Nurseforatu

Fresenius medical care in Beaumont area...there are actually 5 clinics inthe surrounding area. Tpapn restrictions arent a problem there.

Try a dialysis clinic. They do not have controlled subs at all so that isnt a problem. I did that and love it..been out of tpapn almost 2 yrs now and I actually just got promoted to clinic manager. Its a very good environment for a fresh start.

I just made 25 months sober after a battle with iv narcotics...and yes it continues to get better and better. My advocate told me that for the 1st whole year and I couldn't see past not being able to find a nursing job. She was right though, God makes a place for us where we need to be. I too, am working in an out pt dialysis clinic, and I LOVE it!! It's nothing like ER nursing--which I did for 8 years--and I thank God every day that its not! My stress level is down, my boss is understanding to my needs and yes...life is great. I feel more healthy and vital than I have in forever!

I'll tell you this from the other side of the spectrum..I was that nurse who was turned in for suspicious Pyxis activity...I was also taking up to 800mg of Demerol a shift. The nurse that turned me in most probably saved my life. You should not feel bad in the least for 2 reasons: number 1: it's your duty to do so. Number 2: you probably forced that nurse to get help. I've been clean and sober now for 25 months but even in the beginning I could feel nothing but relief that it was finally over...so believe me, you did the right thing.

Woman came in with a condom "lost"..but the topper was a tv remote fully "lost" in the...hmm...lower gi tract! Surgeon had to be called out.

Yes, Texas does too. In the beginning it was every 2-3 weeks but now I average about once a month, but TPAPN just switched from NCPS to Firstlab, so it may be more often now.

Yep, I'm in Texas as well. I get tested once a month usually. I know my CM was able to arrange for one of my peers to get a couple of complimentary forms until she could get back on her feet. It's all about communicating with your CM. In most cases if you're otherwise compliant with your program, they will try to help you out if they can.

Oh, I'll be the first one to admit I have been setting myself up for failure. I have tried dialysis, but unfortunately, the 2 centers I applied at had had bad experiences with TPAPN nurses in the past. I've far from given up, though. I'm just having to think outside the box and go for things I'm scared to do (i.e. home health). I've also started looking for openings such as discharge nurse, assessment nurse..other avenues that may be better able to accomodate my restrictions; and of course, ltc facilities. I trust that when God has where He wants me that door will open. In the meantime I just have to keep trying and stick to my recovery.

I am learning the hard way about "being picky" . Hopefully now that I am applying at nursing homes and home health places I'll be more fruitful. I have to believe God will put us where He wants us though...even if right now it happens to be at Wal-Mart.

I have found it impossible to find a nursing job while on TPAPN and would love some pointers on what I'm doing wrong. I've already been on TPAPN for 1 1/2 years and have had to get a job at Wal-Mart just to try and help with the bills. I am beginning to feel like throwing in the towel as it is time consuming and costing me 55 a month I don't have to stay on TPAPN, so if anyone has any suggestions I'm all ears.

My addiction also started while I was working in the ER. The sad thing is, even in my own active addiction, I was the one always complaining about the "drug seekers". In retrospect, I guess it's like they say in the NA group I go to "if you spot it, you got it".

Hello neighbor. I'm about 2hrs from Houston (Beaumont area) and am experiencing the same troubles. I've already been on TPAPN for 1 year and 6 months and STILL have not found a nursing job. I have to strongly agree with the poster that said hold your head up. It's so true I can't tell you how many interviews I blew because I had defeated myself before I even got started. Now I'm finally listening to my advocate and pursuing different areas of nursing I wouldn't have considered before. I was evicted and had to live with my husband's sister for 7 months. Finally, I took a non-nursing job at Wal-Mart, and you know what? It has been a key part of my recovery; you see, I was the big bad ER nurse with 7 years exp. under my belt. My sponsor asked me early on if I thought I was too good to do anything but nursing and I of course said no..I've had to rethink that...I did think that way at that point in my recovery. The point is, I've found my current job to hold many lessons and at least help with the bills a little. I am still trying everywhere imaginable to get a nursing job, and when I do get one, I can assure you I will not take it for granted this time.

I found that although it meant losing my job and "having to" go on tpapn to salvage my license, I was just greatful for it to be over so I could get some help. At no point did I blame the nurse who turned me in or even harbor negative feelings towards her. As others have pointed out, as nurses we have the obligation of reporting unsafe nurses, and an addicted nurse is an unsafe nurse.

I'm from Texas..fortunately my employer did not file charges for the diversion and I was able to start tpapn without any legal ramifications