Scared-RN

In Texas it was 2-3 times a month. No specialty tests during my whole three years. Urine only.

1 year, 6 months......Halfway done!

I work nights and weekends as well. It is on a case by case basis and depends a lot on your case manager, and the level of supervision in your unit. I was approved for nights/weekends on a Med/surg Floor, but denied nights on OB/GYN surgery because I would have been the only RN on during my shift. Other staff would be there, but no one with authority to supervise me.

Yup. 1 year, 3 months. How long have you been in?

Ok guys, long time since I last posted. Here goes. I was caught diverting.....first time i did it I got caught. I self-reported to TPAPN and BON. I was off work for several months, blew through most of my savings, but was able to return in September. Part time only, but that's because I was part time before this happened. My employer did not want me floor Nursing while on narcotic restriction so I have been a Discharge Nurse since I went back. I hate it....but it is a job, same pay, and I am grateful. I have recently interviewed for an education position at the hospital, disclosed my status at the interview and am still waiting to hear back about that. They said they would let me know one way or another. I have had a few bumps. Today, for the first time in the program (since July), i for got to check in. Just was sick all day and I was really out of it.....no drugs taken, just had to power through the migraine with the nausea and vomiting. I have e-mailed my case manager, but by the time I realized it I could not find an approved lab open to do a self test. I imagine I will be "randomly selected" tomorrow. Anyine forget get to check in? My case manager has been great, just seems like this may get hit on pretty hard. Let me know what you think!

I Was asked to do a drug test under suspicion of diverting (I did it), and self reported, both to BON and TPAPN. I admitted everything to my employers and both my manager and HR were very supportive. I have been on leave for about six weeks and was evaluated by a psychologist. Only required to do bi-weekly counseling and can return to work as soon as my counselor releases me.....hopefully next week. At that point I will discuss my options with HR and my manager. Right now I feel like reporting m shelf was the best thing I could have done.....especially since even the short wait for what would happen was awful. I could not imagine going weeks, month, or even years never knowing when my life would be changed......at least now i can start everything and actually get help.......yes, I needed it.

Congratulations from someone just beginning!! You give me hope!

I have had my psychological evaluation and am awaiting treatment recommendations. I was lucky enough to find a qualified provider who only charged $300 for the entire visit and testing about 40 minutes away. How long after your evaluations did you find out if you were accepted into TPAPN? As of right now I have only been provisionally accepted, and am awaiting all the paperwork and agreement forms. This process does certainly teach you patience. After being out of work for more than a month, and self referring within 2 days, I am surprised that I am still not completely enrolled. What has everyone else's timeline been? Thanks!

So it has been three weeks since I self-reported to TPAPN, two weeks since the board referred me to TPAPN. I still haven't been assigned a case manager. I have been going to NA meetings for over a week.....just wanted to get started on SOMETHING. I was surprised to find I am now looking forward to my meetings each day. I have been dealing with depression and anxiety with periodic episodes of self medication for years. Sometimes months or even years between the substance use. Sometimes it has been alcohol, sometimes RX meds. I feel kind of blessed that I finally got caught and am getting help. I have gotten nothing but love and support from my family, and I have been blessed to keep my part-time job at a Nursing school (I'm a graduate assistant until I graduate in August, I hope) even though I told my boss what happened. I felt she needed to know, especially since I work with nursing students and they do clinical in the hospital I work. I have been able to keep my insurance from work, HR granted me a personal leave of absence, and once I'm under the care of a psychiatrist who says I cannot go back to work right now, I will qualify for disability. (After I finish my other job in August). So that will help a little bit with income. I feel like I have the best situation at this time that I could possibly have with these circumstances and I don't deserve it, but I am grateful. Thanks everyone for your help and advice. I will continue to look to you all for help as I start this long journey. Thanks everyone!!!!!

Thanks so much. I heard from the board and they did refer me to TPAPN. I'm expecting to hear from them any time now. I have been clean for almost a month now and have been going to meetings, so I hope to go back to work soon. HR at my job has been really positive about me coming back in some capacity. So I am just keeping my fingers crossed and running for the mail everyday!

Thanks everyone for the info and support. It will be a long road, but I am hopeful, especially after talking to people who have been there.

Was there a physical assessment as well? Like labs, etc?

Can anyone tell me what all is involved in the addiction evaluation?

TAE, did you have to do inpatient treatment?

Did you have to do inpatient treatment?