justasweety

I abused for literally three months. January to April of 2012. I am not trying to dodge the issue, apparently I am not able to clearly communicate my questions. I am not here for people to continue to accuse me of abuse, manipulation of the system or any circumstance. I was wrong, I did wrong, and I am working at being a better person now. I go to my meetings (not required yet) but I started them on my own. I am not trying to dodge treatment, I am okay with that. I just simply do not know if it is worth spending all the money for the next three years on testing and all if I don't even know if I want to be a nurse in the end. I do not have a problem going to meetings, admitting I have a problem and so forth. If I surrender my nursing license will that bar me from getting a degree in medical transcription or something of the sort that is more paper based, I am GREAT with paperwork. Yes, addicts lie. However, it seems instead of support of others that are asking it, people are quicker to judge. Thank you everyone that gave helpful input.

I think some of you may have misunderstood. I go to AA, there is no NA close by. I am not denying I had a problem. I am not attempting to downplay my problem by listing the amount of time I abused. That was strictly giving a little background. My questions where based along the line of....do I want to pay bookoo bucks out of pocket for three years to keep a license I do not even know if I want anymore. There is not more background to the story. I am not using now, nor even in the last year. The cravings where simply mentioned as a reference to being proud that after a horrible dental experience and taking two weeks of narcs, I had no issues with cravings after the treatment/pain was over.

From what I am understanding in certain situations you are placed on the OIG list. If you are on that list, you can not even work as a janitor in a facility that receives Medicare/Medicaid or any other federal based payments due to specifications of the Affordable care act. I am online now trying to research more into reasons you can be placed on the list. I don't know that if I go from a suspended license to surrendering my license and not completing the TnPap and so forth. From what I am seeing it is criminal based and I didn't have charges. I didn't know if someone on here might have more knowledge of how that works.

Oh please don't get me wrong, I am not unhappy with being suspended. I am thankful it wasn't revoked because I would have even less options. What I did was wrong, plain and simple.

I have been an LPN for over 19 years. This past January I admitted to diverting narcotics and the BON agreed to a suspended license instead of revocation. Stipulation being I have to participate in TnPap. I have 180 days from when the order was signed to get started with TnPap. Being clean is not a problem. I have been clean since May 2012. Even had to take narcotics after horrible dental work with dry sockets but was so happy that I didn't have those old cravings and all. I abused for right at 3 months total. ANYWAY...enough back story. I do not know if I want to be a nurse anymore. I know I was kind of burned out anyway before this happened but I am really leaning towards putting my experience and education into going to school for medical transcription/coding, something that is more paperwork related. My fear is, I do not completely understand the Affordable care act and the OIG list and so forth. If I surrender my license without going through the TnPap (and the cost of monitoring is an issue) will I be placed on the list where I can't work in any facility that accepts federal funds? I am looking for input on ideas of what to do. There is so much cost involved in the monitoring to keep my license and then the ordeal of trying to find a job that will hire me that falls in line with the TnPap guidelines. At this point, I am okay with not being a nurse anymore but I do not want to shoot myself in the foot from working in another area.

Thank you everyone for your input....*update*...TCN "advisor" did come. I was very prepared and asked several questions she didn't like. The final question was, "why should I use your company when I can go directly through EC?" She was not prepared and didn't have a response. I did not sign, do not plan on signing and it is all thanks to the input and this website. I plan on calling EC tomorrow and find out what I need to do to get started with them. Oh, and it now cost $6915.oo if you only need two classes in addition to the nursing courses. PLUS $4040.00 from EC for their part. Almost $11000!! They are crazy!! The "advisor" also stated that I needed to hurry because it is going up in June.....lol....not for meeeee!! Anyway, once again, thank you all for your input and post that helped me avoid this problem. Thank you:yeah:

I have nearly 5 years corrections experience. The first rule I stand by is follow the rules. DO NOT give ANYTHING not on the MAR or allowed by standing orders. Even a simple Tylenol can come back to haunt you. Next, stand by your word, If you are doing med pass and something isn't right (inmate states he/she should be receiving a med) and you say you will check on it then do it. Don't blow smoke. Last, you are not there to be judge and jury but you are also not there to baby. Be professional, fair, and consistent. Corrections is not for everyone. I personally do well in that enviroment, but I can completely understand where others do not. I would have an anxiety attack if I am told I have to work with pediatrics..lol..oh...and sometimes dealing with the officers can be harder than dealing with the inmates...lol. Oh, last of all, don't be shocked at what you might see, a tough hide can make it a little easier..lol

Thank goodness I found this website. I am an LPN and I am considering starting classes to obtain my RN. I have been looking around on the internet to check out my options. (I have a three year old daughter, 14 month old twin boys, and a husband leaving for Iraq very soon). Traditional college is not really a safe bet, all I need is one virus for the kids and I have missed too much class time. From what I am seeing I need to avoid college network and rue and go through Excelsior college directly? I am from Tn. Are there any other colleges out there that I might check into for online/distance learning that I may have missed? I am going to call Tn BON tomorrow and double check on acceptance of EC but wanted to make sure if there were other programs I might have missed so I can ask all questions with one call. I am always open to advice and input. Anything you can recommend would be appreciated. I am going to continue to read through other postings and learn more.