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Cost of 1 Year in Florida IPN
When I started in IPN, it was really hard to find transparent information about how much the whole process would cost. Here is a breakdown of what I paid for tests and monitoring over the course of a year. Your individual costs may vary based on the specifics of your contract. I hope this helps someone. Annual program fee “relapse prevention fee” 50.00 X 1 = 50.00 Urine drug test 57.00 X 24 = 1368.00 Blood test 99.00 X 4 = 396.00 Extra expensive urine test 138.00 X 1 = 138.00 Nurse support group fee = 80 X 12 = 960.00 total annual testing and monitoring fees = 2912.00 **This excludes evaluations and treatment costs
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Drop your monthly testing average here please.
In FL, so far I have had 2 urine tests ($55/each) and this is my first month in the program. Other people I know in the program say they usually have 2-3 tests per month.
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Evaluation
I still don’t feel that IPN “wants” me to succeed. Their role is more to protect public safety, so they monitor me because I broke the rules by having THC in my system on a random test. It is like dealing with a probation officer, not a therapist, if that makes sense. It can be frustrating and even demoralizing to deal with these types of programs. Keep in mind that people posting their experiences online are usually doing so because they have STRONG feelings. People are also in all different phases of denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance with their individual situations. Don’t internalize anyone else’s experience, just keep checking in with yourself and those you trust to make sure you are on the right path for you.
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Evaluation
First off, this is a hard process but I can tell you are a strong person by virtue of going through it and not running away. You will get through this and you will be okay, no matter what. I believe the blood test is what checks for alcohol use. My experience was pretty reasonable. I had a lot of fears going into the evaluation based on what I read online. I felt the evaluators treated me with respect and gave fair recommendations. They didn’t try to railroad me into treatment or anything scary like that. My recommendations: Keep the purpose of the evaluation at the front of your mind. They are trying to assess if you can “practice nursing with reasonable skill and safety.” Be professional, polite (even if you feel annoyed), and on time. Dress like you are going to a job interview. Don’t change your story, just stick to the facts. They will ask you a lot of invasive personal questions, going back to childhood traumas etc. It is up to you how much you share, just be prepared. They might question things you say or act like they don’t believe you. Stick to your guns and don’t admit to things you didn’t do because you think it’s what someone wants to hear. My 2 cents, answer truthfully but do not feel like you have to elaborate or tell stories that will retraumatize you. Having a traumatic history will not get you “less time.” They will ask for “collaterals,” which is a weird way of saying they want permission to speak with a few people in your life, such as work supervisor, partner, family members, friends, etc. to see what they have to say about your mental health, substance use history, work performance, etc. Be thinking about 3 or so people you could have them contact. These evaluators rely heavily on toxicology, so having positive tests at the time of your evaluation could make them give a more involved treatment recommendation. Don’t be afraid to ask the evaluators questions. You can straight up ask them if they feel like they have enough information to make a recommendation about your ability to practice nursing with reasonable skill and safety. Ask what questions or concerns they have. Ask what recommendations they are considering. You are entitled to a copy of your evaluation report once IPN gets it, so make sure you request a copy and review it for accuracy. Most of all, hold your head up and remember who you are. Your mistakes don’t define you, and your value as a human isn’t tied to any of this. Sending love and light.
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Evaluation
Hi there. I am in Florida and completed this type of evaluation a while back. It cost $2800, which included staying at a nearby hotel. I commuted to the treatment center each day for the evaluation. It took 2 weeks to get the report. I would be happy to answer any questions. Day 1 - toxicology (hair, blood, and urine), history, consents, neuropsychological testing Day 2 - Neuropsychologist interview, addictionologist interview Day 3 - Psychiatrist consult
- hillsborough community college,Spring 2019
- hillsborough community college,Spring 2019
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Mid-Career Move to Nursing
Very excited about this transition. I have a weird situation because right now I have my full time"day job," a part-time adjunct position in a teacher preparation program, AND finishing up those last prereqs for nursing school his semester. The evening/weekend ADN program I'm interested in only offers spring start dates, so I'll be applying this summer for spring enrollment. Prereqs are going pretty well. I avoided math as much as possible in my youth, so algebra was rough but I managed a B somehow. A's in everything else so far. Definitely did a lot of homework and spent time with nurses before making this decision, and I feel confident about it. Never considered nursing before, until I gained direct experience with their work. I had a pretty unique position in a public sector agency where I was administratively responsible for about 300 staff, some of whom were RNs. I didn't stay with that job because the work environment was extremely toxic, but the gift I took with me was the decision to pursue a new career.
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Mid-Career Move to Nursing
I am almost 40 and working towards a career change to nursing. My graduate and undergraduate degrees are in the social sciences. I'm currently in my last semester of prerequisites and If all goes well, I'll be attending an evening/weekend ADN program at the local community college. The advising office at the community college was very helpful. They evaluated my transcripts and told me which courses to take. Fittingly, sociology is a prerequisite course. Good luck in your journey!
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Special Educator Seeking a Career Change
I am an educator, turning 40 this year, and taking my final semester of prerequisites for nursing school. I hope to attend the ADN program at my local community college.