RNwannbe

I'm interested to see how the transition to Texas went. I recently graduated with my BSN and moved to Austin. I have a job with a Physical Rehab Hospital as a clinical liaison and love it. There is actually a specialty position open right now for a Nurse Liaison with Oncology experience.

Thanks for everyones input. I received the order in the mail and it stated the following. I will be required to call in Mon-Friday of every week for the next two years. For the first 3 months I will be tested once a week. For the next 3 months I will be tested twice a month. For the following 12 months I will be tested once every 3 months. This won't be a problem. I already stopped the minimal drinking I was doing even though I don't have to start this monitoring until August.

So what's all this I'm reading about false positives if I drink a non alcoholic beer?

So what's all this I'm reading about false positives if I drink a non alcoholic beer?

Hello all, I just graduated with my BSN. Originally the Texas BON had ordered me to take part in the TPAPN program once I graduated because of a couple legal infractions from 11 and 6 years ago. The charges were possession of Adderall (expired prescription) and a DUI. This morning my attorney and I sat before the BON at a Disciplinary and Eligiblity hearing. The goal was to have the TPAPN order amended to something with less restrictions. After I presented my case they agreed that I don't fit the mold for a TPAPN participant and all the restrictions that go along with it. I basically just have to agree to 2 years of random drug screenings and take a jurisprudence course online. I assume that the drug screenings are exactly the same as the ones that someone in TPAPN has to consent to. I know that initially I have to call in every weekday morning in order to see if I have to go give a urine sample. So here are my questions. - Will I have to call in every weekday morning for the entire 2 years? - I understand that at first I'll be giving 3-4 urine samples weekly. Will this ever become less frequent? - Although I will abstain from alcohol, will it be possible that they make me give a sample on a weekend or holiday? I'm concerned about going out of town and things like this. - How much time do I have to give a urine sample from the time of the phone call? I'm hoping someone on TPAPN can help shed some light on this for me. Thanks.

Hey all. I'll cut to the chase. I was in a masters program for psych when I bailed out to pursue my BSN. I graduate in May 2014. I wanted more career options and nursing seemed to be the way to go. I plan on pursuing a NP degree but in which specialty I am now unsure. I really enjoy mental health and have family and friends with mental health practices, so I would be assured a job. I also am obsessed with acute care ( ICU, ED, CVICU, NICU). It is all so awesome to me and I don't want to limit myself. So here is my question: Is it possible for me to specialize as a FNP and earn additional credentials/education in mental health that would allow me to practice in both acute care and mental health? Or do I just need to man up, pick a specialty and run with it? In my fantasy world I'd have an NP and my full time job would be at a hospital ICU while working part time at a pediatric mental health clinic. Can I make this fantasy a reality? Thanks

Thanks Zack, The offense occurred 4 years ago. I still have a year of my BSN program left, then two years of ICU experience I need, plus 2-3 years of CRNA school, it would be 9-10 years since the date from the offense before I'd even be licensed as a CRNA in Texas. I am not eligible for expungement. In Texas a dwi that you've been convicted of will stay on your record until pigs fly. The BON already knows about my DWI. It is on record. They're allowing me to practice as a nurse once I pass my NCLEX.

Hey guys. I was inquiring about a CRNA program and I told the director that I had a previous DWI from years ago. I will graduate with my BSN this year and the BON has already reviewed my case and is letting me sit for the exam but I'll be on a TPAPN order for a while. I told all this to the director of said program. Her response was as follows. "You are in a difficult situation. Unfortunately, we are now learning of some situations where insurance companies are refusing to pay CRNAs with a history of drug & alcohol abuse and it is also at times an issue with malpractice insurance carriers. I am not sure a nursing career where you will rely on payment from 3rd party carriers is the best for you." Any suggestions or information on this issue would be greatly appreciated.

Hey all. I have a bachelors degree in Kinesiology and I'm currently in the last year of a BSN program as well. My goal is to work towards a CRNA. I have read a lot regarding the prereq's for CRNA programs but I was hoping to get some information from the horses mouth. Is there anything someone can tell me regarding steps I can take to prepare myself for the application process? Unfortunately I only have a 3.45 GPA, but I'm trying to get that up. Is there a hospital job (non cert) that could give me experience? Should I speak with a CRNA at the hospital? Are there cert's I can get that will help me along the way? Any tips on what I can do in these preliminary stages would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Yes I worked in Home Health Marketing and I've thought of that. The thing that mostly bothers me is that I am trying to get a couple years of experience in an acute care setting in order to apply to CRNA programs. This puts a damper on that goal for obvious reasons. What about something like cardiac rehab or any nurse rehab job for that matter.

Well congrats for completing the program. Were you able to find work during the 6 months of not being able handle meds?

Thanks. I'm also thinking about areas of nursing that doesn't involve administering meds. What about cardiac rehab nursing or any nursing more involved with physical therapy or fitness? Any thoughts?

I have read post after post of nurses on TPAPN because they smoke marijuana or they had an addiction. My case is different. I got a DWI 4 years ago and once I pass my licensing exam in one year I will be placed on TPAPN. I am not addicted to anything nor have I ever done any recreational drugs. I rarely even drink and I have probably had the total of a six pack in the last year. I don't think it's fair at all that I have to go through this but I understand that the BON is here to provide safety to the community. As if I"m a threat!!! Do I have any options? Does anyone know if the TPAPN restrictions are universal? Are they all 2 years or is it looked at on a case by case basis? Help!

Hey all. Almost exactly four years ago I got a DWI. In 2002 I was charged with possession of adderall but it was dismissed. In a year and a half I will have my BSN and sit for my nursing exam. Here is the kicker. It was so difficult to get the BON to clear me to simply sit for the exam and once I pass I will have restrictions on my license. However, I can't get a clear answer from anyone on what I can expect. I know that each case is judged differently but I was also told by a nurse that I may have to do 2 years in this program and for the first 6 months I won't be able to administer medication. So my question is.....what can I expect as a newly licensed RN on TPAPN? Length of program, restrictions, finding a job etc. Thanks.

Thanks for the responses everyone. I have a couple close family friends that are executives in two separate hospital systems in Houston. I didn't want to have to call in a favor, but it looks like I may need to. My clinical instructor says that my clinical site would hire me with no problem too. So I don't know what to expect. I've heard conflicting information. I can go online right now and probably find over a hundred RN jobs that need to be filled in my city alone. So I have a hard time believing that it will be extremely difficult to get hired. It may take a bit of determination but I'm persistent lol. Thanks again.