unreal RN

Mercury sphygmomanometers for manual BPs above every patient's bed. That was the only thing available to take BPs at the time in med/surg. We would have to go on a hunt for large or peds cuffs if they were needed.

Well, I've always been employed and I've always been able to pay my bills as a nurse....but I'm tired and still have about 10 years before I can retire. If I had it to do all over again I would probably study ultrasonography or radiology tech.

When I worked in homecare I went online and found policies from other agencies and used those as templates and tweaked them to our needs. It worked really well.

I was a medical assistant in a doctors office many many years ago... before I became a nurse. I always introduced myself as a medical assistant and my name tag specified that, as well. Still, there was always at least one person...usually a front office person who referred to the MAs as nurses even after being corrected. I think that is just the 'go to' title for clinical staff who work in the back office and assist the doctors...at least it was in my situation.

I took a pre-employment lie detector test 20-some years ago. Even though I passed it was an absolutely horrible experience. I would not do it again. I think, at this point, if I were told I had to take a lie detector test to keep my license I would tell the BON exactly what they could do with my license and find something else to do.

I don't reside in NYS but if you had no arrest/criminal convictions related to the situation and the new employment is not healthcare related, and the employer does not accept medicaid/medicare as a payor source then you might be OK. However, if you list your previous employment in nursing on your application that may prompt them to do a license search and they would see your suspended license. Whether that would matter to them...who knows?

Probably all of them.

Making that information open to the public is absolutely wrong. I don't understand why they have to do this.

One thing I don't understand is why it's necessary to post meeting minutes to the BON website with the nurse's diagnosis be it substance abuse, mental health, or both. Some of them are pretty detailed with suicide attempts. etc. Replete with the nurse's home address in the minutes. Why do those things have to be a matter of public knowledge? Can't they just say license 'probation' or 'suspended', or 'revoked' without hashing out all the details? I don't see how that protects the public.

I was involved with ISNAP back in 2009-2012. I never had any work issues and no legal issues whatsoever. None. I sought help through ISNAP because that's what I thought I HAD to do. Mine what strictly an issue with alcohol and I had no restrictions on my monitoring agreement as far as narcotics or areas of nursing that I could work in, shifts, etc. It was confidential and I never had to deal with the board of nursing. About 2 years into my monitoring agreement I had to leave my job due to a family illness. I had already satisfied more than the 6 months of working as a nurse requirement. All of my reports from employer, addictionist, therapist, AA sponsor were all glowing...I was a model participant. No relapses, no missed check ins, no positive drug screens. When I started looking for a new job I had a terrible time getting a job because I was in ISNAP and even though I had no restrictions no one would hire me. With the support of my addictionist, therapist, and AA sponsor I petitioned to end my monitoring agreement at 2 years. They gave me a firm NO. It was clear to me at the start of my agreement that if I were to not complete me agreement per the contract that was signed then my case would be turned over to the BON to handle and it would not longer be a confidential program. Back then Indiana was a less punitive state for monitoring. I don't believe that is the case now. Walking away from my monitoring agreement would have meant losing my nursing license.

I don't know how it is in other states, but in Indiana if you have to deal with the BON they upload all of your case info to their website for anyone to see. Included are the nurse's home address, all diagnoses of substance disorder or mental illness, arrests, etc.

Does this eliminate the need for having a sheet signed at every meeting or is this in addition to having a sheet signed?

What company? Is it still affinity or someone else or is ISNAP now something entirely different? I'm grateful I never had to deal with that horse ****. That is absolutely insane.

I take a B complex vitamin daily and did so the duration on my contract. I never tested positive for anything. I never had a hair test...only urine, but I can't imagine that would make a difference.

I'm not certain what IPRP is. I know that you can download the monthly and quarterly forms from the ISNAP website. The COC for drug screens will be at the collection site. When it's time to test Affinity will give you a number and a sheet you can print off to take with you to the collection site. As far as reports...if I remember correctly, you upload your AA/NA attendance sheet monthly. Your worksite monitor, therapist, AA/NA sponsor, addictionist forms are sent in quarterly.

Unless you have some sort of criminal past related to your alcohol/Rx amphetamine usage that you have to answer for, I WOULDN'T SAY A THING. Go on about your recovery and share it with no one.

When I was in ISNAP there was one time in 3 years that I tested 2 days in a row.

I'm in Indiana, as well. You can have the 40hrs increased with the approval of your treatment team. I never tried to get it increased because I wasn't interested in working more than 40hrs/week. When I was in ISNAP, my worksite monitor had to write in the average number of hours worked per week on the form she completed quarterly.

I completed a 3 year ISNAP RMA in late 2012. I was diagnosed with alcohol dependence. I self reported because I wanted help. I had no employment or legal issues whatsoever. I did not deal with the BON...only ISNAP. At the 2 year mark I petitioned for early release from the program due to wanting to make a job change and being unable to find another job due to being in ISNAP. I had absolutely no issues in the program and had glowing reports from my addictionologist, work site monitor, therapist, and AA sponsor. They were all onboard with my early release. I got a big fat NO. No reason given, just NO. I have heard of the rare participant getting early release, but by and large everyone has to complete their time.

I'm not a smoker, but what state requires this? That is total BS. Are those nurses only supposed to attend non-smoking AA meetings? I never attended an AA meeting where I didn't have to pass through a group of smokers just to get inside the building. Total nonsense and overreach.

Do you all have it stated in your contracts how many drug screens you will have per year? I mean, good grief! If you get picked 7 times in 2 weeks, how many do you do in a year's time? That sounds absolutely ridiculous.

I had the same two codes with my testing. I'm not sure what your doc was (or if you have one) but I believe the less expensive test is either just for etg or a panel without etg and the more expensive is a panel plus etg. Alcohol was my doc, so I was always tested for etg. I was in the Indiana program, as well.

Did you discuss nurse:patient ratios when you interviewed? Those ratios are unsafe. Period. I know a lot of hospitals staff like that, but it's plain wrong. You might talk with your recruiter to see if anything can be done. Always clarify the staffing ratios and get it in writing before you accept an assignment. I feel for you. I'm going to take a stab in the dark and guess that you are working at a HCA facility?

Yes, Indiana is the same way. Their program isn't nearly a punitive as many other states. If you have a positive uds, they will typically tack on another 3 months to your contract. They will continue to work with you if you continue to make some sort of effort. However, their leniency has allowed some nurses in the program to run amok before finally giving them the kibosh.

Things have been great! It's nice to pick and choose what job(s) I want without having to explain my ISNAP situation.