TPAPN and terrified!

mom35 · Mar 11, 2018

Also, what about cigarettes? Are they to be avoided?

Eris Discordia BSN, RN · Mar 11, 2018

Also, what about cigarettes? Are they to be avoided?

Not in TPAPN, but in another state. I've never heard of cigarettes being banned. I am free to smoke in my state.

Unless you are really connected with your shrink, I second finding a new one. Unless she has special knowledge of the program, she should have kept her mouth zipped with that comment. It's not true and its massively anxiety inducing.

Just to give you a morale boost, I found a job in psych within a week of applying. I got job offers after my only two interviews; one couldn't accommodate the key restriction, the other one had no problem with it. I had to work a specific unit until my key restriction dropped, and now I'm free to transfer to anynunit in the psych hospital...I can even transfer to medical if I want, but my director was so good to me, I'm staying in psych and transferring to another one of her units.

The first interview, I disclosed monitoring in the interview. I explained the restriction, and still got an offer. However, she didn't realize stimulants were under key restriction ::smacks forehead:: so I couldn't on board after I re-explained that to her.

My second interview, I just told HR on the phone about monitoring. Turns out the facility liked to hire monitored nurses, and she plugged me into an interview with the specific unit they took monitoring folks into. My info isn't public, but I told my now-director the Cliff's notes of my story...and I was working out my tentative starting schedule by the end of the interview.

My hospital is awesome, pays on average with the area, has good benefits, is reasonably well-staffed with low turn over, supportive management, and works to keep nurses happy.

It's my first time as a psych nurse and they gave me an excellent, flexible orientation and while I never would have chosen psych outiside of monitoring, I plan on staying here until my 5 years are up.

You may have to dig, interview a ton, and be willing to drive further for a job than you ordinarily would. I was very picky about where I applied in that I only choose jobs that I felt would be key restriction friendly. If you can find employment in something long enough to drop your key restriction and not burn bridges when you transfer out, you will find many other doors are open without that restriction.

You can do this!

Kel65, MSN, RN · Mar 12, 2018

I smoke cigars and suck on nicotine lozenges,no problems. Will not try vaping, some of the solutions contain alcohol, not going to chance it.

SpankedInPittsburgh, DNP, RN · Mar 12, 2018

I vape & so far so good. There is a state out there that added cigarette smoking to the list of stuff they test for. What complete BS. Whats next a ban of sugary snacks. That's overreaching control freak nonsense

unreal RN, ASN, RN · Mar 12, 2018

There is a state out there that added cigarette smoking to the list of stuff they test for. What complete BS.

I'm not a smoker, but what state requires this? That is total BS. Are those nurses only supposed to attend non-smoking AA meetings? I never attended an AA meeting where I didn't have to pass through a group of smokers just to get inside the building. Total nonsense and overreach.

Columnist · Mar 12, 2018

You will find a job. I applied for numerous positions, but interviewed only for the job I am currently working. Once I signed my monitoring contract, it took me 2-3 weeks for a call back and interview. Good luck.

catsmeow1972, BSN, RN · Mar 12, 2018

While stuck in that trashy pseudo-rehab ****hole, I was accused of "isolating" because I kept going off and sitting far away, by myself. Ummmm, no....I wanted away from the stanky, yellow, cigarette cloud that was anywhere there were other people, because THAT was an acceptable addiction, I guess. Every. Single. Other. person smoked. I preferred breathing. Sorry, not sorry.

smittenrn · Mar 14, 2018

I am probably in the minority, but I didn't speak of my program until I had the job offer. I got hired for the first and only job for which I interviewed. I felt like I have always been able to really sell myself; I had never been denied a job in my life, so I knew I had to give the best interview I could without lying. Thankfully, no questions were asked that had to be answered in a lie. Once I received the offer, I spoke with my boss about the program, basically selling myself further as an employee who would never be late, who would be committed to the job, who would never show up to work with a hangover, etc.

He did ask why I didn't bring it up in the (panel) interview, and I just told him the truth: that I was ashamed by my actions and quite honestly couldn't get the words out of my mouth. I asked if it would have changed the offer, and he told me it may have, so I stand by my decision.

I've now been in this job since and I love it. I got a 3.50 an hour pay raise from the job from which I was fired. So, it's all silver lining really.

Most people recommended to me discussing the program in an interview. It didn't feel right for me. I wanted them FIRST to know what a great nurse I am, and that the program doesn't anywhere near define me as a nurse. It's a small part of my story and I like to keep it that way. I'm a great nurse first, and a monitored nurse second.

catsmeow1972, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2018

I am probably in the minority, but I didn't speak of my program until I had the job offer. I got hired for the first and only job for which I interviewed. I felt like I have always been able to really sell myself; I had never been denied a job in my life, so I knew I had to give the best interview I could without lying. Thankfully, no questions were asked that had to be answered in a lie. Once I received the offer, I spoke with my boss about the program, basically selling myself further as an employee who would never be late, who would be committed to the job, who would never show up to work with a hangover, etc.
He did ask why I didn't bring it up in the (panel) interview, and I just told him the truth: that I was ashamed by my actions and quite honestly couldn't get the words out of my mouth. I asked if it would have changed the offer, and he told me it may have, so I stand by my decision.
I've now been in this job since and I love it. I got a 3.50 an hour pay raise from the job from which I was fired. So, it's all silver lining really.
Most people recommended to me discussing the program in an interview. It didn't feel right for me. I wanted them FIRST to know what a great nurse I am, and that the program doesn't anywhere near define me as a nurse. It's a small part of my story and I like to keep it that way. I'm a great nurse first, and a monitored nurse second.

This is how it should work and you are correct in that these awful programs don't define us as nurses. Unfortunately too many people are not willing to listen before making the knee jerk decision to not give us the chance to prove that.

Teg42171 · Mar 16, 2018

Sorry to hear that. I graduated Aug, 2016 and disclosed to the board of a pill addiction I had in 2012. I was in TPAPN for 2 yrs and never found a job. I was told today by my case manager that I don't meet requirements for their program. This program is expensive and a headache, now I have to wait and hear from the board, I've already accepted the fact that they are going to take my liscence away. Good luck to you!

catsmeow1972, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2018

How can you have done their **** for two years and NOW they decide you don't meet requirements for thier program. This is after you've spent an unholy amount of money peeing for them, etc. What the???

SpankedInPittsburgh, DNP, RN · Mar 16, 2018

I really don't understand this at all? You were in the monitoring program for two years and complied? How can they possibly say that you don't qualify for inclusion in the program. I seem to remember a doctrine in business called reasonable reliance. In other words if both sides act like there is agreement on a contract for a period of time then there is in fact a contract!!! Consult an attorney because I'm a humble ER Nurse but this sounds wrong on a very basic level