TXStrong

I could have continued to fight it but after 6 years I know the BON was not going to let me walk away with nothing. The original complaint was unfounded but where I messed up during this fight was testing pos for THC. I had been on vaca for 2 weeks and was not subjected to call but my luck when I got home I had a letter stating I had to have a forensic eval within 30 days no exception from the date of the letter. After my eval before leaving they said last thing was I had to test same day. And that was how I ended up in the situation. I specifically asked what was involved in this eval and being tested was not mentioned. Mediation with the board was horrible and their attorney was going hard like I had literally killed someone. They also had a nurse during the meeting and she did not back me up when I was trying to explain to this attorney that the verbiage she was using was inaccurate. I would ask her to please help explain how things are done and she was silent. Long story short I signed out scheduled Ativan on the DEA she but while signing them out in my charting the computer went down for 4 hours and I failed to go back in when it came back up. When I got called in to discuss with Amins my drug test was completely negative. Just some BS but I just wanted to go on and not have this hanging over my head anymore. I took the deal for TPAPN for 2 years confidential no stips and a clear license while completing the program. It's wiped from my record now that I've completed my program. I figured it was the best I was going to get.

No and I was shocked that the last 2 weeks I wasn't tested at all. Could just be random I guess. I've only had UAs and it did vary on what options I was tested for through Affinity.

I was done day of. My employer received notice same day and that was that. No idea how long it will take the BON to do their thing but in my case I never had stips or anything show on my license because it was confidential and now that I've completed my program it's completely wiped. Not sure how long it will take them to reinstate my compact license though. You got this!!

I actually completed my program yesterday! I tested positive for TCH after a 2 week vaca. Paid for the expensive forensic eval 2x and both showed no substance abuse disorder but was told that it doesn't matter still have to do the program. Part of my requirements were to see a therapist and he also said there's no need but since I was there, I worked on personal issues. 2 NA meetings weekly, it was ridiculous!

I didn't even divert and got a 2 year monitoring program! During the mediation with the BON attorney, you would have thought I murdered someone. In fact she was going so hard the mediators had to step in and put us in break out rooms. It was the most uncomfortable position I'd ever been in and it wasn't even that serious!!

My thoughts exactly! The crazy part is that you could drink a 5th of vodka after every shift and that's OK as long as you don't report to work under the influence and clearly noticeable to others. It's mind boggling to me that the BON can control what you can and can't do from behind closed doors. I'm not saying there aren't situations that require them to intervene, but very minor things like my case, doesn't deserve a 2 year program for substance abuse. The cost alone is astronomical and I was lucky to not get stips on my license and could still work. I will say in the beginning I seriously considered voluntary surrender because I didn't know what to expect and if I could even do it. I knew if I did, the BON had won and got exactly what they wanted, another nurse's license. In my exit interview I was asked how TPAN affected my sobriety. I was honest and said the only thing this program has done is that I never want to be in this position ever again! Today is my official last day!!

I left bedside by choice and now do telephonic case management remotely. Those types of roles do not deal with handling narcotics so would be an easy transition.

If this is your first offense you will most like be given a diversion program. Usually you have stips on your license and won't be able to pass narcotics for a certain amount of time. Which for some, means finding a different specialty. I've only had positive responses from employers when discussing the monitoring program and they did not treat me any differently. It all sounds horrifying to you right now, I was the same way. I have almost completed my 2 years in the program, 7 days in fact! Looking back it wasn't bad, very expensive and inconvenient, but doable. BTW it took a year to receive the first letter from the BON. I responded with my answers the accusations and did not hear from them again for 2 more years. Work as much as you can and do not discuss the pending board action with anyone. You are not required to mention anything until your case has been determined or stips placed against your license. Hang in there, this does not define you!

I am in my last 30 days of a 2 year program, 18 days in fact, not that I'm counting. I wonder if they drug test through Affinity until the final day or if they give good time exceptions? LOL I doubt it, this is TPAPN after all. Also I wanted to say to those just entering this program that your career is not over! I was so ashamed of this entire situation but was determined to not let it define me. My case was not about diversion but tested positive for THC after a 2 week vacation. There was so much completely wrong on how this played out, but after fighting it for 5 years, I just played their game so I could move forward with my life. I was so pessimistic about this, thinking it's such a long time to have to contemplate every single thing you put in your body. Vacation had to be scheduled around places with testing sites and the cost was just crazy.!! I have reached the finish line and this will be wiped from my record completely. Please know, you can and you will get through this! If you truly struggle with addiction, take this time to really evaluate what's important to you and your life and be prepared to do whatever it takes. All cases are different and this has just been my experience here in Texas. I'm happy to answer any questions I can if it will ease your mind about starting the journey! This does not define YOU!

No, absolutely you're right. I was just being honest.

So Texas uses affinity spectrum. There is many approved sites to choose. Just in my area I have 6 different ones within 25 miles. You will have an app on your phone to check in everyday from 4am-2pm So you will be able to plan your day around it. I work remote at home so I don't use a whole lot of hand sanitizer. It is something that is more of an inconvenience than anything else but it doesn't show on my license and as long as I don't have any issues it never will be. I agreed to TPAPN because after 7 years of fighting it I just wanted to move on with my life. At first they tried to make it where I couldn't pass Narc's for 6months but I told my case worker my current employer would not accommodate and she was nice enough to lift that stip .It's all a bunch of BS and as we all know in Texas nobody has nurses backs.

I have a lot of info from my personal experience in TX. It may be different depending on location. Do not surrender your license. I went into it thinking the same but it's just been an inconvenience than everything. If you have a positive drug screen and you are not dirty they will send it out for further testing. Honestly it hasn't been that bad and I was constantly considering the worst case scenario. I just play their game and they leave me alone. Also where I'm at they do not random on the weekends so if I want a drink at dinner it will be out of my system before I'm tested again.

I'm not sure where you are from but I have a lot of info based off my experience. It says you can only send a PM when you have posted 15 times. Kinda odd. But anyway not sure how I can talk to you privately, it's entirely too much info to make a post. Maybe [email protected]??

No doubt! Absolutely will get an attorney just until now I felt like I could handle it.

Exactly!! In Texas we do not have a union for nurses. There is absolutely no one to turn to for help except an expensive lawyer. For the last 5 years I have lived with thought "is today the day they take away my ability to provide for my family?". I get emails showing what mail pieces I have coming and my heart just stops when I see letters from the bon. Usually it's just a letter to inform me that that it's become necessary to extend the time frame for my case. Talk about stress!!