evandavid24

See, now I understand better your support of the program; in your case (as I've mentioned) the program was quite possibly a life saver. And the fact that you self reported is big. This is all being mandated for me, and it's hard to accept the stringent terms of the contract; and the BON's treatment of the nurses appealing for mercy or 2nd chances I did find appalling and merciless. So far this has been my experience, and of course has thus shaped my perspective. I'll have no choice but to do what they ask if I want my RN license. I will not even be allowed to have a glass of wine with my wife over dinner. I object to that, but it's futile to fight it. I do salute your recovery, sounds pretty frightening the place you were in.

I have already appealed the decision this month in Tampa; there are no options other than to find a lawyer to fight it or enter the program and get my license. I lean toward the latter. ...I'm not suggesting that my punishment is harsher than others' may be, but I am saying that in my estimation the degree to which they are punishing me is extreme. Remember, in 7 years of being a nurse, I have one charge (disorderly intox). It is the impingement on my personal freedom that ultimately I object to most adamantly. The IPN webpage states IPN is for those nurses who the board deems may be unsafe to practice their profession. There is no evidence that I am unsafe to practice as a nurse. Still, I am curious, what is the reason, Diva RN, that you are in the IPN program? You seem to be something of an advocate for the program, and I'm led to believe that you are really benefitting from it on a personal level.

Indeed, I have contacted several administrative attorneys and they do concur that fighting the BON is practically useless...to diva: you are paying about 100 bucks a months ($1200/yr) on top of your evaluation. How much did you pay for an evaluation? And finally, I might ask you: why are you in the program? You haven't yet mentioned why you are being disciplined

Once again, I say that I'm sure IPN is a useful program for some. However, the treatment plan they have laid out for me and the 2 yr contract is as costly and time consuming as if I was being disciplined for a DUI. The punishment is far harsher in my particular circumstance than the crime. I got a disorderly intox charge for urinating outside in November of 2008. I've been licensed as an LPN since 2004, and now that I have passed the RN NCLEX exam, they are withholding my license until the eval and contract are in force. The state of FL already knew about the DUI (1998) and breach of peace (2003, also for urinating outside, very ridiculous, I know)...so the issue was that I didn't report the dis intox to the state, and now there are 3 arrests in 13 yrs. So, they want me to be abstinent completely, attend all these support groups, AA, and submit to about 14 random urinalyses throughout a yr. Do you think that sounds like fitting punishment? I noticed at the state board hearings that they were throwing the book at their "fallen" nurses left and right, and very few people were granted amnesty or a realistic chance of regaining an unrestricted license to practice nursing again...seemed rather brutal and unforgiving.

just found out that I cannot get my RN license until under contract w/IPN. This involves: at least 14 random drug/alcohol screens per yr at a cost of 45$ per screen. Also 6 "educational courses" at what cost? They "didn't know". Plus weekly nurse support group mtgs, plus wkly AA meetings, plus reporting IPN involvement to any employer. Contract is 2 yrs with possible termination after 1 yr if compliant with everything! All this for urinating outside and getting charged with Disorderly Intox in November of 2008! I am still in shock over this, am considering getting an atty. I just can't fathom this kind of treatment. Never, in 7 yrs of my LPN license has an empoyer expressed anything but high marks for my performance. Someone must be making some serious bank on this situation.

That is absolutely draconian. How is it possible that groups of nursing have not gotten together to protest this nazi-like treatment? It is frightening the power and influence they (state boards of nursing and IPN) have over the autonomy of nurses. If anyone has a petition to repeal these drastic punitive judgments, or some kind of lobbying group to eliminate the power of these boards, please let me know. I'm interested. I think in my case I'm just going to have to look elsewhere for employment; too many hoops to jump thru, too much red tape and bureaucracy and too much sacrifice of personal freedom.

Hello, I am wondering if anyone has some insight or experience with an issue with which I am currently contending. The story in a nutshell: I have been an LPN and am currently licensed in the state of Florida to practice as such. In 2008 I was arrested for Disorderly Intox for urinating in some bushes at a public venue (misdemeanor). I did not report this violation to the state board simply out of ignorance that I had to do so. Additionally, when I applied for my LPN license in 2004 I had to report a DUI from 1998 and a Breach of Peace (also for urinating outside) from 2003. In July of this year I took and passed the RN NCLEX exam after spending thousands of dollars and much time getting thru a program. Now the state says that I must enter an IPN program for alcohol abuse, although after the evaluation that I just had last week determined I am safe to practice but should be monitored for alcohol use for 2 years! I cannot believe this. Random urinalyses, plus weekly counseling sessions at an enormous cost, not to mention the black eye it gives me as a prospective employee. My question is: should I agree to enter the program, or just find a new career?