Probation violation with PEth test

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Hi anyone had a probation violation...I am on probation for 3 years for a DUI before I even came a nurse . 6 years ago. Jus got my license and started probation 3 months in. I drank at a get together and got tested the next day for PETH..alcohol. My probation monitor got back to me with a letter intent to cease practice wanted me to write her a letter explaining. Which I did. But I heard from others there going to cease and send it to th AG. Anyone know what happens than... Do U think thy will cease practice and take me to trail...Or extend my probation...

I'm going to my nurse support group tonight (yuck). Anyway, we have a Nurse who successfully completed a monitoring in another state & Pennsylvania made her start all over here. Before you move it's worth a phone call to the BON and their monitoring programs folks to see what they will expect from you.

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They'll automatically forward it to the AG office. I'd also let your monitor know that you're currently working as an LVN just to be on the safe side. Technically they're not supposed to regulate anything outside of RN licensure but the last thing you need is them telling your employer before you do.

And yes it's a ridiculously long and depressing process and all so that you end up with a year or two added to your contract as a best case scenario. Personally, had I known how unforgiving the BON is I would've just gone for my LVN license and stayed there as I know multiple LVNs with DUIs who never had a mark on their license. Don't get me wrong, I don't ever plan on drinking and driving again but sometimes a mistake is just that...a mistake

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Yeah my monitor told my employer already. That thy are ceasing my RN license. Funny thing is I work there as a LVN. And I was gonna switch to lvn to RN there. But I feel that was wrong telling my work since I am only a lvn there. I don't have anything on my lvn license which was weird to me Bc year after I got my RN and than all this other probation for my RN license. Yes the wait is going to be painful. Not even a alcoholic, jus had a prior dui which was dumb. Who hasn't drove drunk? Its really dumb to drive drunk but a general statement. I guess I will jus wait. Thanks

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Well, I talked to my probation monitor and yup she said they cease your practice automatically. If you violate probation. There's nothing u can do. And thy forward it to the AG as well automatically. And she said it could take up to a year. (This sucks so bad) the wait is gonna drive me nuts. Supposed to be starting a family this month. Gonna put me back a few. Nothing I can do I guess.

Well that's a wrap. Thanks for everyone's responses and help. I'll write in a year to tell you how many years I get extended or whatever happens.

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I am sorry, however I have to say that is beyond ridiculous!!!

No wonder why we have had a shortage of nurses!

I am really sorry that you have to go through that!

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I am from CA and Got a dui in 2014. Obtained my BSN out of state in 2017. Started that states 3 year monitoring program before doing any research. Random monthly Urine screens, living sober (I am ok with this, but not ok with having rules placed on me outside of nursing and the law) AA meetings, job restrictions, quarterly reports, monthly counseling, and the daily fear of losing my license for one slip up. The system is a one size fits all and is pathetic and basically a scam to fill the pockets of board members. Mine is about $200 a month after tests, therapy, nurse groups, monitoring fee's etc but I only get tested once a month, I've heard other nurses get tested much more so my costs are on the low end.

Everything said in this thread is true, a one time mistake will lead to the board labeling you an addict. The few nurses that divert on the job that make monitoring necessary but not for people like us that make a mistake before we even become nurses. The board doesn't give a flying fvuck! They're lazy and also make mistakes but have nobody checking their accountability.

I will apply for my CA RN after my 3 year's of monitoring but only WITH an attorney!!!!! the CA monitoring sounds 3x expensive as my states. You will do so much personal reflection in this process including directing a lot of anger towards the board. But fight on and educate yourself. I'm stuck in a different state for now

Keep us posted

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Yeah it does suck! I pay 20 for monthly meetings, so 100 for the nursing support group. Than the random testing. 25 for the urine plus the 63 the testing site charge. Thy check least once a week for me. For a past dui before I even became a nurse. So that is around 400. Plus the nurse support, comes out around 500. Easily. But now violating probation thy have been checking like 2-3 Times a week for the random testing! It's like there setting u up to fail!!! Makes u want to give up, but I won't. Just sucks so bad. I don't think even doctors have it this bad. Smh...

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After the first month after your violation as long as you don't have any more dirty tests it'll go back down to 3-4 a month. But they'll PeTH test you more frequently so make sure you don't drink anymore. Like I said, after 8 months of no news I couldn't handle it any more, I found a job outside nursing and turned mine in but I support you fighting. We need more success stories

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Oh that's good to know! Thanks! I wish thy would jus do the PETH test twice a month or something , that would come out cheaper. And since it's more accurate anyways...yeah well RN pays way more. I work for sutter as a LVN, and being a RN there pays like almost triple. Since I have a guaranteed job might as well keep fighting.

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I totally agree!!!! If the only thing they are worried about is our sobriety can't they just PETH or Hair test us in the measurable limits of detection. Dump all the other BS and just make sure we are clean. If we can't stay clean on our own then look at other options but forcing everyone into a cookie cutter program that spills big bucks all over the rehab industry and mandatory attendance at a voluntary 12 step program is wrong

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These programs also seem awfully long. Some of my fellow nurses are subject to these intrusive programs for five years. Thankfully mine is "only" three but it be more like four. In my case the clock didn't start ticking on my three years until the monitoring folks got around to signing my paperwork after they sent me to inpatient then outpatient rehab, making me do 90 in 90, nurse support group meetings, DAUs.... I know that people with long periods of recovery have lower relapse rates. Is coerced compliance considered recovery? I sure don't consider myself in recovery. I do what I have to in order to keep being able to make a living. In the end (2+ years away) it will be up to me weather I drink or not. Will a couple extra years of this circus make a difference? I don't think so

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Specializes in OR.

I certainly agree that coerced compliance does not equal recovery. If it did than 5 years of this coercion will put me in recovery from my bipolar right? I will have been forced to engage in this pathetic farce for so long that I will be cured, right? I am pretty sure that it doesn't work that way.

Like you, I will finish this crap out of pure spite. I have been fed the BS line about "letting go of resentments" (and the first person than even thinks of the song from frozen can also think of me punching them in the face. //grin//) I am not resentful of the 12 step whatever stuff. I am disgusted. Regardless of my personal opinions of the whatever- anonymous conglomerate, I am disgusted because it has taken something that has been helpful to some people and perverted it and made it part of a money making scheme.

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