HardWonbutHappyRN

A quick search will give you information about the program. Some of it is misinformation. I was and still am a bulldog when it comes to getting answers from PNAP and the PHMP and even BON counsel a couple of times. I think a piece that tends to trip people up and scare people away from consulting PNAP is the relationship between PNAP and the PHMP/BON. Some of the "lawyer's perspective" information seems very unclear about that...and one lawyer in particular, seems a little unhinged. His angry tirade blogs may get people fired up and scared enough to pay him money, but don't help clear anything up. To me, HE is the one trying to take advantage of people for money. I am so thankful I did not hire him. I know three people he gave bad advice to that ended with them being monitored anyway, but with discipline on their licenses. Because we have most of our communication with PNAP, some of us (myself included at first) think that PNAP is making the rules. But, we signed a BIG 20+ page contract outlining what monitoring is with the BON, not PNAP. It is my understanding that PNAP is just responsible for monitoring your compliance with that. I don't doubt that some of the case managers try to flex at times like they do have power. Maybe those case managers are in the wrong field. I have heard of some having a bad experience, maybe they can request a new case manager, I don't know. If it were me, I'd find out! I have not experienced that though so I guess I'm lucky. Amy and Joann have been truly amazing. I don't have an opinion on medication treatment. I have not used it but understand it helps many. The comment that PNAP is living in the past will have me calling my case manager, though, and getting more information. Should they change to accomodate MAT? Can they? What prevents them? All questions worth asking if you want to understand.

You have a license to pratice nursing, which is a priviledge, not a right so I'm not sure how discrimination fits here. The BON has a mandate to protect the public, wouldn't you agree? Beyond that, the BON held liable for licensing nurses without due diligence in the event of accident with a patient, God forbid. You were in an accident while intoxicated. Driving while intoxicated is against the law. If you were the BON, with that information, would you not at least require an evaluation?

I guess that could change for PA, too. Time will tell. My dispute is with the claim that PNAP has the power to make you stop using medications or they'll "take your license." And that PNAP is the only option for monitoring so if PNAP won't do it you'll lose your license. At a point it seems like the people claiming that are purposefully spreading misinformation and trying to scare people. It is not helpful for people coming here looking for answers. This program saved my life and my career. I am forever in debt. And I am not alone. Newbies should know, you'll only hear the worst here. And most of it is patently false. Find the people who know (PNAP), ask questions, listen to the answers even if it is something you don't want to hear. In my experience and after hours of questioning, PNAP can't MAKE you do anything. But, they can tell you what may happen if you don't do what is being asked of you by the BON and the PHMP and they know that better than your lawyer or your colleagues or your friends.

You have a license to pratice nursing, which is a priviledge, not a right so I'm not sure how discrimination fits here. The BON has a mandate to protect the public, wouldn't you agree? Beyond that, the BON held liable for licensing nurses without due diligence in the event of accident with a patient, God forbid. You were in an accident while intoxicated. Driving while intoxicated is against the law. If you were the BON, with that information, would you not at least require an evaluation?

Oh, believe me I have. If you had, and had listened to the answer, you would know that PNAP is an abstinence based program. So, no, your compliance with your agreement with the BON and the PHMP cannot be monitored by PNAP if you choose to remain on buprenorphine. PNAP cannot "take your license" if that is the route you decide to take. They would simply not be the agency monitoring you. Your compliance would then be monitored by the PHMP only, not PNAP. That was explained to me from the beginning. My first reaction was defensive as yours seems to be. But then I reflected, read my contract with PNAP and with the BON and PHMP, and asked questions instead of assuming.

Juujuubee, who was it that was so horrible to you at PNAP? My experience was not like that AT ALL so I can assure you there is a "good side" of PNAP. Maybe there is a bad egg, though, I guess I can't speak to that. It is frankly hard to believe that someone told you that you are worthless and that you were treated so horribly.

I researched PNAP a couple of years ago and found many comments here on allnurses. Now that I am in the program, every once in a while, I come back here to look for mention of PNAP. I am always a little shocked by the comments. I try to follow through with the claims about the BON, the PHMP, and PNAP for clarification. I have been able to disprove most of the claims made by my fellow nurses, but have never felt the need to join in the discussion. I believe that people who come here to rant are probably not going to be dissuaded. The amount of misinformation in this post, though, has convinced me to create an account and maybe add a little bit of clarity for some newcomers. Because I have followed up on the wild claims some make about PNAP, PHMP, and the BON, by asking questions sometimes unrelentingly, I think I may have some knowledge to share. Asking unrelenting questions is a habit I've formed over the years so maybe I can shed some light so that you don't have to! For starters, PNAP cannot require anyone to enroll in a monitoring program and they have no power to take your license if you do not. PNAP does not set the requirements for monitoring, the BON and PHMP does. Juujuubee mentions a PNAP doctor. PNAP doesn't employ doctors. PNAP cannot prevent a doctor from prescribing you medications. So that whole scenario sounds made up....beyond a misunderstanding. PNAP cannot "take your license". How could they? They are not the BON or Department of State. They are a private non-profit agency. PNAP is only tasked with monitoring you according to the terms of your contract written by the BON and enforced by the PHMP. This contract, if you are enrolled in the program, was signed BY YOU. There are also claims that nurses are required "by PNAP" to meet with your sponsor once a month for a $100 fee. Huh? a) PNAP doesn't require you specifically to meet with your sponsor. But, you have a sponsor and they charge you money to meet with them?? You're being hoodwinked. Again, PNAP doesn't employ doctors so I'm not sure what the $50 medication fee claim is about. The requirements to get permission from THE PHMP, not PNAP, to return to work are specific and laid out in your monitoring contract, again that YOU signed and returned to the state. When those requirements are met, you will be permitted to work, it is not a matter of the PHMP, PNAP, or the BON state of mind at the time. I definitely cannot speak for every nurse's experience with PNAP, for sure, but to read the claim that PNAP was telling a nurse that they are a piece of crap addict that will never get better....I cannot believe. My experience was the exact opposite of that. Support, kindness, willingness to answer all the questions I had so that I could feel in control, absolutely no judgment about being an addict. I saw one comment about Joann Megon being evil. I have spoken with her over and over and have met her face to face on a couple of occasions. Whoever made that comment must not be talking about the same person. She is the absolute picture of patience, kindness, and sincerity. Were there a couple times when I could detect a tinge of frustration from her after asking the same question 10x...yes. But she, like the other PNAP employees, is human! That tinge of frustration never resulted in her refusal to help me, anger, or judgment. Anyway, scores of nurses have completed the requirements of THE BON and PHMP through monitoring with PNAP. Of course it is not easy and it is a financial burden, but in my opinion, nobody was put into a monitoring program without reason. And PNAP has no control over what the requirements of your contract are with the BON and the PHMP. Even if you don't agee with the process, you have to be able to understand that a licensing board has a responsibility to protect the public. And with that huge liability, must be strict with professionals who MAY possibly be a risk.