Finally recieved received more communication

Nurses Recovery

Published

I am beyond frustrated at this system. I finally received a phone call from Ms. Monitoring the end of March. I told her I was willing to do an evaluation and participate in the monitoring program. Whatever it takes to have a clean license. She said she was waiting on her superior to return to work the following week and I would hear back from her. Over a month has passed and I haven't been pushing phone calls as I was afraid I'd find myself in a 4 day eval during my graduation this week. Today I finally receive a phone call from the disciplinary side saying they have received my case because I have refused evaluation. I'm livid. I told him about said communication with the monitoring side of things. He is supposed to call me back. I am about ready to just take the mark on my brand new license and move on with my life. But, I think if I were to do that I would still find myself in a program that takes my money for 5 years??

Thanks Spanked

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Was called by diciplinary guy during my pinning ceremony. Was told i was refused from the voluntary program. Was told i could call her superior and plead to be allowed in it. I did. I was presented with options. 2 of which were communicating with disciplinary people and being presented with "offers". 1 was to go to a hearing where I may end up in better or worse shape. If they allowed me to do voluntary program, I would have to complete a CE and follow whatever recommendations were made and was told that it was higher than 50 percent chance that treatment would be suggested because i never recieved tx (although 3 yr sober) and that because i could not afford said tx it would be a set up for failure so they did not feel I qualified. I didn't understand alot. And it was made clear that if i did go for a hearing before any of these routes to see what they might offer, that the voluntary program would def be off the table again. But one of the things i did get was that a comprehensive evaluation would be required no matter the routes i took, at which id have to follow recommendations that potentionally puts me at having to do tx. So i pushed for the alternative monitoring route. Ms. Monitoring said that I was given 14 days to schedule an evaluation. I very nicely told her I was not told that, and had been told to await her call. I stood my ground, and she did hers as well. Unfortunate how that lie has created so much distress. She said i have until Monday to get scheduled for CE and it has to be done before end of month. I'm nervous about them getting me in at such short notice. Its the least of my worries though. I dont know if i have chosen the best route. I just know I'd rather take my chances getting presented with treatment I cant afford, and being told that having taken the voluntary side of things. And, hypothetically if they didn't recommend tx after all this is said and done I could go back to school. 5 year contract was definantly stated, so my hope of getting something lesser has gone out the window. I've worked too hard to bend over and take it and go disciplinary route and possibly end up in the same situation. I cried for a couple hours. No shame lol. Board lawyer says if i can't meet recommendations then she'll be having to file (something? I forget) against me. And that she doesn't want to do that. Now That im thinking it may have been forfieting licensure or something. Board lawyer suggested me getting a lawyer, Ms. Monitoring told her she shouldn't be giving me legal advice that she works for the board. PS: if I lawyered up i would have no money for CE. Don't know if any of this makes any sense, i had a hard time explaining it to my mother and i dont understand myself. Please someone tell me what the H is happening?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hopefully someone will chime in and correct me if I'm wrong...

First, I'm sorry this ruined your pinning ceremony.

If I understand what you have said you are now what's called, 'board referred.' I'm in Florida and what that means for us is there are conditions put on our license, until all 'conditions' are met our licenses are encumbered or not 'free and clear.' So, if we want to get and keep our licenses we are compelled to comply with IPN ( Florida's monitoring program ). When we go for the evaluation the evaluator takes a history and orders lab tests. If they are satisfied with our presentation of what we are doing to support continuing sobriety and urine, blood, hair/nails come back negative, treatment may not be ordered. At least that was the case for me. However, I had been to so many treatment centers prior to finally getting sober, what the hell else were they going to teach me?

So, I had many an evaluation with treatment ordered. I wasn't ready to get sober back then. But, because I had a license that involved the public, I had to go away to treatment.

You have never had treatment. You have a program that's working for you, but if something were to ever happen where you relapsed and a patient was harmed, the powers that be will probably want to be able to say they sent you to treatment.

The expense of an attorney may seem astronomical. But the time to get one is NOW, before you sign or agree to anything. They may be able to get it all thrown out. Especially with you having already been 3 years sober. It will take time, but it will be worth it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Sorry, I just went back and re-read your posts and saw where you had actually already spoke to an attorney. Was it an attorney specializing in nursing/board issues? You can go onto the Chapman website and put a question in and someone will call you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The attorney I spoke to was a board lawyer. The trouble with getting an attorney is that I would probably still find myself needing an evaluation, and I would then not have the money for that. My family is in no shape to help me with this. So, I just didn't know what to do except to plead to be allowed to participate in the voluntary program. Perse, based on what you are saying this may not simply be scare tactics? If an evaluator deems I am in fact sober and have turned my life around and do things that works for me- the Board would still likely suggest treatment? I'm exasperated. A nurse I know has suggested I call...a neighboring more lenient board and be straight with them about what's going on and see if they would put me through the same hoops. Having been lurking this board for almost 6 months though, I think I would be recieved the same way.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Sorry, I just went back and re-read your posts and saw where you had actually already spoke to an attorney. Was it an attorney specializing in nursing/board issues? You can go onto the Chapman website and put a question in and someone will call you.

And I did speak to a lawyer specializing in dealing with the BON, and she said there was probably nothing she could do to help me. An attorney nearer my hometown had said it would be 5 grand if my case went to a hearing. And it's looking like that would be the case. And I would then not have any money for an evaluation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If I were you I would get a credit card and hire a lawyer! It may just be the best decision you ever made!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
The attorney I spoke to was a board lawyer. The trouble with getting an attorney is that I would probably still find myself needing an evaluation, and I would then not have the money for that. My family is in no shape to help me with this. So, I just didn't know what to do except to plead to be allowed to participate in the voluntary program. Perse, based on what you are saying this may not simply be scare tactics? If an evaluator deems I am in fact sober and have turned my life around and do things that works for me- the Board would still likely suggest treatment? I'm exasperated. A nurse I know has suggested I call...a neighboring more lenient board and be straight with them about what's going on and see if they would put me through the same hoops. Having been lurking this board for almost 6 months though, I think I would be recieved the same way.

I have seen it go every way. Unfortunately the majority of my experience with myself and others was after extended periods of drug/alcohol addiction. Those people get referred to treatment. I don't know many people out there who were as slow a learner as I was. I simply was not going to get sober until I was ready, no matter how many treatment centers I was sent to. The very last time I went before the board and an evaluation was ordered, I didn't get sent to treatment. I was about 20 months sober and all my tests were negative, so they believed me.

I wish there was a way to predict what will happen, but there just isn't. You can start investigating scholarships. And ask the doctor about scholarship beds, if he should force you to go. Many treatment centers have scholarship beds.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR.

It seems to boil down to (and this is my opinion...) program? Fine. stupid and unnecessary but you'll do it just to get on with your life. Treatment ...dumb, unnecessary and nothing but a money grab. This crap about whether it's voluntary or disciplinary, evaluation forced or whatever...sorry nothing but someone or several someones not having done thier job and trying to cover thier butt. How the heck did a board attorney get involved in this anyway. Where did you do anything wrong? It seems that these jerks are going to force it anyway if to get your license. Were I in your position, I would at least try to ensure that it does not show public ally on your license...that way, when it's all said and done....it's done. As far as bridge programs...any restrictions they might dump on you might be negotiable due to school (not like student are ever unsupervised anyway).....it's all an unfair bunch of horse crap but I'm afraid we are a disposable lot...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
Let me tell you... If they had no prior personal experience with OCD before, they knew all about it by the time I got done. I was cc people in emails that weren't even there anymore. I got random names from the FBON on the internet and wrote them. Finally, a lady dropped a name just to shut me up. I got right in that hospital.

You can do this... Don't let up on them, spread your particular brand of sunshine all over them.

AMEN and good job. If I were in your shoes, I am not sure how I would not lose my ever-loving **** daily.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you don't mind me asking- were the circumstances similar for your evaluation and not having got ordered for treatment? I know my drug tests will all come back clean and I have indeed been sober since 2015. But, I'm afraid it's not going to be enough for them. I kept hearing never had treatment so likely will have to recieve it. It's mind boggling because every case is different and we have all obtained sobriety in different ways that worked for us. Working 12 steps, religiously attending AA, rehab... isn't how we all got there and I dont feel like in order to be considered "recovered" or in recovery all of those steps should have been taken. It was the same for me. Personally speaking, I detoxed and went to AA for a short while. No treatment because one money but number two I think I knew I wasn't READY. As foolish as that is. I actually got talked into going into detox while drinking with a family member at a bar after work. I knew I wasn't ready to let it all go (which is insane to say today). Two months out i was right back at it. It wasn't until 2 yrs later of my life detiorating, and getting in a really bad way mentally and physically that I finally started seeing myself and the mess I was. That i was literally going to die if i didn't change (I'm not being dramatic or exagerating. I was waking to alcohol and blacking out from it at night every single day) that I was finally able to make those changes for myself. How we all maintain sobriety is different for every individual. Just because i dont go to meetings through the week doesn't mean I'm not maintaining my sobriety or actually living it. But I'll tell you I still know the meeting times and places for the youngtimers group, and another near home. And I the groups and times are also a pdf on my Google drive. I know if there was a chance in hell that I was tempted where i would go. It hasnt been necessary. Im goal oriented, limit distractions, spend alot of time with my family who has been a great support system. I recently took my daughter to see a band and a family friendly event in the arts district. It was near the end of the night that It hit me looking around, that most people were drinking. And it never phased me and i realized how far i had came. That I was fine with my coffee and dinner, and playing with my daughter. Years ago, I wouldn't even know how to attend something like that without "altered state of mind" on the top of the agenda for the night and ultimately making a fool out of myself. And it felt amazing, that moment realizing that it isnt even a thought in my mind that i should have or want a drink. Zero desire, after all these yearsI had really done it. Sorry for another novel and sharing. These are things that I dont generally talk about and am being faced with having to.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The big thing with treatment is it covers THEIR butt. I had been to treatment several times by the time I finally came back to them clean/sober. And although they didn't recommend treatment, I still got a 5 year monitoring contract. You have never been to treatment, that is what increases the odds that it will be recommended. You're butt has been covered by your recovery program, but their's hasn't.

Be ready to give them your sponsor's name, your meeting schedule and know the steps. They may ask you. If you know your stuff and have clean samples, those all go to your good.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment