she71

Now all you have to do is be patient. Easier said than done, I know it. Keep good records of your evaluations, dates,times,outcomes,etc.., as there are so many hoops to jump through getting shuffled in the crowd is easy. IPN are is generally a good group of people to work with and they do help you to maintain licensure so you may continue practicing, a good thing, right? You will have contacts through IPN and your nurse support groups that are priceless, they will help get you through this. I am currently monitored by IPN. My situation is a little unique but so is every contract. IPN will always be available to direct you and get answers to your questions. Your case workers assisstants are rather resourceful. I'll be thinking of you. Good Luck and Good Health:)

Hi! Your state board of nursing and licensure should be able to help with that because there is no doubt it will come up as part of your background/criminal information that you will be asked to provide prior to licensure. You should be able to simply go online to your state department of health website and do a little research on your own before making any calls. Good Luck and Good Health. Also congrats on getting closer and closer to that graduation.:)

I am in the IPN, Intervention Project for Nurses, in Florida. I am familiar with several intervention programs in other states. They are not universal though. Each state has their own requirements and monitoring practices. They all do have AA, urinalysis, and State Board involvement though. It most usually depends on your offense and outcome of evaluations as to what is required. It is also costly which really compiles problems if you are unable to practice for a lenghth of time. This also depends on the offense. Many people on this website share great information and really strenghthen and encourage each other. I'm glad you joined.:). Are you in the process of becoming refered to a particular program or thinking of taking this step on your own? There is an individual that frequents this sight. His name is JACK. He would be a good source of encouragement for you either way.

Sounds like good things to come friend!

It's terrible this is happening to you. Was it just the amount of meds pulled or are there questions about documenting the use,time,effects, etc. whatever your facility is requiring you to document? Are you currently recovering from any addiction that may cause management "uneducated" suspicion? I know an administrator of a snf that used to call people who were flagging nurses due to their past addiction issues "uneducated ". She actually taught recoverey to others in administrative and supervising positions that this may not happen to her nurses. It seems like it could be similar in your case? I wonder why no drug testing for you. Why not give you the opportunity to prove your honor and correct your error? I'm sorry for you. You must be feeling overwhelmed right now and probably a little angry too. Good Luck and Good Health. Will be thinking of you.:) Update Us Soon.

Wow! That is a lot to handle. It seems like you may have to take some time to yourself regardless of your sick leave evaluation. You have to stay well to keeep going like you do. I wish you well and think that some time to yourself may clear your mind some and give a chance to think about your options and make some decisions to improve your situation. Good Luck to you and good health to you and your family.:heartbeat

One year clean? That's really awesome. I bet you worked really hard for it and honesty was probably a great part of your success. You probably feel like honesty could incriminate you right. My heart goes out to you about this choice and wish I could help. I remember a verse from the bible that always seemed to butt into my life in good ways and bad too. Was something like... what is done in darkness; is always brought to light. I would hate for this to haunt you 10 years from now when your licensed, experienced and have 10+ years of sobriety. That would really be aweful fo you. Good Luck and Good Health :)

Why are you wondering about "WINE SAUCES"? What do you mean how "careful" you should be? Definately worry if you don't plan on being just as "careful" at home as you are on vacation. Good luck and stay healthy. Also consider talkiing with your case worker, just dont mention the "wondering how careful should I be?" part.:)

Why would you post a question like this on a recovery site? Especially with the little smoking and clapping "smilies". Very strange of you.

It's nice to hear about nurses succeeding and completeing BON restrictions and or monitoring. I assume it wasn't just luck that you finished, I'm sure you worked very hard. Now that you know what the consequences of drinking could be, losing jobs, family, freedom in your career, abstinance is the best policy to go by. I'm glad you were quick to recognize that drinking, even one or two, could wake up the old habits and behaviors with alcohol you have experienced before. I'm so glad you're doing well, right now and today. Good Luck and Good Health:)

Ariel, for you to feel as though you are being judged was not my intention. Please don't. I simply wanted to bring to your attention that what has happened is what one can expect if coming to work that way, in any business or career, the response would be similar. Healthcare is not an easy field and the expectations of us are high as well as the consequences very heavy. Good luck and good health.

This was hardly judgemental treatment. The truth of the matter is that she could describe herself as "messed-up". Now that she sees it for herself its time to take charge and make changes regardless of a suspension. The suspension has happened and there is nothing that will change that.

Not judging at all. Just re-visiting her description of "messed-up" that day. Sometimes it takes an outside source to make you think. Im sorry she has to address the consequences of suspention at work, unfortunately her hands are tied about it no matter what she does her suspension is based on the employers perception of the event. Thats all. Not Personal At All.

I dont think the "education" route will work. You are a nurse, nurses are educated in this area are they not? A lawyer seems like a great idea but you cant fight city hall. You will be given the choice to enter IPN that you may continue to nurse or not. This will be your choice and your choice only. You can be labeled as someone who has abused drugs and not someone dependant or addicted to drugs. Either way you wont be the one making that decision. IPN evaluators, facilitators, therapists will all have a role in determining your level of monitoring but they cant effect your ability to overcome and continue to work successfully, that will be up to you. All that will be required of you is attainable. There are a lot of IPN nurses that are successful. At first everything is very confusing and it seems impossible but it is the only way. You will meet lots of nurses that can direct you through dealing with IPN and adhering to your contract, take all there help and appreciate the fact that IPN is available to us, it seems we would be S O L when it comes to working as a nurse any other way. Good Luck. Things will come at you fast, just remember that you are not alone.:)

You will get nowhere fast. Seriously. If you agree to the monitoring, you agree to the monitoring. I know this is tough and it seems unfair but it is the only way. I have been through a lot with the monitoring system provided to me in Florida but I have come to realize that if I want to work I have got to adhere to their plan. You have to find some way to turn that anger into positivity and fast so you can move on. This to shall pass, right. :) You can do this, there are a lot of nurses that have experienced what seem to be unfair requirements but they have to overcome it. You are a nurse. Use your faith and desire to work to help get you through this. AA meetings are the least of your troubles at this point, go to them if thats what they want you to do otherwise you could just give up and find another career and let them win. I hope you stay strong!:):):)

Each monitoring contract lays out expectations and requirements. Monitoring reports, urinalysis, lenghth of contracts, etc.. Unfortunately when you enter one of these contracts you are promising to adhere to these requirements and the punishment, so to speak, is the chance of losing your status in the contract. You should research your contract and any manuals or policy information you have obtained from your case manager. Have all the information and make more contacts to your case manager. Good Luck. I hope you feel better too:)

Unfortunately the monitoring provisions are mostly the same state-to-state. You can be licensed in other states but there will most certainly be restrictions or requirements expected of you. The monitoring groups use spacific guidlines for offenses. The requirements may vary according to the offense but the monitoring is going to be applicable to you. State boards realize that sometimes families relocate and there are special considerations for those who must move. I would begin searching for states that welcome transfers from other monitoring states before making a decision to move and I would also describe this situation as a need to relocate rather than wanting to move to have less restrictions on my license. Good Luck. Florida, South Carolina and West Virginia are three states In which I have friends that have transfered under contracts and the move was very smooth and they are all working and pleased with their monitoring as well as the BON.

Its awesome that you are seeking help. You are absolutely not alone. Many nurses are going through the same things and feelings you are. Its embarassing, scary, frusterating, confusing. We all experience these feelings. Therapy and meetings can be very bittersweet at first but they are very necessary and detrimental to your success. You aretaking the right steps in the right direction. Other nurses, who you will meet at these meetings, are going to be able to validate your feelings andhelp you organizee your recovery. I am in the IPN program for nurses in Florida right now and I love the friendship and success Im experiencing. Keep your chin up and know that the friends you'll make will last a lifetime so will recovery if you really want it.

Hi. I am a nurse in Florida. I participate in the Fl IPN program. We would be happy to have more great nurses in Florida and Florida is a great place to live and work however, this could take some time. Dont get frusterated. You would have to go through the Fl BON with all your current recovery progress and let them refer you. There are other ways, I'm only giving you info on what I know is the quickest and most efficient way. Once the BON refers you, this can be done long distance through the mail, you dont have to attend a hearing unless you choose to do so, you will contact IPN and enter at this point. Make lots of calls and ask lots of questions. When the monitoring is done in the case of drugs, prescription abuse or otherwise, there usually is a 5 year contract. I say usually very loosely as IPN contracts are set up to reflect your needs and they do try to adhere to monitoring provisions that result in success. Good Luck to you and I hope that you make it to Florida:coollook:

A narcotic restriction does present a problem in clinical nursing however I know many nurses in recovery programs that have fought their way around it and are working. Dialysis, as already mentioned is a perfect job for this situation. I also have a friend that works in the corrections division as a nurse at the county jail intake as well as in the jail itself. There are positions in the wellfare and state social service departments for nurses in clinics and education. You have to think about all your strenghths and the areas of nursing you enjoy. PS: Corrections Departments often pay well and the shifts are as flexible as you. Good Luck, I know you will prevail !!!

Hi. I am a nurse in Florida. I read through these questions and concerns from other nurses quite often. I recently began to "log in" and reply. You described yourself as "messed up" at work. The medications you were on are narcotic and even with a script, you were "messed up". How long do you feel a company should pay you? And is it unreasonable for a company to suspend you. You put the company and others around you at risk the day you showed up at work "messed up". Lets be real about this. I'm sorry if this is not the response you would like to get.