learninglessons12

I have 6 weeks left which seem like an eternity at this point. I would get 2 nights of orientation on night shift. At this point, I think I need to just talk to my managet and explain my situation and see if I can complete the reminder of my orientation on nights.

I have been a nurse for 7 years now and just recently started orienting in the ICU. I am a night nurse but it is common practice for nurses orienting in ICU to do 2 months of day shift before returning to night shift. The problem is that I absolutely cannot sleep at night. I have spent most of my orientation in a daze fighting to concentrate because I am so tired due to lack of sleep. I want to explain my situation to my new manager but dont want to seem like I want special treatment. Any advice?

I recently completed TPAPN and on my interviews, I was always 100% transparent and honest. I told them what I did, how I regretted it and how I had changed. I got passed over for a few jobs but was able to find a job and successfully complete the program. You have to be honest. If someone seems interested, you need to tell them the whole story, how you are doing in your recovery ect. The addict is known for lying and being deceitful - it goes hand and hand with staying in addiction. There are people out there who will give you a chance but you need to be honest. Also try some of the psych hospitals, they are usually recovery friendly. When I was in IOP, there were two other nurses in class with me. We all found jobs at psych hospitals and one of them had diverted drugs. You may even come across a nurse manager who is a recovering addict and they will see right through you if you are not honest but will give you a chance if you come across as being sincere. Lastly, apply to every nursing home you can. I completed the program while working in LTC. I know for a fact that my DON hired me because I was an experienced RN who wouldn't be going anywhere for at least 1 year in facility that has extremely high turnover. Good Luck, you can do this!!! Keep us posted.

To the OP, I can totally feel your pain. I too work in long term care. However, I have worked in other settings and can tell you that there is no setting like the nursing home. In my time in LTC, I have seen some of the worst behavior from both co-workers, patients and their family members. It is also my personal opinion that LTC is not always the best setting for a new nurse. You are only human and you should not feel embarrassed that you cried. The fact that you have that kind of emotion also lets me know that you are probably a very compassionate person who cares alot about your residents. Let that roll off your shoulders and keep going with your head held high. You are in an environment that is not healthy and it seems like you have no support from management. If that were me, that would be my cue that it's time to go. I have found that when you work for larger organizations like a hospital or a larger business, they have a culture and that type of behavior is usually not allowed. So maybe you should try looking for another job. Secondly, when I was in my first year of nursing, the other nurses were really mean to me, I mean just downright ignorant. I tolerated it for awhile but one day this nurse tried me and I read her the script. She got red in the face, I told her to get her mind right, gave her 5 minutes, walked away and came back in exactly 5 minutes and asked her if she was good. I didn't have any more problems from any of those nurses once they knew that I would clap back at them. Stand up for yourself, just keep it professional. Good luck. You are awesome, this is just a small challenge in the grand scheme of life. You will get through this and it will make you stronger.

Yes, I am reviving this thread but with good reason. Everything has come full circle and I am happy to announce that today I received the official word that I have finished TPAPN. I tried to log into Recoverytrek on Friday and received a message that I could not check in because my status was complete. I hadn't heard anything from my CM so I was going berserk thinking she sent my case back to the board. I had been late with some paperwork so I was scared. I had to wait the whole weekend and spoke with my CM this morning and she told me I had "graduated" and said "Merry Christmas." This journey has been amazing. I never thought I would see the end. I have learned so much and I am a different person than the person that wrote that first post back in September of 2010. I want to thank everyone who provided so much support throughout this time. I want anyone who is going through this process to know that you can do it. Never lose faith. Peace out!!

ppltx, I am currently in TPAPN. I guess the board is telling you to self report? I am not sure. I am currently in TPAPN but that was after I was referred by the board after a positive drug screen. If I could do everything over again, I would have gotten a lawyer who was well versed in TPAPN. No one one this site can give you legal advice and telling you how to proceed could be considered giving legal advice. The first time I talked to my case manager, she asked me about my drug use and then told me I would have to be evaluated. They usually send you some correspondence in the mail with a list of approved facilities where you can be assessed. I have found many lawyers who are former physicians, PA's and there was even 1 lawyer who was a former TPAPN advocate (after the fact). I don't think it would hurt for you to get some legal advice. I think TPAPN is great for those who need to start the recovery process. I don't know how I feel about someone who is in good recover and has been for several years going through the program. Good luck on this journey.

I think most of the programs are the same and want you to have a certain amount of time working in nursing so that you can be monitored and exhibit safe nursing practices. In Texas, TPAPN requires 1 full year working for the same employer in order to sucessfully complete the program.

Hi All, I was just wondering how many of you tell the recruiters you are in TPAPN vs. waiting to tell the manager who is interviewing. I have been getting calls from recruiters and It goes really well and they forward my resume. Then I start to feel like I am being a little dishonest. Just wondering what your thoughts are about this.

After my experience with TPAPN, I would highly suggest that you get an attorney who is well versed with these sort of issues and dealing with the board.

I too have had a problem with a shy bladder. I have never had a complaint of dilute urine but I know for a fact that at least one time my urine had too be diluted because it was almost clear. After that I actually started to pay attention to how my body worked. After my first void, I noted how long it took before I had to pee again. I kept track for a day of how long it would take before I had to pee again. I drank the way I always do and didn't change anything. After that I was basically able to calculate when I would need to urinate. Also, I take my phone with me and look up a waterfall on youtube while I am waiting at the facility. It actually helps.

I too have had a problem with a shy bladder. I have never had a complaint of dilute urine but I know for a fact that at least one time my urine had too be diluted because it was almost clear. After that I actually started to pay attention to how my body worked. After my first void, I noted how long it took before I had to pee again. I kept track for a day of how long it would take before I had to pee again. I drank the way I always do and didn't change anything. After that I was basically able to calculate when I would need to urinate. Also, I take my phone with me and look up a waterfall on youtube while I am waiting at the facility. It actually helps.

I went on the interview. I actually did really well and the interview lasted approximately 1 hour. I believe I had all the qualities they were looking for. Of course when I mentioned TPAPN, the interview changed. The interviewer was honest with me and told me it changed where I stood in the applicant pool because she couldn't afford to have a nurse who might have to miss work ect. She asked me a lot of questions about where I was now in my recovery ect. She told me that she would make her decision by the end of the month but I won't be holding my breath.

I am so nervous. I have an interview tomorrow at a Davita. The first place I worked under TPAPN turn out to be a nightmare and eventually lost medicare funding. In December I actually got a job offer at another psych hospital after being referred by one of the doctors I worked with and was told that TPAPN was not a problem by the director of the intake department during the interview. They tried to get me to start working without doing the return to work conference which I declined. I later got a call from HR stating that the job offer had been rescinded since I was in TPAPN. Tomorrow I have this interview and I hear that dialysis is recovery friendly. I guess I am hoping for the the best but expecting the worse. Any advice or encouragement would be greatly appreciated.

I totally agree with nowim clean. If you have only 9 months to complete your contract, you should stay put until you are done. I too have heard that some states will make you start from scratch. It is really hard to find a job here in Texas when you are in the monitoring program. Good luck.

During my chemical dependency assessments, I went to an LCDC. I was asked details about every aspect of my life: work, relationships, family, living arrangements, drug and alcohol use, hobbies ect. My personal advice is to pay for the assessment out of pocket and don't let them know you have insurance. During my 1st initial assessment, I went to a place that was a division of my employer and they knew I had good insurance. I believe that the lady who did my assessment wanted to admit me to the most intensive outpatient program because she knew I had good insurance. I went to The Right Step because I did not agree with the initial assessment. I told the counselor at the Right Step the exact same thing I told the first lady and she wanted me to go to EEP. Because I had conflicting evaluations, I had to drive from Houston to Dallas to see a psychiatrist and I ended up in TPAPN anyway.

Hi there, In your situation, no news is good news. I would work all the overtime I could, stack as much money as you can. Here in TX, I worked until TPAPN case manager told me I had to quit working. (In my case, I got fired from the job where I tested positive but was still working PRN at another hospital) I'm sure u quit smoking by now and if u haven't then stop now. I've read other posts about FL monitoring program and they seem to move pretty slow. Good luck, hope this helps.

Hi Heidi, I know that TXRN2 answered alot of your questions. In addition to your case manager, you will also be assigned an advocate whom you must call at least 1x weekly. Your advocate should be able to give you alot of advice. As far as the drug testing goes, there is a labcorp near the museum in the medical center. If I come in ready to pee, I'm never in there for more than 3o minutes because it's never that busy so maybe you can go on your lunch break, Worst case scenario, there is a Concentra in Katy that stays open until 9 p.m. You will have to pay concentra 30 something dollars up front in addition to the labcorp fee but you will be able to test after hours if you need to. Read all of your paperwork and make sure you understand all of the restrictions ect. Good,luck on your journey. It is difficult but you definitely can do this. So glad you came to allnurses because there is so much support here.

It would be better for you to call of and use a sick day. As a nurse, you probably know that everyone has a different tolerance for pain medication. If any of your co-workers or patients complain that you appear under the influence,you can be called for a random drug test, be reported to the board and end up in a monitoring program if you have one in your state. The board isn't gonna want to hear about your pain or the fact that you had a root canal. Your judgement will be questioned and you will probably be asked why you didn't just stay home if you were in enough pain that required you to take a narcotic. It's only my opinion...

Congratulations, I'm so happy for you!!!

I am in tpapn and I go 3 times a month faithfully. 2 times for drugs and once for alcohol. It is really expensive but at the end of the day, I am grateful to have the opportunity to continue practicing nursing so I won't complain.

I am a nurse who is in TPAPN because I used marijuana. I always thought that as long as I didn't slip and fall, I would never get tested. I smoked on my days off and kept my uniforms separate from where I smoked. All it took for me to get called for a random test was a complaint from a patients family member. It was a malicious thing done by this patients family but if I had not been using, I would have ended up with a couple of paid days off instead of 2 years in TPAPN. A career in nursing and the use of illicit drugs are like oil and water. They don't mix.

I agree that CNA or PCA is the way to go. All of the students in my nursing class who were PCAs had job offers during the last semester of nursing school. Good luck.

Hi all, Here's the situation. I have been in TPAPN for 10 months now. I had a positive UA for marijuana. I have completed therapy and got a job in March 2011. The DON who hired me was very supportive and I suspect she was in TPAPN at some point. She hired a lot of TPAPN nurses at the psych hospital where I work. She was demoted and then eventually let go. There was never an announcement about her release from the company I report to the Director of my department and the new DON. They have it out for me. During my 90 day review, I got a 100. My director had me sign my review and then went on to attack my personality and told me that I have a flat affect and act like I don't care. She berated me and the review ended with me in tears. 2 weeks ago, I was chosen for a 1 person random drug test. No one else was tested, just me. Not a problem since I don't use anymore. But I feel like they were hoping it came back positive so they could fire me. Then when my six months in employment came up, my DON tried to paint a picture about me so that the narcotic restriction could not be lifted. I talk to my advocate and tell her everything that's going on with me. It was only after my case manager talked to my advocate and my advocate telling her that the restriction needed to be lifted so I could find another job that my restriction was lifted. My Grandmother passed away 2 weeks ago and my director tried to influence me to only take 1/3 bereavement days. I almost did what she wanted because I'm in TPAPN but then I decided to take all my bereavement. A patient recently complained about me stating that I kicked her out of my office and lunged at her. I am the only nurse in the admissions department at my hospital. I had actually received a call from the coordinator that a patient had just come in with a heart rate of 145. So I told the lady who complained on me that I needed to see the new patient immediately and would continue the assessment when I was finished. She went and complained to my director that I kicked her out of my office and lunged at her. I have put in a 6 week notice because I felt like the things that they are doing at my job will not just affect the job but also my license. I knew that they would not stand behind me when this lady was stating that I lunged at her. I know I could possibly have to stand in front of the board for this lady saying I lunged at her. Any advice or words of encouragement are greatly appreciated.

I agree with backtowork, Get help on your own. You have already acknowledged that you have a problem which is a major challenge for other nurses who are reported to the board. Get the help you need, commit to your recovery and take it one day at a time.

rngaltx, When I read a post like yours, I feel truly inspired. I am so grateful that a community like this exists. Thank you so much for your kind words. I feel like a lot of us are blessed. A lot of us got a second chance with our careers and our lives. Truly a blessing!