Tnccriley

I walked away from nursing several years ago. Eva use of HPRP. I think the class action suit has not yet. Even settled. Any idea? And has anything actually changed? I refused to participate because I didn't do anything and there was never an investigation. But if anything has changed, I would consider going. Ack to work, although I would now. Red a refresher

Beginning with an actual investigation is step #1! Secondly, why have an option to appeal if a judge orders a license be reinstated and you are going to have a monitoring agreement anyway? There are not nearly enough caseworkers Caseworkers should be changed again and again Board members should be accountable for their decisions and have appropriate reasons for making them It is unacceptable for boards to only meet, for example, the second Tuesday of every month! Previous completion of a monitoring agreement should not be considered (in the nurses favor of a healthcare professionals or against the favor of a healthcare provider) if a new complaint is lodged Narcotic administration upon returning to a work environment should not be required nor banned. Only the person in the monitoring agreement knows if they can or cannot ever dispense narcotics without it causing temptation. Furthermore, it creates a burden on the other care providers, causes delay of appropriate treatment for patients and creates an unnecessary breach of confidentiality for the professional in a monitoring agreement. It is not necessary for the entire unit to know when someone is in recovery and is counterproductive! Having to log meeting attendance create a lot of paperwork for caseworkers when there is no possible way to discern whether or not signatures are even legitimate. And finally, two things...if or when things finally change, the thousands healthcare professionals that refused to participate in the shenanigans should have a way to become informed of this, as many may revisit the possibility of returning to a profession already facing a critical shortage and finally if said healthcare professional determines they should not return to a clinical setting, they should not be forced to do so in order to remain in compliance with a monitoring agreement.

The whole issue speaks to a bigger issue. That issue being the stigma associated with mental health disorders. When in Gods name will we recognize substance abuse, anxiety, depression and so on as legitimate diagnoses? Only then will one be able to take the necessary time off for appropriate treatment and have a job to return when mind altering (band-aid) medications are no longer required to function!

So, my thought is this...where to draw the line. I know healthcare professionals that routinely take Xanax and provide patient care. And some will argue that Xanax doesn't effect their aboto practice just like those who argue that marijuana doesn't effect their ability to practice. Should we draw the line based on the "scheduled" classification of a medication? Because speaking from experience I have taken the antidepressant Wellbutrin and feel I was better able to mange my life and care for my patients. Yet some will say that techno, doesn't that also alter your mind? And better yet some will say their requirement for insulin to manage diabetes is no different. But seriously can we compare apples to apples here?

I have to agree...if someone requires mind altering medication to function, maybe what they really see is a break. This is going to start a whole load of banter. At least I hope it will. I feel like as a society we have become accustomed to putting a band aid on things. But then, when then the band aid is effective we abandon the search for a better treatment option. I mean, just because the band worked doesn't mean we would leave the nasty thing on for all eternity.

Besides, honesty, doesn't it stay in your system for an unsure amount of time? With that being said, isn't it possible to also affect your capabilities for an undetermined amount of time. I'm guessing that would be the reason for not hiring a medical professional even when the have a "legal" prescription for marijuana. I welcome any input on the subject whether you are for or against the legalization of marijuana. I'm particularly interested in thoughts about whether or not you think medical professionals have the right to practice if they are prescribed marijuana by a doctor

You are a ticking time bomb. Do yourself a favor (and everyone else) and find employment NOT RELATED TO NURSING for now. Keep your license active, complete your continuing education as required and get yourself some legitimate treatment. DO NOT GO BACK TO NURSING until you have some serious recovery time behind you. And even then, seek out a position that accommodates YOU and YOUR RECOVERY.

Yes there is a class action lawsuit in Michigan...going nowhere fast!

Actually, that is exactly what happened to me! I was told I would have to take some sort of documentation remediation class but was then terminated and referred to the recovery program! After passing the on the spot fit for duty test requested

I disagree. Knowing exactly where to turn for help specifically gives one the potential to seek help BEFORE ever placing a single patient at risk.

That is fantastic to hear! The whole point of these programs is to stop a problem BEFORE anyone gets injured. I mean, in any other setting, you come to work impaired you lose your job. You make a mistake...you lose your job or face some sort of discipline. In the healthcare setting though, there is no room for an error that could prove to be fatal. So, along those lines of thinking the idea is to address a problem BEFORE a mistake is made. Would it not follow then, that employees (nurses) need to be aware that help is available to begin with? I too was not aware of the program until being mandated to comply with it. 4 years of nursing school, and 5 years of practice and not so much as a whisper.

In my experience having a lawyer has not been advantageous only even more costly

Have you lost your mind? Have you discussed this with your sponsor?

No, it seems to be the same everywhere. Save yourself a lot of time and money and instead seek alternative employment

I don't know how one state differs from another but from everything I've read, they all seem very similar. I'm in Michigan. I have given up on nursing. I would love to see the statistics on nurses that complete a monitoring agreement and go on in nursing with no further involvement with the board. I personally went through the hassle of completing a three year contract only to find out that you are condemned to suspicion for the entirety of your nursing career. Anytime and every time there is ANY question in regards to the narcotics on your unit...the nurse that has been involved with a monitoring agreement is the easiest scapegoat! Guilty or not, it doesn't matter. And as far as that fit for duty test....that doesn't matter either. Passed mine, on the spot, with flying colors. Still terminated and referred to the board and recovery program. Most lawyers are in it for the money, not some benevolent sense of justice. They will gladly take your money but again, nothing will change. In fact, even taking your chances and going before a judge won't change anything. My judge ruled the board to reinstate my license and so they did. But there was no exhonoration...I was still required to sign a 3 year contract-so why did I even go in front of a judge if they really have no authority!??! nobody likes a negative person and this is all very discouraging if you're in recovery. These are things nobody wants to hear. The thing is, if I had known then, what I know now, I could have saved a LOT of money and even more time, as well as changing careers at least 4 years sooner!