LStanfield

What exactly does IPN stand for? I've had a similar experience with TNPAP (Tennessee Peer Assistance Program). Took meds on my day off, random urine test when I came back to work, idiot evaluator couldn't do his job right and caused me to lose months of work, hair follicle test clean, every random/surprise urine test since then has been clean... Luckily didn't have narc restriction or requirement to enter rehab facility but I do have to attend a peer meeting once a week and not many jobs allow me to leave in the middle of a shift... Also not many job opportunities in my area. Actually I live on the state border so most jobs are in the wrong state... Go figure. Anyway, here I am, without a job, and suddenly, after almost 20 months into my 3yr contract, someone makes an accusation and I'm fed up. I've had it. The next step is mandatory 6 months in rehab, narcs restriction, start over with a 5 year contract, and not so much as an investigation. Murphy's law has been my life for the last few years now. I'm honestly ready to give up on my license except I just saw a guy on here that I'm hoping can answer some questions for me. I hate to hear that you've had a hard time with your state's 'assistance' program. Have you noticed that they seem to think they are doing us a HUGE favor and that we should be more grateful???

Oh no no no!!! I just meant that we're TOLD not to sleep with our babies... Bad things that CAN happen and all... I didn't mean for it to sound like I don't think they should sleep with us... I still haven't gotten them all kicked out of the bed yet... LOL!

JACK!!! You are EXACTLY the person I've been looking for! :bowingpur I have a few questions for you but for some reason I can't PM??? Please contact me however you can ASAP. I've taken some bad advice (nothing to do with diverting drugs) and I need to know what my options are and if I have a chance of staying out of a peer program... Please Jack, this is a "Nursing Licensure Emergency"!!!

Had my first child at 17, second child at 21, went to nursing school, graduated with my RN at 23 and had my third child at 25. I was very mature for my age and very interested in learning as much as possible about how to be a good mom. I had no problem understanding the main things about being a mom: Don't shake the baby, he/she shouldn't sleep with you, breastfeed if you can for as long as you can, when and how to introduce certain foods, NEVER feed a baby water (formula was different a long time ago and most parents DID give us water between feedings but NOW formula is made pretty watered down already so if baby is hungry, give him/her formula even if he/she 'shouldn't still be hungry'; babies need the nutrition and the calories, babies don't need to be rinsed out so that their blood sugar drops), sugar water is NOT the best for constipation, a teaspoon of prune juice in a 2 oz bottle of formula IS... I learned all that... I think after these initial points (along with the ones already mentioned) have been introduced, parents need to be encouraged to continue learning. No matter what you learn you can always learn more. I wish someone had told me the not so obvious things about having children... Like how first time parents, especially young parents, are likely to expect the baby/child to grow up too quickly. (They don't have anything to compare with.) I didn't really have any idea how socially mature or physically coordinated children could be and I made the mistake of expecting too much out of my baby. For example, I didn't know that an 18 month old shouldn't be asked to clean up toys or messes. He especially shouldn't be expected to know how to do it right! I didn't know that some dyslexia is common and completely normal for a 5 year old. I didn't realize that time outs should be limited to one minute per year of age (two minutes for a two year old). Suggest that the parents-to-be join babycenter or what-to-expect websites (if they have access) for free so they can continually be aware of what milestones baby should reach at what age. Remind them that even though moms and grandmothers may try to help and may be convinced that they know more than you, research has come a long way and we now know that a lot of stuff that we 'used to do' is now a bad idea. And just for the record, my oldest son is now 9 and he seems to have turned out alright so far despite what I might have done to him:D... Thank God!

Anyone who has experience with programs for nurses who have substance abuse issues please contact me? In the past I have taken bad advice from people and I have gotten myself into a messy situation. I'd rather not explain all of the details publicly but if anyone might be familiar with how these programs work, I would really appreciate a private message. Then I would feel better explaining my situation more thoroughly. Thank you to anyone who takes the time to respond!!!