BluffcityRN

In Tn, at least twice a year. At a cost of $295 each. I have been told by RNs that have been in for a few years and are very compliant that the # of tests a year remains the same; hair 2 yearly, blood 4 yearly, and urine 20 yearly= 26 a year. I have been tested once or twice every two weeks for 3 months. Some of them within 2 days of each other. That has been a UDS then 2 days later a blood or hair. Just this week, Monday I had a PeTh blood test, then today a UDS. So in 2 days I spent $245 on screens. Not alot to some, but to this $10.50/hour wage earner it is a literal fortune. And ALL are negative, no ambiguity on any test. Again, grateful and thankful for the opportunity to keep my license and to be clean/sober and working on honest recovery. Just seems like there would be a more fiscally responsible way to allow those in recovery to "recover" their lives. Peace.

Funny you should mention that...I was at my TnPap mandated support group this morning and I mentioned my testing concerns yadda yadda. I was told by at least 3 RNs that are in my group and have been around a while that there are 26 tests a year. Two hair, 4 blood, 20 urine. They are "random" as to the when of the test, but not the number per year. If that is true or even partly true, then this is voluntary insanity. Again, super grateful that I still have a license, even a probationary one. It is just hard not to see this a punitive system, out to make $$. Peace.

Thanks for the support. I know that I "voluntarily" signed up for this, but I sure wish I had more information from others or forums that could have given me a clear heads up as to what I was getting myself into. I want to be a good nurse, a healthy nurse, and an employed nurse but the stress of the monitoring program logistically and financially is emotionally overwhelming some days. Thanks again for listening, and for the format!

Not encouraging information out there about the "randomness" of drug screens or the costs associated wirh these programs. I am in TnPap and signed my agreement mid July. I have had 11 tests since then. In Tennessee under Affinity, UDS are $70, Peth are $130+$45 collection fee, and hair are $250+$35 collection fee. Of these, I have had 1 Peth, 1 hair, and 9 UDS. That is $1085 on drug screens alone in less than 90 days. In TN we are required to be in a Birchwood support group that costs $300 a quarter. So I have paid $600 since July because you pay in advance. With my initial eval of $575, the $1000 for IOP, the twice a week mandatory therapist visits (have to have 30 sessions), and the random screens ; I am all in at about $4000 for less than 3 months. My contract is through July 2020. At this rate, drug screens alone will cost around $12,000 over 3 years?? I make $10.50 an hour at my non-nursing job, and I grateful to have this job; don't get me wrong, but seriously?! Even with a nursing job this would ludicrous! I am not by any means saying that my behavior was excusable or that I am not appreciative of being able to have a program that will allow me to work as an RN someday. I take 100% of the responsibility for my actions and my recovery. However, accountability aside, this seems over the top excessive to me. I have 2 instances where I have had a UDS and then 2 days later had a Peth or a Hair test?! FYI all of my screens have been negative so no reason that I can see for additional screens so close together? Thanks for rhe venue to speak, sometimes it helps just to vent a little. Peace.

I see that you asked this a ways back but yes I did work successfully and without any issues until my case was taken up by the Tn BON. I chose to leave the hospital I was at rather than take a leave. That way I can attempt at rehire when I am eligible to return to practice. I knew once I received the Consent Order from the Attorney General I would have to cease practice until TnPap agreed I was safe to return anyway. But ultimately yes to answer your question. I worked with no issues until I was told not to. Hope all is well with you and I know how hard waiting for that shoe to drop! God bless!! Bluffcityrn

Dont know what you have done so far but I am very familiar wirh the TNBON and Tnpap. If you have not talked to the investigator yet and you are not getting an attorney; then get your drug test and your proof together. The first thing that happens is that an investigator with the state will contact you. I can tell you that I was fired and it took the investigator 1 whole YEAR to contact me. I explained the situation, no proodf of diversion and I was given a reprimand in my file. The 2nd time from a different employer when I was fired, again no diversion just my bipolar out of control; I was turned in the the TNBON and part of the agreement with the state to keep my license was to become a participant in TnPap. All I can say is that it is exhausting and confusing. TnPap Monitoring I mean, you are always terrified that you are not doing exactly what is expected when it is expected. I have been told it gets easier. And it is definitely better than losing your license all together. Anyways, just to reiterate in Tn the first step is for an investigator to contact you directly to get your side of the story. If you were asked to take the UDS because of a discrepancy or something "fishy" at the job then be prepared to be referred to TnPap. And IF that is where you think it is headed then I would ask for TnPap services BEFORE the state MAKES that the only option. You can keep your license from probation and even from suspension if you are proactive! Good luck, praying for you! Bluffcityrn

My prescribed Naproxen for degenerative knee popped as PCP? ***** So they wanted me to refrain and retest or spend another $100 on further testing of the B sample. So I sucked it up and did not take Naproxen for 8 days, then they came back with nah we dont need you to retest unless it happens again?? Ummm what? So you want me to possibly have a 2nd positive test for a banned substance that will definitely cause me to have another $550 evaluation along with a $260 blood/urine test which will extend out my 3 year monitoring to 5 years? I am so confused and beyond irritated with these jokers. I have seen the positive of TnPap, I have seen lives of good nurses SAVED. But I am having a hard time right now seeing the end of the rainbow; it seems more like a $$ making process rather than a recovery one. *slightly bent out of shape, sorry for the rant*

"Party Pooper"? Please hon, you have the same right to be included in your spouse's extracurricular activities as anyone at anytime! Truly supportive spouses who are not envious of the time and attention spent away from the home and family is RARE! Being PRESENT, and understanding the demands of nursing school without being resentful, makes you the kind of spouse that will be able to help him deal with all of enevitable ups and downs that are in his future. Keep up the good work! My hats off to you! BUT (and there is always a BUT involved in Nursing, yes pun intended) you are a person with emotional needs as well. Strong relationships are built on the foundation of MUTUAL respect. He should respect your need to have some fun and to share in the festivities. After all his availability is probably limited at best and time spent with his peers in a social setting can make a huge difference for all involved. Jealousy of peers and study time is a real struggle for many people. I was witness to several very unfortunate breakups of couples during school because they were unprepared for the stress and time commitment a nursing program brings. Be honest with your spouse! Be open about your sincere desire to get to know the folks he is in the trenches with. Perhaps suggest having or hosting a family event for his group (bowling, afternoon picnic, backyard bbq, study groups at your home?) Whatever you decide remember you have rights and needs. Just because he is a Nursing Student, does not give him the right to abdicate his responsibility to you. He is still your spouse and should make you a priority daily!

Wow! I knew Tennessee would be low on the rankings but 48th overall! And 40th in opportunity? Maybe I should consider a move to "bluer" state! Thanks for the link, VERY informative!

I too am in the cyperspace vortex of online job applications! As a new RN, with only clinical school experience it seems like my email is jammed with automated "thank you will let you know"s. I have applied for about 50 positions at the 4 major hospitals in my area and was feeling exceedingly frustrated! But I will say happily to my surprise I did receive a call from an actual human being to schedule an interview for a post trauma position where I did my clinical rotation for Adult Health 2, only 2 days after submitting the online app. I am going to the interview on Wed morning, God willing it will be fruitful! I have found though that the you can leave lots of messages for recruiters and still not have any bites. But persistance is what got us through nursing school so I guess that is what it will take to get us jobs :) Good Luck!