Help self reported to pap in wi and don't want to sign contract

Nurses Recovery

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I took a random drug test at work which came back positive for opiates that I was prescribed as well as sleeping pills and benzos that I was not prescribed which I had been given to by family. I was proactive and completed an intensive outpatient program and have continued with my therapists and psychiatrists. Plus I voluntarily got off all the opiates I was prescribed for a chronic pain condition. My work suggested that I self report to the professional assistance procedure which is a non disciplinary program. I reported myself and received a contract for 3 years. The contract requires a min of 48 drug tests a year, no alcohol, and I can't leave the country. My work, therapist, and psychiatrist believe this is too severe. I don't want to sign the contract. Does anyone know what happens if I don't? Should I get a lawyer? Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

I'd sign it- the job market for an RN in another field is tough- the hourly rate is much lower and a lot of the skills we have don't seem to translate. I am almost at the end of 2 years out of 4- the first year went slow- this one has gone by much faster. I have been able to travel with the "exemption policy" which allows time away from testing once you have 9 months of testing.

For the attorney part I hired one... he didn't help at all, and put my license in jeopardy. Plus I got to pay him about 2000 dollars when I did not have an income.

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The attorney I have spoken to is board certified in administrative law. She is also an RN and the focus of her practice is nursing license defense. You could probably just google " nursing license defense " and find someone. Any nurse that finds themselves in such a situation should be aware that the BON is NOT your friend. The purpose of the BON is to protect the public. In the state of Texas on the BON website it is possible to read about disciplinary action taken by the BON against nursing licenses. It is very scary reading as frequently when a nurse has been charged with something such as a DWI they will refer to the nurse as being " on call or on duty" when they are actually not on call and in fact may be on vacation and thousands of miles away from their place of employment at the time. I do not know in what state you reside but I suggest you check on your state's BON website for the details of disciplinary action taken against nurses in situations similar to your own. Good luck to you.

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.

Regarding the trips - I know in Louisiana if we went on vacation we called our case worker - if there wasn't an approved center close we were able to give a specimen the day we left and again as soon as we got back. Not sure if it would help at all.

Anne, RNC

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I see that someone else answered my question about PAP. My concern for nurses in general when other say "get an attorney" is does anyone understand how expensive attorneys are? They charge by the hour. That being said how does one find an attorney who is competent in nursing specific matters without losing a large amount of money? Any information from the members would be appreciated.

Getting an attorney is expensive. NOT getting an attorney can be even more expensive.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I see that someone else answered my question about PAP. My concern for nurses in general when other say "get an attorney" is does anyone understand how expensive attorneys are? They charge by the hour. That being said how does one find an attorney who is competent in nursing specific matters without losing a large amount of money? Any information from the members would be appreciated.
The American Association of Nurse Attorneys (TAANA).
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What has an attorney ever really done- the BON has its own administrative law- they write the rules and they have the final say. If you are at all "guilty" the attorney cannot use civilian defense techniques-

My BON at least took hiring an attorney as a hostile move... The best advice I got was from a second opinion when it was clear the first attorney was mucking things up: they make the rules.... jump through the hoops... be humble

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I like the be humble advice:). It was helpful for me to at least speak to a lawyer- she gave me very worthy advice. I will not be bringing a lawyer with me to the board- however the advice was gold. I was terrified and had I not spoken with an attorney before speaking with the investigator I would have surrendered my lisence- that was what the board wanted me to do. Her advice was its better to have a suspended lisence than they to get one back after you have surrendered. I do think lawyers are helpful- particularly if the punishment does not fit the crime. In my case the punishment does fit and is paramount to my recovery.

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Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.

My BON also sees it as a hostile move and things do not turn out so well if an attorney is retained. For me, surrendering my license was the way to go. Five years later, my contract has been completed and there is no evidence I was ever disciplined. Had I not surrendered, I would have entered into a probation contract, which carries a bright red "YES" whenever someone would check my license for verification. With the surrendering and subsequent monitoring contract, mine now says "NO".

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Is it okay that I am kind of jealous that y'all have these great programs?! Poor poor me haha

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It is ok... these programs should be the standard for people who have an illness. As someone who was "well" prior to being introduced to opiates I am dismayed at how we treat all addicts in society. My BON has since moved to the probation model (branded license and 2 years) as it is less cost...

I consider myself very very lucky to have been able to get into the program I did (even though it is 4 years compared to 2)

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Get. An. Attorney. After I received my 3 year contract, I balled my eyes out. I thought getting a lawyer was too late and I was done for. However, I scraped up the money to get one and I was able to have my monitoring shortened and permanent restrictions lifted with different stipulations. It's not too late. Get a lawyer and try to get a contract that you feel is doable. Good luck to ya!

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In my state we get the branded license, 5 years probation, and the cost (ie treatment, psychotherapy appointments, monitoring, drug testing, fines and yearly fees to the board, ect etc etc). Most nurses I see going through my states program fail (relapse, drop out due to cost) I've only seen a few make it through, but even so have difficulties getting hired throughout their careers. It's a rough road we travel to be sure.

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