to take my boards that I had a DUI in 2005 and because of this I was required to go to the FL BON meeting where they told me that my application was approved subject to an IPN evaluation. I went to the "designated" psychiatrist and had a clean drug test for alcohol/drugs and he stated that I am not a risk. However three days later i got a packet from IPN stating i need to sign for 2 years. I have no narcotic restrictions, am approved to work, must go to support group once a week, AA once a week, no aftercare or rehab though. I haven't even sat for boards yet. I am wondering to even go through with this because after reading these posts I don't know if I would be hired in FL. I live in the MIami area if anyone has any suggestions or insight to help me decide.

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Specializes in OR, ER, Oncology, CPC.

Metnaj23 has stated exactly what to expect, right on the money. Good luck and it does get easier as time goes by. You have to work the program and remain compliant and time will fly. The board does not usually make the distinction between one time or 20 times, they see it as all the same. At your eval, the addictionologist will tell the IPN what he/she recommends and that is how the IPN will draw up your contract. Peer assistance saved my life. I will always carry the "stigma" with me bc of my adverse license but i have a great job and my sobriety. I have completed my three year contract last month and still show up at my nurse support groups. Good luck to you

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Specializes in OR, ER, Oncology, CPC.

I forgot to ask something I am not clear on. Was the RX for a patient?

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If the letters "IPN" come into your world. You are going to get a contract no matter what. It doesn't matter if your guilty or not. Your Evaluator can say there is no issue or problem and no contract is need.. But IPN will give you one anyways. Once you sign on the dotted line you are now a Dancing IPN Monkey.

Don't get me wrong. IPN is a great program. But...... Before they go throwing out contract's they really should do a bit of investigating.

I have been battling them along with the BON now for 2.5 years over having my medical records stolen, being falsely accused, and forged patient documentation. Yes, You read the above correct. So far everything is on my side, but the BON and IPN does not care. Once they have your name you are SOL.

My words is to get a Lawyer before you do anything.

SP

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