Pending TPAPN Nurse

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Ugh it looks like I will have to do TPAPN due to a history of addiction. I understand the rationale behind it though-we as nurses have a great deal of responsibility in our work and need to extra precaution...that being said, I'm just having major anxiety. Any idea who I should hope for as a case manager? Or the best mindset to go into TPAPN?

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Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Open Heart OR Recovery, Etc.

I'm not in TX, but my experience and observation have shown that those entering these programs should be astute, open minded, and unafraid to do what needs to be done. We also have to be able to advocate for ourselves, question when something doesn't look right or we don't understand, and knowledgeable about what the expectations are. We have to be able to follow instructions and be honest and willing to take things one day at a time. We have to be able to keep our eye on the ball, which is successfully completing our contracts, and work through the frustrations and tedium which occasionally will crop up.

Most importantly, we have to remember that we are addicts/alcoholics IN RECOVERY, and have been given a second chance at life. Even through the pain we can move forward and life can be different.

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Exactly what SororAKS said. I have been enrolled for about a month. My case manager is real nice. Her name is Mrs. Hernandez. Just hang in there. If you need to talk we are all here. So far i have had to do TWO UA's this month. Once 10/4 and the other 10/20. RecoveryTrek charges you $55 a pop. It will be okay. Hang in there!

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Imo any of the casemanagers at TPAPN are good. I have dealt with most of them over the years and they each helped me with what my needs were.

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Are you currently a participant? (if you don't mind me asking)

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The best attitude is keep copies of everything thing, do all paperwork early or on time , I didn't know is not ever going to be the right answer. That being said keep your head down and do the work and you will survive ,if your in the right say so but you will say many times This Is Soooo Unfair but guess what life is not fair. If you use the online forms on Recovery Trek that will be your paper trail I even sent messages about any phone calls confirming content of conversation through there so they could be referenced at a click of a mouse I am old school and this did not come second nature to me but it saved my butt more than once.You can sent messages 24-7 instead of playing phone tag and it time stamps it to support you in I contacted program as soon as I could this comes in handy if you have say a medical emergency or job offer/issues ,no I waited till Monday or after holiday to contact anyone, also if one CM says one thing and another says something else it will come down to did you get that in writing because we all know if it's not charted it did not happen.You have no say in who is your case manager just like you had no choice who was you teacher in nursing school work with what you got they are not lifelong friends their purpose is to see you follow the rules , keep you on course and yes fearful enough to keep on track until it becomes like breathing. They are not going to help you find a job either just approve or not approve a job you fined,your Advocate might have some pearls of wisdom about jobs maybe not

Good Luck and if you fall down get back up

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I am a current participant! :)

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I've got Hernandez too, she's great so far. TPAPN, don't give them a hard time, do your paperwork, work you program, lay low. There is TPAPN support group in Dallas in Tuesday nights at 7pm next to Green Oaks. Off to my after holiday durg test I am. Be on time with everything, if not early

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And be advised, it may not be the notorious egt, but all quest options test for alcohol. Do not let the cost fool you. Investing in recovery completely and honestly is the only road, and it is long and full of road blocks but also rainbows.

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Wow. Some of you guys are in programs that tests only twice a month?! Mine tests between 4-6 times a month.

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I tested once in November and just did my 4th of December today. It can range between that, if you have narcotic access it will be on the high end, frequency can also change for cause.

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