TNPAP

Nurses Recovery

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How long does it take to be evaluated at TNPAP before you can start working? I was recently terminated from my job for smelling like alcohol. I was drinking the night before til 12 midnight with my father and then went to bed. Next morning I arrive at work at 900 am. One of my co workers said she smelled alcohol on my breath and reported me to my supervisor. Next they took me to HR for a BAC test which was .041. This was slightly above there limit according to there policy. My supervisor to me to enroll in TNPAP to preserve my license. I'm not even a drinker. Any questions on this would be helpful.

You mention that the drinking was due to "life stress". I wouldn't mention that AT ALL to anyone!! Did you already say that to your supervisor? They will be all over that, as obviously it's an example of you being unable to handle stress properly and using alcohol as a crutch. They'll try to get you into some type of treatment.

You say "what's the big deal" since you don't have a problem. The big deal is that you are looking at an assessment for several hundred dollars (I don't see how your supervisor can claim it will be free), then the assessor will decide you turn to substances (alcohol) to deal with stress, so you need some type of treatment. This will cost you, or your insurance if you have coverage, and you won't be allowed to work so you'll be out an income. That can go on for months before you are cleared to work. Also you'll have to start attending AA meetings, and submit to random drug tests, which will end up costing thousands of dollars. You will be labeled an addict or alcoholic, since you are enrolled in the monitoring program. No one will care why you're in the program, just that you are. You will have a TERRIBLE time finding a new job due to being in the program. You'll have stipulations which makes it even harder to find a job (no administering or even counting narcotics, no overtime, no floating, no night shift). You'll do this for 3 years or 5 years, every single day you'll wake up with your heart pounding because you're afraid that you've forgotten to call in to see if you've been selected to test, and you're afraid now it's too late (even though you have until 2pm every day to check in, every single day you'll have a moment of fear: did I check in today??). It's hell.

If you can, say that night of drinking was spending time with your dad.. You didn't realize how late it was, he kept ordering you a new drink, you didn't realize how strong they were making the drinks etc. Just don't admit to drinking due to stress.

Good luck.

1 Votes

I suggest you don't use your real name on this forum

I suggest you ask the moderator to remove or change your name or remove this thread. This is not something you want public.

I'm a TNPAP participant. What I'm going to tell you will save you a lot of stress, time, and money. Don't do the evaluation. Go ahead and admit yourself inpatient to an approved rehab facility. An evaluator is going to cost you $400-900. It will slow your progress getting in to treatment. The sooner you complete treatment the sooner you can get back to work.

Specializes in OR.

I would also consider this. If this was truly a one time thing then be ready to defend your self strongly. If you are a drinker on a regular basis and do use it to handle stress then that is another story altogether.

I would still lawyer up. The standard corridor into these assistance programs will net you nothing but the expenditure of a lot of money for "treatment" you may or may not need, a lot of forced attendance of 12 step stuff weather or not it helps you and a contract with stipulations that will make it near impossible to get a job. An attorney can at least help you get an objective evaluation that will more accurately recommend what you may need instead of basing it off how good your insurance is or the contents of your bank account. I am not being melodramatic. As i said before, these programs do not give one whit about you as a person and your recovery. it is about money, power and control.

1 Votes

Cats summed it up. I couldn't have said it better myself. I voluntarily reported and thought that these agencies were here to help. They are not. Any involvement with them is horrible. I wish I would have fought but I honestly thought other nurses would understand and standup for their colleagues with a problem. Instead I've been placed in a horrid situation. I really do wish you luck but don't have any illusions these programs will help you. Even if you do have a substance abuse problem these programs demand money from you while simultaneously killing your earning capacity. I'm sorry I don't think bankruptcy and career devastation is a good way to treat substance abuse or mental health issues

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